Respiratory drive heterogeneity associated with systemic inflammation and vascular permeability in acute respiratory distress syndrome.

BACKGROUND: In acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), respiratory drive often differs among patients with similar clinical characteristics. Readily observable factors like acid-base state, oxygenation, mechanics, and sedation depth do not fully explain drive heterogeneity. This study evaluated the relationship of systemic inflammation and vascular permeability markers with respiratory drive and clinical outcomes in ARDS. METHODS: ARDS patients enrolled in the multicenter EPVent-2 trial with requisite data and plasma biomarkers were included. Neuromuscular blockade recipients were excluded. Respiratory drive was measured as PES0.1, the change in esophageal pressure during the first 0.1 s of inspiratory effort. Plasma angiopoietin-2, interleukin-6, and interleukin-8 were measured concomitantly, and 60-day clinical outcomes evaluated. RESULTS: 54.8% of 124 included patients had detectable respiratory drive (PES0.1 range of 0-5.1 cm H2O). Angiopoietin-2 and interleukin-8, but not interleukin-6, were associated with respiratory drive independently of acid-base, oxygenation, respiratory mechanics, and sedation depth. Sedation depth was not significantly associated with PES0.1 in an unadjusted model, or after adjusting for mechanics and chemoreceptor input. However, upon adding angiopoietin-2, interleukin-6, or interleukin-8 to models, lighter sedation was significantly associated with higher PES0.1. Risk of death was less with moderate drive (PES0.1 of 0.5-2.9 cm H2O) compared to either lower drive (hazard ratio 1.58, 95% CI 0.82-3.05) or higher drive (2.63, 95% CI 1.21-5.70) (p = 0.049). CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with ARDS, systemic inflammatory and vascular permeability markers were independently associated with higher respiratory drive. The heterogeneous response of respiratory drive to varying sedation depth may be explained in part by differences in inflammation and vascular permeability.

Patient-important upper gastrointestinal bleeding in the ICU: A mixed-methods study of patient and family perspectives.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study was to create a definition of patient-important upper gastrointestinal bleeding during critical illness as an outcome for a randomized trial. DESIGN: This was a sequential mixed-methods qualitative-dominant multi-center study with an instrument-building aim. In semi-structured individual interviews or focus groups we elicited views from survivors of critical illness and family members of patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) regarding which features indicate important gastrointestinal bleeding. Quantitative demographic characteristics were collected. We analyzed qualitative data using inductive content analysis to develop a definition for patient-important upper gastrointestinal bleeding. SETTING: Canada and the United States. PARTICIPANTS: 51 ICU survivors and family members of ICU patients. RESULTS: Participants considered gastrointestinal bleeding to be important if it resulted in death, disability, or prolonged hospitalization. The following also signaled patient-important upper gastrointestinal bleeding: blood transfusion, vasopressors, endoscopy, CT-angiography, or surgery. Whether an intervention evinced concern depended on its effectiveness, side-effects, invasiveness and accessibility; contextual influences included participant familiarity and knowledge of interventions and trust in the clinical team. CONCLUSIONS: Survivors of critical illness and family members described patient-important upper gastrointestinal bleeding differently than current definitions of clinically-important upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

Giant cell collagenomas associated with Cowden syndrome: A case report.

Storiform collagenoma, also known as sclerotic fibroma, is a relatively rare benign cutaneous tumor consisting of a proliferation of fibroblasts that shows increased production of type I collagen. It may appear as a solitary, sporadic lesion, or, especially when multiple, associated with Cowden syndrome. Giant cell collagenoma has a histopathologic appearance similar to that of storiform collagenoma with the addition of floret-type giant cells. Herein, we report the finding of multiple giant cell collagenomas arising in an individual with Cowden syndrome. In a review of the published literature, this histopathologic variant appears to be rarely observed in association with Cowden syndrome.

