Palliative sedation in patients with advanced cancer in a specialized unit in a middle-income country: A retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the 5-year practice on palliative sedation in a specialized palliative care unit in a deprived region in Brazil, and to compare survival of patients with advanced cancer who were and were not sedated during their end-of-life care. METHOD: Retrospective cohort study in a tertiary teaching hospital. We described the practice of palliative sedation and compared the survival time between patients who were and were not sedated in their last days of life. RESULTS: We included 906 patients who were admitted to the palliative care unit during the study period, of whom, 92 (10.2%) received palliative sedation. Patients who were sedated were younger, presented with higher rates of delirium, and reported more pain, suffering, and dyspnea than those who were not sedated. Median hospital survival of patients who received palliative sedation was 9.30 (CI 95%, 7.51-11.81) days and of patients who were not sedated was 8.2 (CI 95%, 7.3-9.0) days (P = 0.31). Adjusted for age and sex, palliative sedation was not significantly associated with hospital survival (hazard ratio = 0.93; CI 95%, 0.74-1.15). SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS: Palliative sedation can be accomplished even in a deprived area. Delirium, dyspnea, and pain were more common in patients who were sedated. Median survival was not reduced in patients who were sedated.

Impact of Urgent Chemotherapy in Critically Ill Patients.

OBJECTIVE: Compare the mortality between critically ill patients who received urgent chemotherapy for a cancer-related life-threatening complication with matched patients (controls) who did not received it. DESIGN: Propensity score-matched retrospective study. SETTING: Adult intensive care unit in an oncological hospital. PARTICIPANTS: All adults with solid tumor or hematological malignancies who received at least 1 day of urgent intravenous chemotherapy for a cancer-related life-threatening complication. Using the propensity score method adjusted for 10 variables, patients who received urgent chemotherapy were matched to patients who did not. INTERVENTIONS: None. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES: Intensive care unit and hospital mortality. RESULTS: Forty-seven patients (57% with solid tumors and 43% with hematological malignancies) who received urgent chemotherapy were matched to 94 controls. At intensive care unit admission, patients were similar except that those who received urgent chemotherapy were less likely to have received chemotherapy previously (36% vs 85%; P < .01). The intensive care unit (48.9% vs 23.4%; P < .01) and hospital (76.6% vs 46.8%; P < .01) mortality of the patients who received urgent chemotherapy was higher than the controls. The subgroup analysis showed that the higher mortality was limited to patients with solid tumor. CONCLUSION: The use of urgent chemotherapy is associated with an increase in the intensive care unit and hospital mortality of unselected critically ill patients with solid tumors but not in patients with hematological malignancies.

Flexible Versus Restrictive Visiting Policies in ICUs: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To synthesize data on outcomes related to patients, family members, and ICU professionals by comparing flexible versus restrictive visiting policies in ICUs. DATA SOURCES: Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science. STUDY SELECTION: Observational and randomized studies comparing flexible versus restrictive visiting policies in the ICU and evaluating at least one patient-, family member-, or ICU staff-related outcome. DATA EXTRACTION: Duplicate independent review and data abstraction. DATA SYNTHESIS: Of 16 studies identified for inclusion, seven were meta-analyzed. Most studies were rated as having a moderate risk of bias. Among patients, flexible visiting policies were associated with reduced frequency of delirium (odds ratio, 0.39; 95% CI, 0.22-0.69; I = 0%) and lower severity of anxiety symptoms (mean difference, -2.20; 95% CI, -3.80 to -0.61; I = 71%). Flexible visiting policies were not associated with increased risk of ICU mortality (odds ratio, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.38-1.36; I = 86%), ICU-acquired infections (odds ratio, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.68-1.42; I = 11%), or longer ICU stay (mean difference, -0.26 d; 95% CI, -0.57 to 0.05; I = 54%). Among family members, flexible visiting policies were associated with greater satisfaction. Among ICU professionals, flexible visiting policies were associated with higher burnout levels. CONCLUSIONS: Flexible ICU visiting hours have the potential to reduce delirium and anxiety symptoms among patients and to improve family members' satisfaction. However, they may be associated with an increased risk of burnout among ICU professionals. These conclusions are based on few studies, with small samples and moderate risk of bias.

Decreased Long-Term Survival of Patients With Newly Diagnosed Cancer Discharged Home After Unplanned ICU Admission: A Prospective Observational Study.

