Search Tag: intensive care unit
Study: ED-ICU Collaboration Reduced Sepsis Mortality, Costs
2015 23 Oct
Close collaboration between the emergency department (ED) and intensive care unit (ICU) and standardised ICU admission criteria for patients with sepsis can significantly reduce mortality rate and care costs, according to new research published in CHEST Journal. "Although ICU level of care is costly, earlier inclusion of borderline patients may improve... Read more
EHR and ICU Quality Improvement: Some Successes
2015 22 Oct
A new study from Mount Sinai School of Medicine shows that implementation of electronic health records (EHR) at a large tertiary hospital resulted in significant reductions in central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) and surgical intensive care unit (SICU) mortality rates. The findings are published in CHEST Journal . Health information... Read more
Acute Care Teleconferencing
2015 10 Sep
As time is critical in the treatment of stroke patients, Utah-based Intermountain Healthcare has adopted an innovative teleservices platform called Telestroke. The aim is to test patients for the cause of a stroke and diagnose them for a specific medication within 3.5 to 4.5 hours after a stroke occurs, according to an article in HJnews.com . Telestroke... Read more
Clothing in NICU may Spread Respiratory Infections
2015 28 Aug
New research shows that respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) can be detected from the clothes worn by caregivers/visitors who are visiting infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The finding was presented at the International Conference on Emerging and Infectious Diseases in Atlanta, Georgia. RSV is the leading cause of childhood respiratory... Read more
Using Information Theory to Detect Redundancy in Lab Tests
2015 18 Aug
A new study in BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making describes how information theory can be used to quantify the amounts of redundant information associated with common ICU laboratory tests. Researchers say that information theory can help identify and discourage unnecessary testing and bloodwork, and can be a useful data analytic tool especially... Read more
The TYKS Neonatal ICU Deploys Ascom Alert Messaging Solution
2015 22 Jun
The neonatal intensive care unit at Turku University Hospital (TYKS) has deployed the Unite Cardiomax solution, provided by Ascom Miratel, with the goal of promoting a safer patient environment for newborns who require a hospital stay. The Unite Cardiomax solution integrates with the hospital’s patient monitoring system to send alarm messages to a... Read more
Humanising Intensive Care - Declaration of Torrejón
2015 26 May
The movement to humanise intensive care has taken a step forward with the publication of the Declaration of Torrejón for the Humanization of Intensive Care on 6 May. The document was drawn up by several health care professionals, patients and families to declare their commitment to the humanisation of Intensive Care Units. The declaration, which... Read more
ESICM 2014: Crucial Role for Clinical Pharmacists
2014 06 Oct
The clinical pharmacist in the critical care department is the critical link between the right choice and safe treatment, said Robert Shulman, clinical pharmacist at University College London Hospital in the UK speaking at the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine congress in Barcelona last week. While European countries differ in practice, he... Read more
Peer Pressure Boosts Hand-Hygiene Compliance
2014 13 Sep
Young people are often told by their parents or guardians not to give in to peer pressure. Interestingly, a recent study showed that social or peer pressure might be the key to boosting hand-hygiene adherence in hospitals. Results of the study have been published in Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology . Researchers from the University of Iowa's... Read more