Intensive glucose control in critically ill adults: a protocol for a systematic review and individual patient data meta-analysis / Controle intensivo da glicose em adultos em estado grave: um protocolo de revisão sistemática e metanálise de dados individuais de pacientes

ABSTRACT Objective: The optimal target for blood glucose concentration in critically ill patients is unclear. We will perform a systematic review and meta-analysis with aggregated and individual patient data from randomized controlled trials, comparing intensive glucose control with liberal glucose control in critically ill adults. Data sources: MEDLINE®, Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Clinical Trials, and clinical trials registries (World Health Organization, clinical trials.gov). The authors of eligible trials will be invited to provide individual patient data. Published trial-level data from eligible trials that are not at high risk of bias will be included in an aggregated data meta-analysis if individual patient data are not available. Methods: Inclusion criteria: randomized controlled trials that recruited adult patients, targeting a blood glucose of ≤ 120mg/dL (≤ 6.6mmol/L) compared to a higher blood glucose concentration target using intravenous insulin in both groups. Excluded studies: those with an upper limit blood glucose target in the intervention group of > 120mg/dL (> 6.6mmol/L), or where intensive glucose control was only performed in the intraoperative period, and those where loss to follow-up exceeded 10% by hospital discharge. Primary endpoint: In-hospital mortality during index hospital admission. Secondary endpoints: mortality and survival at other timepoints, duration of invasive mechanical ventilation, vasoactive agents, and renal replacement therapy. A random effect Bayesian meta-analysis and hierarchical Bayesian models for individual patient data will be used. Discussion: This systematic review with aggregate and individual patient data will address the clinical question, 'what is the best blood glucose target for critically ill patients overall?' Protocol version 0.4 - 06/26/2023 PROSPERO registration: CRD42021278869

RESUMO Objetivo: Não está claro qual é a meta ideal de concentração de glicose no sangue em pacientes em estado grave. Realizaremos uma revisão sistemática e uma metanálise com dados agregados e de pacientes individuais de estudos controlados e randomizados, comparando o controle intensivo da glicose com o controle liberal da glicose em adultos em estado grave. Fontes de dados: MEDLINE®, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Clinical Trials e registros de ensaios clínicos (Organização Mundial da Saúde, clinical trials.gov). Os autores dos estudos qualificados serão convidados a fornecer dados individuais de pacientes. Os dados publicados em nível de ensaio qualificado que não apresentem alto risco de viés serão incluídos em uma metanálise de dados agregados se os dados individuais de pacientes não estiverem disponíveis. Métodos: Critérios de inclusão: ensaios clínicos controlados e randomizados que recrutaram pacientes adultos, com meta de glicemia ≤ 120mg/dL (≤ 6,6mmol/L) comparada a uma meta de concentração de glicemia mais alta com insulina intravenosa em ambos os grupos. Estudos excluídos: aqueles com meta de glicemia no limite superior no grupo de intervenção > 120mg/dL (> 6,6mmol/L), ou em que o controle intensivo de glicose foi realizado apenas no período intraoperatório, e aqueles em que a perda de seguimento excedeu 10% até a alta hospitalar. Desfecho primário: Mortalidade intra-hospitalar durante a admissão hospitalar. Desfechos secundários: Mortalidade e sobrevida em outros momentos, duração da ventilação mecânica invasiva, agentes vasoativos e terapia de substituição renal. Utilizaremos metanálise bayesiana de efeito randômico e modelos bayesianos hierárquicos para dados individuais de pacientes. Discussão: Essa revisão sistemática com dados agregados e de pacientes individuais abordará a questão clínica: Qual é a melhor meta de glicose no sangue de pacientes graves em geral? Protocolo versão 0.4 - 26/06/2023 Registro PROSPERO: CRD42021278869

FLUID trial: a hospital-wide open-label cluster cross-over pragmatic comparative effectiveness randomised pilot trial comparing normal saline to Ringer's lactate.