IMPORTANCE AND OBJECTIVES: To compare the 18-month survival between patients with newly diagnosed cancer discharged home after early unplanned ICU admission and those without early unplanned ICU admission; we also evaluated the frequency and risk factors for early unplanned ICU admission. DESIGN: Observational study with prospectively collected data from September 2019 to June 2021 and 18 months follow-up. SETTING: Single dedicated cancer center in São Paulo, Brazil. PARTICIPANTS: We screened consecutive adults with suspected cancer and included those with histologically proven cancer from among 20 highly prevalent cancers. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The exposure was early unplanned ICU admission, defined as admission for medical reasons or urgent surgery during the first 6 months after cancer diagnosis. The main outcome was 18-month survival after cancer diagnosis, and the main analysis was Cox's proportional hazards model adjusted for confounders and immortal time bias. Propensity score matching was used in the sensitivity analysis. We screened 4738 consecutive adults with suspected cancer and included 3348 patients. Three hundred twelve (9.3%) had early unplanned ICU admission, which was associated with decreased 18-month survival both in the unadjusted (hazard ratio, 4.03; 95% CI, 2.89-5.62) and adjusted (hazard ratio, 1.84; 95% CI, 1.29-2.64) models. The sensitivity analysis confirmed the results because the groups were balanced after matching, and the 18-month survival of patients with early ICU admission was lower compared with patients without early ICU admission (87.0% vs. 93.9%; p = 0.01 log-rank test). Risk factors for early unplanned ICU admission were advanced age, comorbidities, worse performance status, socioeconomic deprivation, metastatic tumors, and hematologic malignancies. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with newly diagnosed cancer discharged home after early unplanned ICU admission have decreased 18-month survival compared with patients without early unplanned ICU admission.

Patient-level cost analysis of intensive care unit acquired infections: A prospective cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: Hospital-associated infections (HAIs) are associated with increased mortality and prolonged hospital length-of-stay (LOS). Although some studies have shown that HAIs are associated with increased costs, these studies only used cost estimates, were carried out in a small number of centres, or only in high-income countries. METHODS: We carried out a prospective cohort study in ten Brazilian intensive care units (ICUs) selected from a collaborative platform study (IMPACTO MR). We included all patients aged 18 years or older admitted from October 2019 to December 2021 and who had an ICU LOS of at least two days. The costs were adjusted for official inflation until December 2022 and converted into international dollars using the 2021 purchasing power parity (PPP) conversion rate. We used a propensity score matching method to compare patients with HAIs and patients without HAIs, and patients with and without ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), central-line bloodstream infection (CLABSI), catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CA-UTI) and multidrug-resistant (MDR) HAIs. RESULTS: We included 7,953 patients in the study, of whom 574 (7.2%) had an HAI during their ICU stay. After propensity-score matching, patients with HAIs had ICU costs that were more than three times higher than those of patients without HAIs [$ 19,642 (IQR; 12,884-35,134) vs. 6,086 (IQR; 3,268-12,550); p <0.001). Patients with VAP, CLABSI, and CA-UTI, but not with MDR-HAIs also had higher total ICU costs. CONCLUSIONS: HAIs acquired in the ICU are associated with higher ICU costs. These findings were consistent across specific types of infection.

Evaluation of the characteristics of infection prevention and control programs and infection control committees in Brazilian hospitals: A countrywide cross-sectional study.

Objective: Data are scarce regarding hospital infection control committees and compliance with infection prevention and control (IPC) recommendations in Brazil, a country of continental dimensions. We assessed the main characteristics of infection control committees (ICCs) on healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in Brazilian hospitals. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in ICCs of public and private hospitals distributed across all Brazilian regions. Data were collected directly from the ICC staff by completing an online questionnaire and during on-site visits through face-to-face interviews. Results: In total, 53 Brazilian hospitals were evaluated from October 2019 to December 2020. All hospitals had implemented the IPC core components in their programs. All centers had protocols for the prevention and control of ventilator-associated pneumonia as well as bloodstream, surgical site, and catheter-associated urinary tract infections. Most hospitals (80%) had no budget specifically allocated to the IPC program; 34% of the laundry staff had received specific IPC training; and only 7.5% of hospitals reported occupational infections in healthcare workers. Conclusions: In this sample, most ICCs complied with the minimum requirements for IPC programs. The main limitation regarding ICCs was the lack of financial support. The findings of this survey support the development of strategic plans to improve IPCs in Brazilian hospitals.

Erratum: Evaluation of the characteristics of infection prevention and control programs and infection control committees in Brazilian hospitals: A countrywide cross-sectional study - CORRIGENDUM.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1017/ash.2023.136.].

