Making a Difference in Eye Care of the Critically Ill Patients.

Ocular surface disorders are frequently encountered in patients under sedation and paralyzed patients in intensive care units (ICUs). In the ICUs, treatment is usually focused on the management of organ failures, and eye care becomes a side issue. As a result, ophthalmological complications do occur (incidence ranges from 3.6% to 60%) and are frequently overlooked in this setting. To identify the best available evidence in providing the best eye care to prevent exposure keratopathy, a literature review was performed. The databases of PUBMED, COCHRAN, and EMBASE library were searched. We only looked at higher quality articles. Among various eye care measures that have been advocated to prevent exposure keratopathy, the most effective is the application of polyethylene covers. Early diagnosis and effective treatment will help prevent microbial keratitis and visual loss.

Point prevalence of delirium among critically ill patients in Saudi Arabia: A multicenter observational study.

Background: Delirium in critically ill patients is independently associated with poor clinical outcomes. There is a scarcity of published data on the prevalence of delirium among critically ill patients in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, we sought to determine, in a multicenter fashion, the prevalence of delirium in critically ill patients in Saudi Arabia and explore associated risk factors. Methods: A cross-sectional point prevalence study was conducted on January 28, 2020, at 14 intensive care units (ICUs) across 3 universities and 11 other tertiary care hospitals in Saudi Arabia. Delirium was screened once using the Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist. We excluded patients who were unable to participate in a valid delirium assessment, patients admitted with traumatic brain injury, and patients with documented dementia in their medical charts. Results: Of the 407 screened ICU patients, 233 patients were enrolled and 45.9% were diagnosed with delirium. The prevalence was higher in mechanically ventilated patients compared to patients not mechanically ventilated (57.5% vs. 33.6%; P < 0.001). In a multivariate model, risk factors independently associated with delirium included age (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 1.021; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01-1.04; P = 0.008), mechanical ventilation (AOR, 2.39; 95% CI, 1.34-4.28; P = 0.003), and higher severity of illness (AOR, 1.01; 95% CI, 1.001-1.021; P = 0.026). Conclusion: In our study, delirium remains a prevalent complication, with distinct risk factors. Further studies are necessary to investigate long-term outcomes of delirium in critically ill patients in Saudi Arabia.

Acquired hypernatremia in a general surgical Intensive Care Unit: Incidence and prognosis.

PURPOSE: Intensive Care Unit (ICU)-acquired hypernatremia (IAH) is a serious electrolyte disturbance that recently was shown to present an independent risk factor for mortality in critically ill patients. IAH has not been widely investigated in Surgical ICU (SICU) patients. No study has specifically investigated IAH epidemiology in the Kingdome of Saudi Arabia (KSA) in general SICU. The objectives of this study are to assess the epidemiological characteristics and prognostic impact of IAH on SICU mortality and outcome in KSA and compare it with international figures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective observational study on a prospectively collected data of patients (14 years of age or older) admitted to SICU over 2 years, with normal serum sodium on admission and who developed IAH (serum sodium above 145 mmol/L) from day two of admission. Traumatic brain injury patients with therapeutic target sodium level above 145 mmol/L were excluded. RESULTS: Over 2 years study period, 864 patients were admitted to SICU. A total of 50 (5.8%) developed IAH and were included in the study. Twenty-eight (56%) patients were male. The median age was 47 (14-84) years. The mean (± standard deviation) Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score was 17 ± 6.5. The incident density (the rate of occurrence of IAH per 100 days care for SICU admission for the first episode) was 0.71. Risk factors include mechanical ventilation, male sex, age ≥50 years, postgastrointestinal surgeries, weekend and night admission. SICU mortality was 40%. The SICU and hospital median (range) length of stay was 8.3 (2-53) and 28.8 (3-95), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: IAH is not uncommon in SICU patients and is associated with increased risk of SICU as well as hospital mortality.

The rapid response team in outpatient settings identifies patients who need immediate intensive care unit admission: A call for policy maker.

BACKGROUND: Caregivers in the ambulatory care setting with differing clinical background could encounter a patient at high risk of deterioration. In the absence of a dedicated acute care team, the response to an unanticipated medical emergencies in these settings is likely to have a poor outcome. OBJECTIVE: To describe our experience in implementing an intensivist-led rapid response team (RRT) in the outpatient settings that identified patients who needed immediate Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission. The effect on in hospital arrests, mortality, and ICU outcome is not the scope of this study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective descriptive study was performed from January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2011 in a tertiary hospital. Data from hospital records were used (none from patients' records). Consent was not needed. MEASUREMENTS: Direct ICU admissions from the outpatient areas. RESULTS: There were 90 patients cared for by RRT in the outpatient's settings, 76 adult, and 14 pediatric patients. A total of12 adult patients were transferred directly to ICU. Among the patient who were transferred to the emergency department, additional four patients required to be transferred to ICU (total 16 patients [17.7%], 15 adult, and one pediatric patient). Follow-up at 24 h in the ICU showed death of one adult oncology patient (6.25%), and discharge of two patients (12.5%). Nine patients (81%) were still sick to require longer ICU stay. CONCLUSION: Intensivist-led RRT in outpatient settings identifies patients who are critically ill and in need of immediate ICU admission. Thus, an intensivist-led RRT policy in the outpatient settings needs to be implemented hospital wide.

A 70-year-old man with intraoperative hypoxia and hypotension during total hip replacement.

A 70-year-old man underwent total hip replacement surgery under general anesthesia, endotracheal intubation, and controlled ventilation, with the patient in left lateral position. Intraoperatively, the patient was hemodynamically stable, with a normal range of pulse, ECG trace, oxygen saturation as measured by pulse oximetry (Spo2), and end-tidal CO2 (etco2). Five minutes after insertion of the hip prosthesis, his heart rate dropped to 30 beats/min, BP to 40/30 mm Hg, Spo2 to 70%, and etco2 to 10 mm Hg.