Reducing length of stay and improving quality of care by implementation of informatics system and care bundle in the intensive care unit

ABSTRACT Background: Clinical situations in intensive care units (ICUs) change rapidly, and many factors may prolong the length of stay (LOS) of patients. Objectives: The objectives of the study were to examine the effects of implementing an electronic-ICU (e-ICU) and an informatics system in an ICU on the LOS of patients and quality of care. Methods: We evaluated the implementation of a technology electronic dashboard-ICU (TED-ICU) system to upload automatically physiological information and clinical data within the critical care unit for providing real-time information to the care team. Furthermore, TED-ICU software automatically performed Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) every 48 h. If a patient's SOFA score decreased by more than 2 points, there was an automatic reminder for transferring patients to the general ward. We prospectively collected data for this study from the ICU before and after implementing the e-ICU. Results: In total, 2248 patients were admitted to our ICU during the study period (1147 and 1101 patients before and after TED-ICU implementation, respectively). Demographic characteristics and in-hospital mortality rates did not differ significantly between the two groups, and the LOS decreased from 7.26 to 5.53 days (p < 0.01). Conclusion: Implementing an informatics system (TED-ICU) and care bundle in ICUs can reduce the LOS.

Intramural duodenal hematoma and hemoperitoneum in anticoagulant therapy following upper gastrointestinal endoscopy

To report the unusual occurrence of intramural duodenal hematoma in a case on anticoagulant therapy, presenting as a complication of gastrointestinal endoscopy. A 74-year-old female patient developed nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain, and subsequently hypovolemic shock, 2 days after fiberoptic upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. The patient's international normalized ratio value was 2.7. A computed tomographic scan of the abdomen demonstrated duodenal wall thickening with intramural hematoma, as well as hematoma in the pararenal space and pelvic cavity. The patient was treated by conservative treatment that included correction of clotting abnormalities, blood transfusion, nasogastric decompression, hydration, and parenteral nutrition support. She resumed oral intake after 10 days of support treatment, recovering uneventfully. This case shows the possibility of development of an intramural duodenal hematoma in patients on anticoagulant therapy, without biopsies being taken