One-year mortality of hematopoietic stem cell recipients admitted to an intensive care unit in a dedicated Brazilian cancer center: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) recipients requiring intensive care unit (ICU) admission early after transplantation have a poor prognosis. However, many studies have only focused on allogeneic HSCT recipients. OBJECTIVES: To describe the characteristics of HSCT recipients admitted to the ICU shortly after transplantation and assess differences in 1-year mortality between autologous and allogeneic HSCT recipients. DESIGN AND SETTING: A single-center retrospective cohort study in a cancer center in Brazil. METHODS: We included all consecutive patients who underwent HSCT less than a year before ICU admission between 2009 and 2018. We collected clinical and demographic data and assessed the 1-year mortality of all patients. The effect of allogeneic HSCT compared with autologous HSCT on 1-year mortality risk was evaluated in an unadjusted model and an adjusted Cox proportional hazard model for age and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) at admission. RESULTS: Of the 942 patients who underwent HSCT during the study period, 83 (8.8%) were included in the study (autologous HSCT = 57 [68.7%], allogeneic HSCT = 26 [31.3%]). At 1 year after ICU admission, 21 (36.8%) and 18 (69.2%) patients who underwent autologous and allogeneic HSCT, respectively, had died. Allogeneic HSCT was associated with increased 1-year mortality (unadjusted hazard ratio, HR = 2.79 [confidence interval, CI, 95%, 1.48-5.26]; adjusted HR = 2.62 [CI 95%, 1.29-5.31]). CONCLUSION: Allogeneic HSCT recipients admitted to the ICU had higher short- and long-term mortality rates than autologous HSCT recipients, even after adjusting for age and severity at ICU admission.

Comparison of the accuracy of residents, senior physicians and surrogate decision-makers for predicting hospital mortality of critically ill patients. / Comparação da acurácia de residentes, médicos seniores e decisores substitutos na previsão da mortalidade hospitalar de pacientes críticos.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the predictive performance of residents, senior intensive care unit physicians and surrogates early during intensive care unit stays and to evaluate whether different presentations of prognostic data (probability of survival versus probability of death) influenced their performance. METHODS: We questioned surrogates and physicians in charge of critically ill patients during the first 48 hours of intensive care unit admission on the patient's probability of hospital outcome. The question framing (i.e., probability of survival versus probability of death during hospitalization) was randomized. To evaluate the predictive performance, we compared the areas under the ROC curves (AUCs) for hospital outcome between surrogates and physicians' categories. We also stratified the results according to randomized question framing. RESULTS: We interviewed surrogates and physicians on the hospital outcomes of 118 patients. The predictive performance of surrogate decisionmakers was significantly lower than that of physicians (AUC of 0.63 for surrogates, 0.82 for residents, 0.80 for intensive care unit fellows and 0.81 for intensive care unit senior physicians). There was no increase in predictive performance related to physicians' experience (i.e., senior physicians did not predict outcomes better than junior physicians). Surrogate decisionmakers worsened their prediction performance when they were asked about probability of death instead of probability of survival, but there was no difference for physicians. CONCLUSION: Different predictive performance was observed when comparing surrogate decision-makers and physicians, with no effect of experience on health care professionals' prediction. Question framing affected the predictive performance of surrogates but not of physicians.

OBJETIVO: Comparar o desempenho preditivo de residentes, médicos seniores de unidades de terapia intensiva e decisores substitutos dos pacientes logo no início da internação na unidade de terapia intensiva e avaliar se diferentes apresentações de prognóstico (probabilidade de sobrevida versus probabilidade de óbito) influenciaram seus desempenhos. MÉTODOS: Os decisores substitutos e os médicos responsáveis pelos pacientes críticos foram questionados durante as primeiras 48 horas de internação na unidade de terapia intensiva sobre a probabilidade do desfecho hospitalar do paciente. O enquadramento da pergunta (isto é, a probabilidade de sobrevida versus a probabilidade de óbito durante a internação) foi randomizado. Para avaliar o desempenho preditivo, comparou-se a área sob a curva ROC para desfecho hospitalar entre as categorias decisores substitutos e médicos. Também estratificaram-se os resultados de acordo com o enquadramento da pergunta randomizado. RESULTADOS: Entrevistaram-se decisores substitutos e médicos sobre os desfechos hospitalares de 118 pacientes. O desempenho preditivo dos decisores substitutos foi significativamente inferior ao dos médicos (área sob a curva de 0,63 para decisores substitutos, 0,82 para residentes, 0,80 para residentes de medicina intensiva e 0,81 para médicos seniores de unidade de terapia intensiva). Não houve aumento no desempenho preditivo quanto à experiência dos médicos (ou seja, médicos seniores não previram desfechos melhor que médicos juniores). Os decisores substitutos pioraram seu desempenho de previsão quando perguntados sobre a probabilidade de óbito ao invés da probabilidade de sobrevida, mas não houve diferença entre os médicos. CONCLUSÃO: Observou-se desempenho preditivo diferente ao comparar decisores substitutos e médicos, sem qualquer efeito da experiência no prognóstico dos profissionais de saúde. O enquadramento da pergunta afetou o desempenho preditivo dos substitutos, mas não o dos médicos.