OBJECTIVES: Normal saline (NS) and Ringer's lactate (RL) are the most common crystalloids used for fluid therapy. Despite evidence of possible harm associated with NS (eg, hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis, impaired kidney function and death), few large multi-centre randomised trials have evaluated the effect of these fluids on clinically important outcomes. We conducted a pilot trial to explore the feasibility of a large trial powered for clinically important outcomes. DESIGN: FLUID was a pragmatic pilot cluster randomised cross-over trial. SETTING: Four hospitals in the province of Ontario, Canada PARTICIPANTS: All hospitalised adult and paediatric patients with an incident admission to the hospital over the course of each study period. INTERVENTIONS: A hospital wide policy/strategy which stocked either NS or RL throughout the hospital for 12 weeks before crossing over to the alternate fluid for the subsequent 12 weeks. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary feasibility outcome was study fluid protocol adherence. Secondary feasibility outcomes included time to Research Ethics Board (REB) approval and trial initiation. Primary (composite of death or re-admission to hospital in first 90 days of index hospitalisation) and secondary clinical outcomes were analysed descriptively. RESULTS: Among 24 905 included patients, mean age 59.1 (SD 20.5); 13 977 (56.1%) were female and 21 150 (85.0%) had medical or surgical admitting diagnoses. Overall, 96 821 L were administered in the NS arm, and 78 348 L in the RL arm. Study fluid adherence to NS and RL was 93.7% (site range: 91.6%-98.0%) and 79.8% (site range: 72.5%-83.9%), respectively. Time to REB approval ranged from 2 to 48 days and readiness for trial initiation from 51 to 331 days. 5544 (22.3%) patients died or required hospital re-admission in the first 90 days. CONCLUSIONS: The future large trial is feasible. Anticipating and addressing logistical challenges during the planning stages will be imperative. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02721485.

The effect of preoperative statins on postoperative mortality, renal, and neurological complications in patients undergoing cardiac surgeries: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac surgery is performed worldwide to treat severe cases of cardiovascular diseases. Statins have shown controversial effects on complications after cardiac surgeries. We aimed to investigate the effect of preoperative statin therapy on the frequency of postoperative mortality, renal, and neurological complications. METHODS: In a retrospective cohort study, the database of patients operated on in two hospitals in southern Iran during 2008-2019 was used to compare preoperative statin use with no use on the composite outcome of mortality, renal, and neurological complications as well as on each component of the composite, separately. Effects of low dose (<40 mg simvastatin equivalence) vs. high dose (≥40 mg) statins were also evaluated. Confounders that could affect the outcomes were considered in the logistic regression model, and multiple imputation techniques were used to categorize patients with unknown statin dose use as either high or low-dose users. RESULTS: Of total 7329 patients, 17.6% of statin users and 17% of non-statin users developed the composite outcome (P=0.51). Statin use had no statistically significant association with the composite outcome (aRR 1.01 [95% CI: 0.88-1.16]). There was no significant association with mortality [aRR: 0.75 (95% CI: 0.34-1.69)], neurological [aRR: 1.25 (95% CI: 0.77-2.12)], or renal complications [aRR: 1.03 (95% CI 0.90-1.19)] after surgery. Neither low nor high doses had any statistically significant effect on the composite or any of its components. CONCLUSIONS: In this large study, preoperative statin use, either high dose or low dose, did not affect short-term postoperative mortality, neurological, or renal complications.

Mantle Cell Lymphoma Presenting with Cutaneous Lesions: A Rare Manifestation of a Systemic Disease.

OBJECTIVES: Cutaneous lymphoma is a broad term used to describe any type of lymphoma involving the skin. They may be primary, arising in the skin, or secondary, resulting from spread of a systemic lymphoma. Cutaneous involvement of mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is extremely rare and most often occurs secondarily. To date, less than 100 cases of MCL involving the skin have been described in the English literature. We describe a case of MCL involving the skin as the clinical presentation of disease in a 74-year-old man and highlight the radiographic and pathologic findings, treatment course, and prognosis.

