The Benefits of a Nurse-Driven, Patient- and Family-Centered Pediatric Palliative Care Program.

This article describes the program and outcomes of a nurse driven, patient- and family-centered pediatric advanced comprehensive care team (PACCT) palliative program. This care delivery model improved patient outcomes by providing care across the healthcare continuum for pediatric patients. Since the inception of PACCT, no child has died on a ventilator in the pediatric ICU associated with end-of-life-related issues.

Subacute fulminant hepatic failure with intermittent fever.

BACKGROUND: Viral hepatitis B accounts for over 80% of acute hepatic failures in China and the patients die mainly of its complications. A patient with hepatic failure and fever is not uncommon, whereas repeated fever is rare. METHODS: A 32-year-old female was diagnosed with subacute hepatic failure and hepatitis B viral infection because of hyperbilirubinemia, coagulopathy, hepatic encephalopathy, serum anti-HBs-positive without hepatitis B vaccination, and typical intrahepatic pathological features of chronic hepatitis B. Plasma exchange was administered twice and she awoke with hyperbilirubinemia and discontinuous fever. RESULTS: Urethritis was confirmed and medication-induced fever and/or spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (Gram-negative bacillus infection) was suspected. The patient was treated with antibiotics, steroids and a Chinese herbal medicine, matrine, for three months and she recovered. CONCLUSION: The survival rate of patients with hepatic failure might be improved with comprehensive supporting measures and appropriate, timely management of complications.