Nursing workload associated with the frequency of multidisciplinary rounds: a cross-sectional study. / Carga de trabalho da enfermagem associada com frequência de visitas multidisciplinares: um estudo transversal.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the frequency of multidisciplinary rounds during ICU days, to evaluate the participation of diverse healthcare professionals, to identify the reasons why rounds were not performed on specific days, and whether bed occupancy rate and nurse workload were associated with the conduction of multidisciplinary rounds. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study to assess the frequency of multidisciplinary rounds in four intensive care units in a cancer center. We also collected data on rates of professional participation, reasons for not performing rounds when they did not occur, and daily bed occupancy rates and assessed nurse workload by measuring the Nursing Activity Score. RESULTS: Rounds were conducted on 595 (65.8%) of 889 surveyed intensive care unit days. Nurses, physicians, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, and infection control practitioners participated most often. Rounds did not occur due to admission of new patients at the scheduled time (136; 44.7%) and involvement of nurses in activities unrelated to patients' care (97; 31.9%). In multivariate analysis, higher Nursing Activity Scores were associated with greater odds of conducting multidisciplinary rounds (OR = 1.06; 95%CI 1.04 - 1.10; p < 0.01), whereas bed occupancy rates were not (OR = 0.99; 95%CI 0.97 - 1.00; p = 0.18). CONCLUSION: Multidisciplinary rounds were conducted on less than two-thirds of surveyed intensive care unit days. Many rounds were cancelled due to activities unrelated to patient care. Unexpectedly, increased workload was associated with higher odds of conducting rounds. Workload is a possible trigger to discuss daily goals to improve patient outcomes and to enhance the effectiveness of multidisciplinary teams.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a frequência de visitas multidisciplinares durante a estadia na unidade de terapia intensiva e a participação dos diferentes profissionais da unidade, identificar as razões pelas quais as visitas não foram realizadas em dias específicos e se a taxa de ocupação e a carga de trabalho da enfermagem estavam associadas com a realização de visitas multidisciplinares. MÉTODOS: Realizamos um estudo transversal para avaliar a frequência de visitas multidisciplinares em quatro unidades de terapia intensiva localizadas em um centro para tratamento de câncer. Colhemos também dados referentes à participação de profissionais, a razões para não realização das visitas nos casos em que elas não ocorriam e a taxas diárias de ocupação de leitos, assim como avaliamos a carga de trabalho da enfermagem por meio do Nursing Activity Score. RESULTADOS: Foram conduzidas visitas multidisciplinares em 595 (65,8%) dos 889 dias de unidade de terapia intensiva avaliados. Mais frequentemente tomaram parte dessas visitas enfermeiros, médicos, fisioterapeutas respiratórios e profissionais ligados ao controle de infecções. As visitas não ocorreram em razão da admissão de novos pacientes no horário programado para a visita (136; 44,7%) e do envolvimento dos enfermeiros em atividades não relacionadas ao cuidado de pacientes (97; 31,9%). Na análise multivariada, níveis mais elevados do Nursing Activity Score se associaram com maior tendência à realização de visitas multidisciplinares (RC = 1,06; IC95% 1,04 - 1,10; p < 0,01), enquanto as taxas de ocupação não tiveram essa associação (RC = 0,99; IC95% 0,97 - 1,00; p = 0,18). CONCLUSÃO: Realizaram-se visitas multidisciplinares em menos de dois terços dos dias de unidade de terapia intensiva pesquisados. Muitas das visitas foram canceladas em razão de atividades não relacionadas aos cuidados com o paciente. A carga de trabalho é um possível gatilho para discussão dos alvos do dia para melhorar os desfechos dos pacientes e incrementar a efetividade das equipes multidisciplinares.