Prognostic Factors Associated With Development of Venous Thromboembolism in Critically Ill Patients-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To identify prognostic factors for the development of venous thromboembolism in the ICU. DATA SOURCES: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane CENTRAL from inception to March 1, 2021. STUDY SELECTION: We included English-language studies describing prognostic factors associated with the development of venous thromboembolism among critically ill patients. DATA EXTRACTION: Two authors performed data extraction and risk-of-bias assessment. We pooled adjusted odds ratios and adjusted hazard ratios for prognostic factors using random-effects model. We assessed risk of bias using the Quality in Prognosis Studies tool and certainty of evidence using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations approach. DATA SYNTHESIS: We included 39 observational cohort studies involving 729,477 patients. Patient factors with high or moderate certainty of association with increased odds of venous thromboembolism include older age (adjusted odds ratio, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.02-1.29 per 10 yr), obesity (adjusted odds ratio, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.18-1.32), active malignancy (adjusted odds ratio, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.18-2.44), history of venous thromboembolism (adjusted odds ratio, 4.77; 95% CI, 3.42-6.65), and history of recent surgery (adjusted odds ratio, 1.77; 95% CI, 1.26-2.47). ICU-specific factors with high or moderate certainty of association with increased risk of venous thromboembolism include sepsis (adjusted odds ratio, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.12-1.78), lack of pharmacologic venous thromboembolism prophylaxis (adjusted odds ratio, 1.80; 95% CI, 1.14-2.84), central venous catheter (adjusted odds ratio, 2.93; 95% CI, 1.98-4.34), invasive mechanical ventilation (adjusted odds ratio, 1.74; 95% CI, 1.36-2.24), and use of vasoactive medication (adjusted odds ratio, 1.86; 95% CI, 1.23-2.81). CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis provides quantitative summaries of the association between patient-specific and ICU-related prognostic factors and the risk of venous thromboembolism in the ICU. These findings provide the foundation for the development of a venous thromboembolism risk stratification tool for critically ill patients.

End-of-life transitions for family member on the solid tumour oncology ward: the 3 Wishes Project.

OBJECTIVES: Although death is not uncommon for hospitalised patients with cancer, there are few interventions in oncology that are designed to create a dignified, compassionate end-of-life (EOL) experience for patients and families. The 3 Wishes Project (3WP), a programme in which clinicians elicit and implement final wishes for dying patients, has been shown effective in intensive care units (ICUs) at improving the EOL experience. The objective was to initiate 3WP on an oncology ward and evaluate its effect on family member experiences of their loved one's EOL. We hypothesised that the 3WP can be implemented in the non-ICU setting and help oncological patients and their families with transition to the EOL. METHODS: When the patient's probability of dying is greater than 95%, patients and families were invited to participate in the 3WP. Wishes were elicited, implemented and categorised. Audiorecorded, semistructured interviews were conducted with family members, transcribed and analysed using content analysis. RESULTS: 175 wishes were implemented for 52 patients with cancer (average cost of US$34). The most common wish (66%) was to personalise the environment. Qualitative analysis of 11 family member interviews revealed that the 3WP facilitates three transitions at the EOL: (1) the transition from multiple admissions to the final admission, (2) the transition of a predominantly caregiver role to a family member role and (3) the transition from a focus on the present to a focus on legacy. CONCLUSION: The 3WP can be implemented on the oncology ward and enhance the EOL experience for hospitalised patients with cancer.

Community implementation of the 3 Wishes Project: an observational study of a compassionate end-of-life care initiative for critically ill patients.

BACKGROUND: The 3 Wishes Project (3WP) promotes a personalized dying experience by eliciting and facilitating individualized terminal wishes for patients, families and the clinicians caring for them. We aimed to evaluate the adaptability of the 3WP to a community intensive care unit (ICU), and to describe the patients cared for with this palliative approach, as well as local implementation strategies. METHODS: The 3WP was implemented in a 15-bed community hospital ICU in southern Ontario from 2017 to 2019. In this observational, descriptive study, we invited adult patients (≥ 18 yr) whose risk of death was deemed to be 95% or greater by the attending physician, or patients undergoing withdrawal of life-support to participate. We abstracted patient data from medical records, as well as the type, timing and cost of each wish, which person or service made and facilitated each wish, and if and why wishes were completed or not. We summarized data both narratively and quantitatively. RESULTS: The 3WP helped to realize 479 (99.2%) of 483 terminal wishes for 101 dying patients. This initiative was introduced as an interprofessional intervention and championed by nursing staff who were responsible for most patient enrolment and wish facilitation. Wishes included humanizing the ICU environment for the patient with belongings and blankets, musical performances, smudging and bathing ceremonies, and keepsakes. The cost was $5.39 per patient (standard deviation $22.40), with 430 (89.8%) wishes incurring no cost. Wishes made directly by patients accounted for 30 (6.2%) of wishes; those from family members and ICU staff accounted for 236 (48.9%) and 238 (49.3%) of wishes, respectively. The program comforted patients and their loved ones, motivating clinicians to sustain this end-of-life intervention. INTERPRETATION: We documented successful implementation of the 3WP in a community hospital, showing program adaptability and uptake outside of academic centres at relatively low cost. The lack of strict protocolization and personalized design of this intervention underscores its inherent flexibility, with potential to promote individualized end-of-life care in nonacademic hospital wards, homes or hospice.

