Decision-Making in the ICU
2024 19 Apr
Decision-making in the ICU is a multifaceted process that involves clinical assessment, collaboration among multidisciplinary teams, ethical considerations, evidence-based practice, communication, and continuous adaptation to evolving clinical scenarios. Balancing the complex factors requires expertise, teamwork, and a patient-centred approach....Read more
Dealing With Uncertainty in ICU Decision-Making: A Practical Guide
2024 19 Apr
When the stakes are high, and the path ahead is uncertain, the decisions made, especially if a patient continues to worsen, can be sources of self-torment and can haunt us for a long time. Our goal is to suggest ways to steer decision-making for intensivists in the face of uncertainty by proposing a clear, practical, stepwise approach through...Read more
The Least Bad Decision: Crisis Standards of Care After the Pandemic
2024 19 Apr
COVID-19 was an emergency that lasted for years and left few regions of the world untouched. The pandemic shone a spotlight on both the strengths and weaknesses of our disaster planning. What worked, what did not, and how can we better plan for future emergencies? The COVID-19 pandemic forced hospitals and health systems around the world...Read more
Decision-Making in the PICU: Ethical Aspects in Paediatric Critical Patients
2024 19 Apr
This article highlights some particularities to be considered when making decisions in paediatric ICUs and the role of parents (or legal guardians) and the physician in the dilemma involved in paediatric decision-making. In these times, an ill individual is believed to be an autonomous moral agent to make decisions regarding...Read more
Decision-Making in Uncertainty: Time-Limited Trials
2024 19 Apr
An overview of time-limited trials (TLT), collaborative agreements between the treating team and the patient to apply life-sustaining therapies to help reduce prognostic uncertainty and foster trust between teams and patients and/or patient surrogates. Introduction Medical indication and a patient's consent form the basis of every diagnostic...Read more
Patient and Family Partnerships in the ICU: History, Benefits, and Strategies for the Future
2024 19 Apr
The seamless integration of patient- and family-centred care in the critical care setting remains elusive. This review discusses the history and benefits of patient- and family-centred care, plus strategies for partnering with patients and families in the critical care setting. Introduction Patient and family partnerships in the...Read more
When Hospitals Shrink: Preventing Loss of Hospital Beds Through Effective Bed Management
2024 19 Apr
With an ageing population and more sophisticated treatments, hospitals must become more bed-efficient or risk contracting. Strategic management is needed since ineffective bed management can reduce bed availability. Introduction There are multiple challenges for healthcare institutions in the coming decades. Important demographic changes...Read more
Beyond the Monitors: Redefining Connection in Intensive Care Family Meetings
2024 19 Apr
Family dynamics in ICU meetings are complex and often affected by emotions, stress, and differing perspectives. Effective communication and collaboration amid family members and healthcare professionals are crucial for steering these dynamics, facilitating shared decision-making, and assuring the best feasible patient’s care . Introduction...Read more
Anti-Inflammatory Therapies for Severe Community-Acquired Pneumonia
2024 19 Apr
Emerging evidence highlights the potential advantages of employing anti-inflammatory therapies like macrolide antibiotics and corticosteroids in managing severe community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Although their use remains a subject of debate, recent findings indicate improved clinical outcomes, and support the adoption of a tailored approach...Read more
Errors in Nursing Interventions in Critically Ill Patients: Less is More
2024 19 Apr
In the treatment of critically ill patients, evidence-based nursing practices are essential, highlighting the need for precision in procedural management. This discussion identifies nine common errors encountered in clinical practice. Introduction Patient care is the essence of the nursing profession, focusing on the preservation, restoration,...Read more
Upcoming Events/Congresses
2024 19 Apr
APRIL 24-27 12th EuroELSO Congress 2024 Krakow, Poland https://iii.hm/1pcp 25-26 20th Annual Critical Care Symposium Manchester, United Kingdom https://iii.hm/1pcq 25-26 13th Ultrasound In Acute Care 2024 Manchester, United Kingdom https://iii.hm/1pcr 25-27 Urgent Care Updates...Read more
Pharmacist in the ICU
2024 12 Mar
Pharmacists play a crucial role in the ICU, where patients often require complex medication regimens, including multiple medications and intravenous therapies. The role of a critical care pharmacist is multifaceted and vital to ensuring optimal patient care in the critical care setting. Critical care pharmacists ensure patients receive safe,...Read more
Defining Medicines Optimisation in the Intensive Care Unit
2024 12 Mar
Complex polypharmacy and pathophysiology are common in the intensive care unit (ICU). Medicines optimisation is essential to deliver safe, effective, and individualised pharmacotherapy. This is ideally performed by a specialised ICU pharmacist. Introduction Medicines are the most common intervention in healthcare and are a central...Read more
Critical Care Pharmacists Save Lives
2024 12 Mar
The purpose of this review is to discuss the role of critical care pharmacists on the interprofessional healthcare team in the care of critically ill patients and explore current gaps in the provision of comprehensive medication management. Introduction “The patient’s neurological exam was concerning, new fixed and dilated pupils...Read more
Clinical Pharmacists in Intensive Care in Europe: From Basement to Bedside
2024 12 Mar
Evidence regarding the impact of the ICU pharmacist demonstrates improved outcomes in ICU patients, with a significant impact on the cost of care. This evidence comes from multiple studies performed in different countries. What happens in Europe at the moment? This article describes clinical pharmacy services in a number of Intensive Care Units...Read more