Performance status and acute organ dysfunction influence hospital mortality in critically ill patients with cancer and suspected infection: a retrospective cohort analysis. / Funcionalidade e disfunções orgânicas agudas influenciam a mortalidade hospitalar de pacientes críticos com câncer e suspeita de infecção: análise retrospectiva de uma coorte.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate how performance status impairment and acute organ dysfunction influence hospital mortality in critically ill patients with cancer who were admitted with suspected sepsis. METHODS: Data were obtained from a retrospective cohort of patients, admitted to an intensive care unit, with cancer and with a suspected infection who received parenteral antibiotics and underwent the collection of bodily fluid samples. We used logistic regression with hospital mortality as the outcome and the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group status, and their interactions as predictors. RESULTS: Of 450 patients included, 265 (58.9%) died in the hospital. For patients admitted to the intensive care unit with lower Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (≤ 6), performance status impairment influenced the in-hospital mortality, which was 32% among those with no and minor performance status impairment and 52% among those with moderate and severe performance status impairment, p < 0.01. However, for those with higher Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (> 6), performance status impairment did not influence the in-hospital mortality (73% among those with no and minor impairment and 84% among those with moderate and severe impairment; p = 0.1). CONCLUSION: Performance status impairment seems to influence hospital mortality in critically ill cancer patients with suspected sepsis when they have less severe acute organ dysfunction at the time of intensive care unit admission.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar como a funcionalidade e a disfunção orgânica aguda influenciam a mortalidade hospitalar de pacientes oncológicos admitidos com suspeita de sepse. MÉTODOS: Os dados foram obtidos de uma coorte retrospectiva de pacientes oncológicos com suspeita de infecção admitidos em uma unidade de terapia intensiva. Estes receberam antibióticos por via parenteral e tiveram suas culturas coletadas. Utilizamos uma regressão logística, para avaliar a mortalidade hospitalar como desfecho, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment e Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group como preditores, além de suas interações. RESULTADOS: Dentre os 450 pacientes incluídos, 265 (58,9%) morreram no hospital. Para os pacientes admitidos na unidade de terapia intensiva com Sequential Organ Failure Assessment baixo (≤ 6), o comprometimento da funcionalidade influenciou a mortalidade hospitalar, que foi de 32% entre os pacientes sem comprometimento ou com comprometimento mínimo da funcionalidade e 52% entre os pacientes com comprometimento moderado e grave (p < 0,01). Nos pacientes com Sequential Organ Failure Assessment elevado (> 6), a funcionalidade não influenciou a mortalidade hospitalar (73% entre os pacientes sem comprometimento ou com comprometimento mínimo, e 84% entre os pacientes com comprometimento moderado e grave; p = 0,1). CONCLUSÃO: O comprometimento da funcionalidade parece influenciar a mortalidade hospitalar de pacientes oncológicos com suspeita de sepse sem disfunções orgânicas agudas ou que apresentem disfunções leves no momento da admissão na unidade de terapia intensiva.

Long-term mortality in very old patients with cancer admitted to intensive care unit: A retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Long-term outcomes of older patients referred to intensive care unit (ICU) are of paramount importance for care planning and counseling of patients and relatives. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study with patients aged ≥80 years admitted to ICU from 2011 to 2017 in a cancer center. We performed two Cox proportional hazard regressions. In the first, we tested whether type of cancer (solid locoregional, solid metastatic or hematologic), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status (ECOG PS), and comorbidities [Charlson Comorbidity Index - CCI]) were associated with one-year mortality in all patients. In the second, we assessed whether delirium, use of vasopressors, mechanical ventilation, renal replacement therapy, and forgoing life-sustaining therapies were associated with one-year mortality in survivors to hospital discharge. RESULTS: Of 763 patients included, 482 (62.3%) patients died at one year. Metastatic cancer was significantly associated with one-year mortality (HR = 1.97; CI 95%, 1.16-3.36), but hematologic cancer, CCI and ECOG PS were not. Among patients who survived to hospital discharge, delirium, use of vasopressors, mechanical ventilation, renal replacement therapy and decisions to forgo life-sustaining therapies in ICU were not associated with one-year mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Metastatic disease at ICU admission was associated with one-year mortality in patients aged ≥80 years. Delirium, use of vasopressors, mechanical ventilation and renal replacement therapy and decisions to forgo life-sustaining therapies in ICU were not associated with one-year mortality among the patients discharged from hospital.