Initiating and integrating a personalized end of life care project in a community hospital intensive care unit: A qualitative study of clinician and implementation team perspectives.

RATIONALE: The end of life (EOL) experience in the intensive care unit (ICU) can be psychologically distressing for patients, families, and clinicians. The 3 Wishes Project (3WP) personalizes the EOL experience by carrying out wishes for dying patients and their families. While the 3WP has been integrated in academic, tertiary care ICUs, implementing this project in a community ICU has yet to be described. OBJECTIVES: To examine facilitators of, and barriers to, implementing the 3WP in a community ICU from the clinician and implementation team perspective. METHODS: This qualitative descriptive study evaluated the implementation of the 3WP in a 20-bed community ICU in Southern Ontario, Canada. Patients were considered for the 3WP if they had a high likelihood of imminent death or planned withdrawal of life-sustaining therapy. Following the qualitative descriptive approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with purposively sampled clinicians and implementation team. Data from transcribed interviews were analyzed in triplicate through qualitative content analysis. RESULTS: Interviews with 12 participants indicated that the 3WP personalized and enriched the EOL experience. Interviewees indicated higher intensity education strategies were needed to enable spread as the project grew. Clinicians described many physical resources for the project but suggested more non-clinical project support for orientation, continuing education, and data collection. A majority of wishes focused on physical resources including keepsakes, which helped facilitate project spread when clinician capacity was attenuated by competing duties. CONCLUSIONS: In this community hospital, ICU clinicians and implementation team members report perceived improved EOL care for patients, families, and clinicians following 3WP initiation and integration. Implementing individualized and meaningful wishes at EOL for dying patients in a community ICU requires adequate planning and time dedicated to optimizing clinician education. Adapting key features of an intervention to local expertise and capacity may facilitate spread during project initiation and integration.

Lung-Protective Ventilation and Associated Outcomes and Costs Among Patients Receiving Invasive Mechanical Ventilation in the ED.

BACKGROUND: Invasive mechanical ventilation is often initiated in the ED, and mechanically ventilated patients may be kept in the ED for hours before ICU transfer. Although lung-protective ventilation is beneficial, particularly in ARDS, it remains uncertain how often lung-protective tidal volumes are used in the ED, and whether lung-protective ventilation in this setting impacts patient outcomes. RESEARCH QUESTION: What is the association between the use of lung-protective ventilation in the ED and outcomes among invasively ventilated patients? STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis (2011-2017) of a prospective registry from eight EDs enrolling consecutive adult patients (≥ 18 years) who received invasive mechanical ventilation in the ED was performed. Lung-protective ventilation was defined by use of tidal volumes ≤ 8 mL/kg predicted body weight. The primary outcome was hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes included development of ARDS, hospital length of stay, and total hospital costs. RESULTS: The study included 4,174 patients, of whom 2,437 (58.4%) received lung-protective ventilation in the ED. Use of lung-protective ventilation was associated with decreased odds of hospital death (adjusted OR [aOR], 0.91; 95% CI, 0.84-0.96) and development of ARDS (aOR, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.81-0.92). Patients who received lung-protective ventilation in the ED had shorter median duration of mechanical ventilation (4 vs 5 days; P < 0.01), shorter median hospital length of stay (11 vs 14 days; P < .001), and reduced total hospital costs (Can$44,348 vs Can$52,484 [US$34,153 vs US$40,418]; P = .03) compared with patients who received higher tidal volumes. INTERPRETATION: Use of lung-protective ventilation in the ED was associated with important patient- and system-centered outcomes, including lower hospital mortality, decreased incidence of ARDS, lower hospital length of stay, and decreased total costs. Protocol development promoting the regular use of lung-protective ventilation in the ED may be of value.