The Multiple Roles of the Critical Care Pharmacist
2024 12 Mar
Critical care pharmacists use their specialist knowledge to optimise medication for their patients. This article looks at the various roles of the critical care pharmacist within the multidisciplinary team. Introduction The pharmacist's role in critical care is well-developed in the United Kingdom (UK), USA, Australia, New Zealand,...Read more
Critical Care Pharmacists Contribute to Patient and Economic Outcomes Worldwide
2024 12 Mar
Critical care pharmacists have grown in numbers and effectiveness, but their need exceeds availability. Their contributions, role, and benefits are discussed with how to justify adding these highly trained practitioners to your critical care team. Introduction I was asked recently what the most important change I had seen during the...Read more
Haemoadsorption in Critically Ill Patients: The New Frontier
2024 12 Mar
Haemoadsorption may represent the new frontier in extracorporeal blood purification. Haemoadsorption has demonstrated effective extraction of a variety of toxins and drugs during episodes of sepsis, acute kidney injury or intoxication. Selective haemoadsorption can be performed by endotoxin-binding polymyxin B functionalised polystyrene fibres....Read more
Corticosteroids in the Intensive Care Unit: Evidence-Based Recommendations
2024 12 Mar
Corticosteroids are commonly used drugs in multiple diseases and conditions of critically ill patients. In this article, we review the pharmacology of corticosteroids and provide recommendations for their use in the ICU based on the best available evidence. Corticosteroids: Pharmacology and General Aspects Corticosteroids are...Read more
Upcoming Events/Congresses
2024 12 Mar
MARCH 19-22 43rd ISICEM Brussels, Belgium https://iii.hm/1orw APRIL 6 SYNCOPE 2024- International Interdisciplinary Symposium Berlin, Germnay https://iii.hm/1orx 10-13 ISHLT 2024 - 44 th Annual Meeting & Scientific Sessions Prague, Czech Republic https://iii.hm/1ory 24-27 12th EuroELSO 2024...Read more
Introduction to Landiolol in Acute Cardiac Care
2024 12 Mar
An overview of landiolol, a potent and cardioselective beta-blocker offering a promising addition to the armamentarium for managing acute cardiac conditions for rapid and effective rate control with minimal adverse effects. Cardiac emergencies present complex challenges in emergency medical settings, requiring prompt and effective management...Read more
Precision Medicine
2024 29 Feb
Precision medicine, also called personalised medicine, involves tailoring medical treatment and interventions to the individual characteristics of each patient. These characteristics may include genetic makeup, molecular profiles, environmental factors, lifestyle choices, and personal preferences. The goal of precision medicine is to optimise...Read more
United Imaging First Mobile Digital PET/CT in Europe
2024 29 Feb
United Imaging Healthcare Europe announces the introduction of its first mobile digital PET-CT solution in Italy, Europe. It is now fully operational under the Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale Piacenza (AUSLP) Hospital. Key Points The first mobile digital PET-CT system in Europe is a result of a successful collaboration between...Read more
IoT for Diabetes: More Than Just Glucometers
2024 29 Feb
Rise of smart devices, telecare, and IoT healthcare apps to facilitate diabetes diagnostics and management. Key Points The number of people living with diabetes worldwide amounted to 529 million in 2023. Internet of Things (IoT) technology has opened many opportunities for simpler and earlier diagnostics, prevention,...Read more
Machine Learning and Medical Device Regulations
2024 29 Feb
MedTech sector is in the midst of a digital revolution, with AI leading the way. In the tightly regulated realm of MedTech, there's an increasing demand for a well-established regulatory framework that emphasises the equilibrium between innovation and patient safety. Let’s explore the current applications of AI in the MedTech sector, its key...Read more
A Net Zero Hospital: The Challenges of Establishing a Net Zero Emissions Healthcare Centre
2024 29 Feb
Human health is linked to the planet, and climate change poses a serious risk. Healthcare contributes 4.4% to global CO 2 emissions. This article provides an overview of the experience of the Green Hospital project by Fundació Sanitària Mollet (Barcelona), which has successfully achieved the goal of becoming a net zero hospital in direct emissions....Read more
Socio-Political Costs of Implementing Precision Medicine
2024 29 Feb
The benefits of precision medicine, the challenges associated with it and the impact of its use on healthcare costs, testing and monitoring, and the inequality in access to healthcare services. Key Points Precision medicine personalises disease treatment and preventive care by taking into account individual characteristics....Read more
Innovation Procurement - Meeting the Needs of Precision Medicine Implementation Challenges
2024 29 Feb
An overview of the Procure4Health working group for precision medicine and the key areas of focus where innovation could alleviate challenges associated with its implementation. Key Points Procurement of innovation is about improving public services by adopting innovative solutions to tackle the challenges faced by public services....Read more
Non-Human Partners in Rehabilitation: How Healthcare Can Embrace Human-Machine Systems
2024 29 Feb
In conventional rehabilitation care, doctors and therapists interact with the patients in a human-human interaction to customise rehabilitation based on an individualised assessment. Human-Machine Systems (HMS) offer accuracy in assessment, monitoring and supportive tasks and contribute to heightened productivity across various fields of...Read more
Enhancing Precision Health with Personalised Wellbeing
2024 29 Feb
The transformative potential of personalised wellbeing within the framework of precision health. Practical strategies for optimising individual health. Key Points Precision wellbeing shares similarities with precision medicine while presenting distinct challenges and opportunities. Precision wellbeing recognises...Read more