Mortality and Life-Sustaining Therapy Decisions in Patients With Cancer and Acute Respiratory Failure Due to COVID-19 or Other Causes: An Observational Study.

It is unknown if patients with cancer and acute respiratory failure due to COVID-19 have different clinical or cancer-related characteristics, decisions to forgo life-sustaining therapies (LST), and mortality compared to patients with cancer and acute respiratory failure due to other causes. In a cohort study, we tested the hypothesis that COVID-19 was associated with increased in-hospital mortality and decreased decisions to forgo LST in patients with cancer and acute respiratory failure. We employed two multivariate logistic regression models. Propensity score matching was employed as sensitivity analysis. We compared 382 patients without COVID-19 with 65 with COVID-19. Patients with COVID-19 had better performance status, less metastatic tumors, and progressive cancer. In-hospital mortality of patients with COVID-19 was lower compared with patients without COVID-19 (46.2 vs. 74.6%; p < 0.01). However, the cause of acute respiratory failure (COVID-19 or other causes) was not associated with increased in-hospital mortality [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 1.27 (0.55-2.93; 95% confidence interval, CI)] in the adjusted model. The percentage of patients with a decision to forgo LST was lower in patients with COVID-19 (15.4 vs. 36.1%; p = 0.01). However, COVID-19 was not associated with decisions to forgo LST [adjusted OR 1.21 (0.44-3.28; 95% CI)] in the adjusted model. The sensitivity analysis confirmed the primary analysis. In conclusion, COVID-19 was not associated with increased in-hospital mortality or decreased decisions to forgo LST in patients with cancer and acute respiratory failure. These patients had better performance status, less progressive cancer, less metastatic tumors, and less organ dysfunctions upon intensive care unit (ICU) admission than patients with acute respiratory failure due to other causes.

Single-Bed or Multibed Room Designs Influence ICU Staff Stress and Family Satisfaction, But Do Not Influence ICU Staff Burnout.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the impact of single-bed versus multibed room intensive care units (ICU) architectural designs on the stress and burnout of ICU staff and on the stress and satisfaction of family visitors. BACKGROUND: There are countless architectural variations among ICUs, but all involve single-bed or multibed rooms. Although it is well known that ICU design affects important patient outcomes, the effect of ICU design on family and staff has been insufficiently studied. METHODS: Among ICU staff and family visitors, stress was evaluated with Lipp's Inventory of Stress Symptoms. ICU staff burnout was evaluated with the Maslach Burnout Inventory. Family visitor satisfaction was evaluated with Molter's Critical Care Family Needs Inventory. RESULTS: Among 156 ICU professionals who were interviewed, similar burnout rates were observed between ICU staff who worked single-bed versus multibed rooms. However, stress reported by ICU staff within the previous 24 hr was higher among the ICU staff who worked in single-bed rooms (14.3% vs. 4.7%, p = .04). Among 176 family visitors who were interviewed, a similar level of stress was reported by family members who visited patients in single-bed or multibed rooms. However, the satisfaction of family members visiting patients in single-bed rooms was higher (96.0% vs. 84.6%, p = .02). CONCLUSIONS: Single-bed ICU design was associated with greater satisfaction of family visitors yet with higher levels of stress for ICU staff. Meanwhile, similar burnout levels were observed for ICU staff who worked in single-bed or multibed rooms.

Characteristics and short-term outcomes of patients with esophageal cancer with unplanned intensive care unit admissions: a retrospective cohort study. / Características e desfechos em curto prazo de pacientes com câncer esofágico em admissões não planejadas a unidades de terapia intensiva: um estudo de coorte retrospectiva.

OBJECTIVE: To depict the clinical presentation and outcomes of a cohort of critically ill patients with esophageal cancer. METHODS: We carried out a multicenter retrospective study that included patients with esophageal cancer admitted to intensive care units with acute illness between September 2009 and December 2017. We collected the demographic and clinical characteristics of all included patients, as well as organ-support measures and hospital outcomes. We performed logistic regression analysis to identify independent factors associated with in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: Of 226 patients included in the study, 131 (58.0%) patients died before hospital discharge. Squamous cell carcinoma was more frequent than adenocarcinoma, and 124 (54.9%) patients had metastatic cancer. The main reasons for admission were sepsis/septic shock and acute respiratory failure. Mechanical ventilation (OR = 6.18; 95%CI 2.86 - 13.35) and metastatic disease (OR = 7.10; 95%CI 3.35 - 15.05) were independently associated with in-hospital mortality. CONCLUSION: In this cohort of patients with esophageal cancer admitted to intensive care units with acute illness, the in-hospital mortality rate was very high. The requirement for invasive mechanical ventilation and metastatic disease were independent prognostic factors and should be considered in discussions about the short-term outcomes of these patients.