Keepsakes at the End of Life.

CONTEXT: Keepsakes are a relatively unexplored form of bereavement support that is frequently provided as part of the 3 Wishes Project (3WP). The 3WP is a palliative care intervention in which individualized wishes are implemented in the adult intensive care unit for dying patients and their families. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to characterize and enumerate the keepsakes that were created as part of the 3WP and to understand their value from the perspective of bereaved family members. METHODS: We performed a secondary analysis of family interviews during a multicenter study on the 3WP and characterized all wishes that involved keepsakes. Sixty interviews with family members regarding the 3WP were reanalyzed using qualitative analysis to identify substantive themes related to keepsakes. RESULTS: Of 730 patients, 345 (47%) received keepsakes as part of their participation in 3WP. Most keepsakes were either tangible items that served as reminders of the patient's presence (thumbprints and locks of hair) or technology-assisted items (photographs and word clouds). The median cost per keepsake wish was $8.50 (interquartile range $2.00-$25.00). Qualitative analysis revealed two major themes: keepsakes are tangible items that are highly valued by family members; and the creation of the keepsake with clinical staff is valued and viewed as a gesture of compassion. CONCLUSION: Keepsakes are common wishes that clinicians in the intensive care unit are able to provide and sometimes cocreate with families when patients are dying. Both the offering to create the keepsake and receipt of the final product are perceived by family members as helpful.

Definitions of post-coronary artery bypass grafting myocardial infarction: variations in incidence and prognostic significance.

OBJECTIVES: Using data from the CORONARY trial (n = 4752), we evaluated the incidence and prognostic significance of myocardial infarction (MI) applying different definitions based on peak postoperative creatine kinase-MB isoenzyme and cardiac troponin levels. We then aimed to identify the peak cardiac troponin during the first 3 postoperative days that was independently associated with a 2-fold increase in 30-day mortality. METHODS: To combine different assays, we analysed cardiac troponins in multiples of their respective upper limit of normal (ULN). We identified the lowest threshold with a hazard ratio (HR) >2 for 30-day mortality independent of EuroSCORE and on- versus off-pump surgery. RESULTS: Depending on the definition used based on creatine kinase-MB, the incidence of MI after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) ranged from 0.6% to 19% and the associated HRs for 30-day mortality ranged from 2.7 to 6.9. Using cardiac troponin (1528 patients), the incidence of MI ranged from 1.7% to 13% depending on the definition used with HRs for 30-day mortality ranging from 5.1 to 7.2. The first cardiac troponin threshold we evaluated, 180xULN, was associated with an adjusted HR for 30-day mortality of 7.6 [95% confidence interval (CI) 3.4-17.1] when compared to <130xULN. The next independent threshold was 130xULN with an adjusted HR for 30-day mortality of 7.8 (95% CI 2.3-26.1). The next cardiac troponin tested threshold (70xULN) did not meet criteria for significance. CONCLUSIONS: Our results illustrate that the incidence and prognosis of a post-CABG MI varies based on the definition used. Validated post-CABG MI diagnostic criteria formulated from their independent association with important clinical outcomes are needed.

Pneumoperitoneum and PEG Dislodgement Secondary to Noninvasive Ventilation after PEG Tube Placement.

We present a previously undescribed complication after noninvasive ventilation (NIV) for respiratory failure in a patient who required percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube placement for long-term nutrition after a complicated coronary bypass operation. A 54-year-old female diagnosed with unilateral vocal cord paralysis after emergent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) underwent an uncomplicated PEG tube placement. She was placed on intermittent NIV because of respiratory failure 24 hours after PEG placement, and NIV was continued for several days. Three days later, she was noted to have pneumoperitoneum on an upright chest X-ray. Abdominal CT scan revealed a large amount of pneumoperitoneum with the PEG tube in the correct position and no extravasation of enteric contrast from the stomach. Tube feeds were held and NIV was discontinued. Nonetheless, six days later, the patient was found on CT scan to have partial displacement of the PEG tube with leakage from the gastrotomy requiring operative repair. This case highlights the vulnerability of PEG tubes to management practices in the early postoperative period. Abdominal distention secondary to NIV likely caused pressure necrosis of the PEG site with dislodgement of the tube. This case elicits considerations regarding future management practices of patients receiving NIV in the early postoperative period after PEG placement.