Epidemiology and outcome of high-surgical-risk patients admitted to an intensive care unit in Brazil. / Epidemiologia e desfecho dos pacientes de alto risco cirúrgico admitidos em unidades de terapia intensiva no Brasil.

OBJECTIVE: To define the epidemiological profile and the main determinants of morbidity and mortality in noncardiac high surgical risk patients in Brazil. METHODS: This was a prospective, observational and multicenter study. All noncardiac surgical patients admitted to intensive care units, i.e., those considered high risk, within a 1-month period were evaluated and monitored daily for a maximum of 7 days in the intensive care unit to determine complications. The 28-day postoperative, intensive care unit and hospital mortality rates were evaluated. RESULTS: Twenty-nine intensive care units participated in the study. Surgeries were performed in 25,500 patients, of whom 904 (3.5%) were high-risk (95% confidence interval - 95%CI 3.3% - 3.8%) and were included in the study. Of the participating patients, 48.3% were from private intensive care units, and 51.7% were from public intensive care units. The length of stay in the intensive care unit was 2.0 (1.0 - 4.0) days, and the length of hospital stay was 9.5 (5.4 - 18.6) days. The complication rate was 29.9% (95%CI 26.4 - 33.7), and the 28-day postoperative mortality rate was 9.6% (95%CI 7.4 - 12.1). The independent risk factors for complications were the Simplified Acute Physiology Score 3 (SAPS 3; odds ratio - OR = 1.02; 95%CI 1.01 - 1.03) and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment Score (SOFA) on admission to the intensive care unit (OR = 1.17; 95%CI 1.09 - 1.25), surgical time (OR = 1.001, 95%CI 1.000 - 1.002) and emergency surgeries (OR = 1.93, 95%CI, 1.10 - 3.38). In addition, there were associations with 28-day mortality (OR = 1.032; 95%CI 1.011 - 1.052), SAPS 3 (OR = 1.041; 95%CI 1.107 - 1.279), SOFA (OR = 1.175, 95%CI 1.069 - 1.292) and emergency surgeries (OR = 2.509; 95%CI 1.040 - 6.051). CONCLUSION: Higher prognostic scores, elderly patients, longer surgical times and emergency surgeries were strongly associated with higher 28-day mortality and more complications during the intensive care unit stay.

Elderly patients with cancer admitted to intensive care unit: A multicenter study in a middle-income country.

BACKGROUND: Very elderly critically ill patients (ie, those older than 75 or 80 years) are an increasing population in intensive care units. However, patients with cancer have encompassed only a minority in epidemiological studies of very old critically-ill patients. We aimed to describe clinical characteristics and identify factors associated with hospital mortality in a cohort of patients aged 80 or older with cancer admitted to intensive care units (ICUs). METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study in 94 ICUs in Brazil. We included patients aged 80 years or older with active cancer who had an unplanned admission. We performed a mixed effect logistic regression model to identify variables independently associated with hospital mortality. RESULTS: Of 4604 included patients, 1807 (39.2%) died in hospital. Solid metastatic (OR = 2.46; CI 95%, 2.01-3.00), hematological cancer (OR = 2.32; CI 95%, 1.75-3.09), moderate/severe performance status impairment (OR = 1.59; CI 95%, 1.33-1.90) and use of vasopressors (OR = 4.74; CI 95%, 3.88-5.79), mechanical ventilation (OR = 1.54; CI 95%, 1.25-1.89) and renal replacement (OR = 1.81; CI 95%, 1.29-2.55) therapy were independently associated with increased hospital mortality. Emergency surgical admissions were associated with lower mortality compared to medical admissions (OR = 0.71; CI 95%, 0.52-0.96). CONCLUSIONS: Hospital mortality rate in very elderly critically ill patients with cancer with unplanned ICU admissions are lower than expected a priori. Cancer characteristics, performance status impairment and acute organ dysfunctions are associated with increased mortality.

Pain management protocol implementation and opioid consumption in critical care: an interrupted time series analysis. / Implantação de um protocolo de manejo de dor e redução do consumo de opioides na unidade de terapia intensiva: análise de série temporal interrompida.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of an opioid-sparing pain management protocol on overall opioid consumption and clinical outcomes. METHODS: This was a single-center, quasi-experimental, retrospective, before and after cohort study. We used an interrupted time series to analyze changes in the levels and trends of the utilization of different analgesics. We used bivariate comparisons in the before and after cohorts as well as logistic regression and quantile regression for adjusted estimates. RESULTS: We included 988 patients in the preintervention period and 1,838 in the postintervention period. Fentanyl consumption was slightly increasing before the intervention (ß = 16; 95%CI 7 - 25; p = 0.002) but substantially decreased in level with the intervention (ß = - 128; 95%CI -195 - -62; p = 0.001) and then progressively decreased (ß = - 24; 95%CI -35 - -13; p < 0.001). There was an increasing trend in the utilization of dipyrone. The mechanical ventilation duration was significantly lower (median difference: - 1 day; 95%CI -1 - 0; p < 0.001), especially for patients who were mechanically ventilated for a longer time (50th percentile difference: -0.78; 95%CI -1.51 - -0.05; p = 0.036; 75th percentile difference: -2.23; 95%CI -3.47 - -0.98; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: A pain management protocol could reduce the intensive care unit consumption of fentanyl. This strategy was associated with a shorter mechanical ventilation duration.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o impacto de um protocolo de manejo da dor e redução do consumo de opioides no consumo geral de opioides e nos desfechos clínicos. MÉTODOS: Estudo em centro único, quasi-experimental, retrospectivo, de coortes antes e depois. Utilizamos uma série temporal interrompida para analisar as alterações no nível e na tendência de utilização de diferentes analgésicos. Foram usadas comparações bivariadas nas coortes antes e depois, regressão logística e regressão quantílica para estimativas ajustadas. RESULTADOS: Incluímos 988 pacientes no período pré-intervenção e 1.838 no período pós-intervenção. O consumo de fentanil teve ligeiro aumento gradual antes da intervenção (ß = 16; IC95% 7 - 25; p = 0,002), porém diminuiu substancialmente em nível com a intervenção (ß = - 128; IC95% -195 - -62; p = 0,001) e, a partir de então, caiu progressivamente (ß = - 24; IC95% -35 - -13; p < 0,001). Houve tendência crescente de utilização de dipirona. A duração da ventilação mecânica foi significantemente menor (diferença mediana: - 1 dia; IC95% -1 - 0; p < 0,001), especialmente para pacientes mecanicamente ventilados por períodos mais longos (diferença no 50º percentil: -0,78; IC95% -1,51 - -0,05; p = 0,036; diferença no 75º percentil: -2,23; IC95% -3,47 - -0,98; p < 0,001). CONCLUSÃO: Um protocolo de manejo da dor conseguiu reduzir o consumo de fentanil na unidade de terapia intensiva. Esta estratégia se associou com menor duração da ventilação mecânica.

One-year mortality of hematopoietic stem cell recipients admitted to an intensive care unit in a dedicated Brazilian cancer center: a retrospective cohort study

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) recipients requiring intensive care unit (ICU) admission early after transplantation have a poor prognosis. However, many studies have only focused on allogeneic HSCT recipients. OBJECTIVES: To describe the characteristics of HSCT recipients admitted to the ICU shortly after transplantation and assess differences in 1-year mortality between autologous and allogeneic HSCT recipients. DESIGN AND SETTING: A single-center retrospective cohort study in a cancer center in Brazil. METHODS: We included all consecutive patients who underwent HSCT less than a year before ICU admission between 2009 and 2018. We collected clinical and demographic data and assessed the 1-year mortality of all patients. The effect of allogeneic HSCT compared with autologous HSCT on 1-year mortality risk was evaluated in an unadjusted model and an adjusted Cox proportional hazard model for age and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) at admission. RESULTS: Of the 942 patients who underwent HSCT during the study period, 83 (8.8%) were included in the study (autologous HSCT = 57 [68.7%], allogeneic HSCT = 26 [31.3%]). At 1 year after ICU admission, 21 (36.8%) and 18 (69.2%) patients who underwent autologous and allogeneic HSCT, respectively, had died. Allogeneic HSCT was associated with increased 1-year mortality (unadjusted hazard ratio, HR = 2.79 [confidence interval, CI, 95%, 1.48-5.26]; adjusted HR = 2.62 [CI 95%, 1.29-5.31]). CONCLUSION: Allogeneic HSCT recipients admitted to the ICU had higher short- and long-term mortality rates than autologous HSCT recipients, even after adjusting for age and severity at ICU admission.