Multidisciplinary Tumor Boards in Dermatologic Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Recent advances in diagnostic and therapeutic modalities have made oncologic care ever more challenging, and multidisciplinary tumor boards (MTBs) are increasingly being used as a forum to discuss and coordinate care for complex oncology patients. Literature on the use of MTBs specific to cutaneous oncology and dermatologic surgery remains limited. OBJECTIVE: To share our experiences with cutaneous oncology MTBs at the University of Vermont Medical Center (UVMMC). METHODS: We describe the formation, timing, participation, clinical discussion, case follow-up, and coordination of care of our MTBs. RESULTS: A log of all cases discussed at cutaneous oncology MTBs from August 2018 to August 2019 is presented as an example. Five specific cases are described in further detail to demonstrate critical components of multidisciplinary care. CONCLUSION: The MTBs at UVMMC has created a collaborative environment for providers in multiple specialties to jointly formulate and coordinate optimal treatment plans for difficult cases, particularly when treatment guidelines do not exist or are insufficient. Furthermore, MTBs can serve as an educational forum for all participants.

Fostering humanism: a mixed methods evaluation of the Footprints Project in critical care.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this mixed-methods study were to assess the uptake, sustainability and influence of the Footprints Project. SETTING: Twenty-two-bed university-affiliated ICU in Hamilton, Canada. PARTICIPANTS: ICU patients admitted and their families, as well as clinicians. INTERVENTIONS: We developed a personalised patient Footprints Form and Whiteboard to facilitate holistic, patient-centred care, to inform clinical encounters, and to create deeper connections among patients, families and clinicians. OUTCOME MEASURES: We conducted 3 audits to examine uptake and sustainability. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 10 clinicians, and held 5 focus groups with 25 clinicians; and we interviewed 5 patients and 13 family representatives of 5 patients who survived and 5 who died in the ICU. Transcripts were analysed using qualitative content analysis. RESULTS: The Footprints Project facilitated holistic, patient-centred care by setting the stage for patient and family experience, motivating the patient and humanising the patient for clinicians. Through informing clinical encounters, Footprints helped clinicians initiate more personal conversations, foster deeper connections and guide treatment. Professional practice influences included more focused attention on the patient, enhanced interdisciplinary communication and changes in community culture. Initially used in 15.8% of patients (audit A), uptake increased to 51.4% in audit B, and was sustained at 57.8% in audit C. CONCLUSIONS: By sharing valuable personal information about patients before and beyond their illness on individualised whiteboards at each bedside, the Footprints Project fosters humanism in critical care practice.

Improving End-of-Life Care in the Intensive Care Unit: Clinicians' Experiences with the 3 Wishes Project.

Background: End-of-life (EOL) care is an important aspect of practice in the intensive care unit (ICU), where approximately one of every five patients may die. Objective: The objective of this study was to describe clinicians' experiences with the 3 Wishes Project (3WP) and understand the influence of the project on care in the ICU. Design: The 3WP is a palliative care intervention in which clinicians elicit and implement final wishes for patients dying in the ICU; it had been implemented for seven months at the time of this study. This mixed-methods study includes quantitative data from clinician surveys and qualitative data from clinician focus groups. Setting: A 24-bed medical ICU in a tertiary academic center. Subjects: Perspectives of 97 clinicians working in the ICU during the study period were obtained by self-administered surveys. Five focus groups with 25 nurses and 5 physicians were held, digitally recorded, transcribed, and analyzed. Measurements and Results: During the 7-month period, 67 decedents and their families participated in the 3WP. The overarching concept identified through analysis of the survey and focus group data is that the 3WP improves EOL care in the ICU, which was supported by three main themes: (1) The 3WP facilitates meaningful EOL care; (2) The 3WP has a positive impact on nurses and physicians; and (3) clinicians observe a positive influence of the 3WP on families. Conclusions: This patient-centered and family-partnered intervention facilitates meaningful EOL care, favorably impacting the ICU team and positively influencing family members.