A quality improvement study on how a simulation model can help decision making on organization of ICU wards.

BACKGROUND: Intensive Care Unit (ICU) capacity management is essential to provide high-quality healthcare for critically ill patients. Yet, consensus on the most favorable ICU design is lacking, especially whether ICUs should deliver dedicated or non-dedicated care. The decision for dedicated or non-dedicated ICU design considers a trade-off in the degree of specialization for individual patient care and efficient use of resources for society. We aim to share insights of a model simulating capacity effects for different ICU designs. Upon request, this simulation model is available for other ICUs. METHODS: A discrete event simulation model was developed and used, to study the hypothetical performance of a large University Hospital ICU on occupancy, rejection, and rescheduling rates for a dedicated and non-dedicated ICU design in four different scenarios. These scenarios either simulate the base-case situation of the local ICU, varying bed capacity levels, potential effects of reduced length of stay for a dedicated design and unexpected increased inflow of unplanned patients. RESULTS: The simulation model provided insights to foresee effects of capacity choices that should be made. The non-dedicated ICU design outperformed the dedicated ICU design in terms of efficient use of scarce resources. CONCLUSIONS: The choice to use dedicated ICUs does not only affect the clinical outcome, but also rejection- rescheduling and occupancy rates. Our analysis of a large university hospital demonstrates how such a model can support decision making on ICU design, in conjunction with other operation characteristics such as staffing and quality management.

Innovative Strategies for Palliative Care in the Intensive Care Unit.

Palliative care is interdisciplinary care that addresses suffering and improves the quality of care for patients and families when patients are facing a life-threatening illness. Palliative care needs in the intensive care unit include communication regarding diagnosis and prognosis, goals-of-care conversations, multidimensional pain and symptom management, and end-of-life care that may include withdrawal of mechanical ventilation and life support. Registered nurses spend the greatest amount of time with patients and families who are facing death and serious illness, so nurses must be armed with adequate training, knowledge, and necessary tools to address patient and caregiver needs and deliver high-quality, patient-centered palliative care. Innovative approaches to integrating palliative care are important components of care for intensive care nurses. This article reviews 2 evidence-based practice projects, a serious illness support tool and the 3 Wishes Project, to add to the palliative care toolkit for registered nurses and other team members.

Advanced waveform analysis of diaphragm surface EMG allows for continuous non-invasive assessment of respiratory effort in critically ill patients at different PEEP levels.

BACKGROUND: Respiratory effort should be closely monitored in mechanically ventilated ICU patients to avoid both overassistance and underassistance. Surface electromyography of the diaphragm (sEMGdi) offers a continuous and non-invasive modality to assess respiratory effort based on neuromuscular coupling (NMCdi). The sEMGdi derived electrical activity of the diaphragm (sEAdi) is prone to distortion by crosstalk from other muscles including the heart, hindering its widespread use in clinical practice. We developed an advanced analysis as well as quality criteria for sEAdi waveforms and investigated the effects of clinically relevant levels of PEEP on non-invasive NMCdi. METHODS: NMCdi was derived by dividing end-expiratory occlusion pressure (Pocc) by sEAdi, based on three consecutive Pocc manoeuvres at four incremental (+ 2 cmH2O/step) PEEP levels in stable ICU patients on pressure support ventilation. Pocc and sEAdi quality was assessed by applying a novel, automated advanced signal analysis, based on tolerant and strict cut-off criteria, and excluding inadequate waveforms. The coefficient of variations (CoV) of NMCdi after basic manual and automated advanced quality assessment were evaluated, as well as the effect of an incremental PEEP trial on NMCdi. RESULTS: 593 manoeuvres were obtained from 42 PEEP trials in 17 ICU patients. Waveform exclusion was primarily based on low sEAdi signal-to-noise ratio (Ntolerant = 155, 37%, Nstrict = 241, 51% waveforms excluded), irregular or abrupt cessation of Pocc (Ntolerant = 145, 35%, Nstrict = 145, 31%), and high sEAdi area under the baseline (Ntolerant = 94, 23%, Nstrict = 79, 17%). Strict automated assessment allowed to reduce CoV of NMCdi to 15% from 37% for basic quality assessment. As PEEP was increased, NMCdi decreased significantly by 4.9 percentage point per cmH2O. CONCLUSION: Advanced signal analysis of both Pocc and sEAdi greatly facilitates automated and well-defined identification of high-quality waveforms. In the critically ill, this approach allowed to demonstrate a dynamic NMCdi (Pocc/sEAdi) decrease upon PEEP increments, emphasising that sEAdi-based assessment of respiratory effort should be related to PEEP dependent diaphragm function. This novel, non-invasive methodology forms an important methodological foundation for more robust, continuous, and comprehensive assessment of respiratory effort at the bedside.

Quality improvement collaborative for improving patient care delivery in Argentine public health sector intensive care units.

BACKGROUND: The demand for healthcare services during the COVID-19 pandemic was excessive for less-resourced settings, with intensive care units (ICUs) taking the heaviest toll. OBJECTIVE: The aim was to achieve adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) use in 90% of patient encounters, to reach 90% compliance with objectives of patient flow (OPF) and to provide emotional support tools to 90% of healthcare workers (HCWs). METHODS: We conducted a quasi-experimental study with an interrupted time-series design in 14 ICUs in Argentina. We randomly selected adult critically ill patients admitted from July 2020 to July 2021 and active HCWs in the same period. We implemented a quality improvement collaborative (QIC) with a baseline phase (BP) and an intervention phase (IP). The QIC included learning sessions, periods of action and improvement cycles (plan-do-study-act) virtually coached by experts via platform web-based activities. The main study outcomes encompassed the following elements: proper utilisation of PPE, compliance with nine specific OPF using daily goal sheets through direct observations and utilisation of a web-based tool for tracking emotional well-being among HCWs. RESULTS: We collected 7341 observations of PPE use (977 in BP and 6364 in IP) with an improvement in adequate use from 58.4% to 71.9% (RR 1.2, 95% CI 1.17 to 1.29, p<0.001). We observed 7428 patient encounters to evaluate compliance with 9 OPF (879 in BP and 6549 in IP) with an improvement in compliance from 53.9% to 67% (RR 1.24, 95% CI 1.17 to 1.32, p<0.001). The results showed that HCWs did not use the support tool for self-mental health evaluation as much as expected. CONCLUSION: A QIC was effective in improving healthcare processes and adequate PPE use, even in the context of a pandemic, indicating the possibility of expanding QIC networks nationwide to improve overall healthcare delivery. The limited reception of emotional support tools requires further analyses.

Development and external validation of a machine learning model for the prediction of persistent acute kidney injury stage 3 in multi-centric, multi-national intensive care cohorts.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to develop and validate on multiple international datasets a real-time machine learning model able to accurately predict persistent acute kidney injury (AKI) in the intensive care unit (ICU). METHODS: We selected adult patients admitted to ICU classified as AKI stage 2 or 3 as defined by the "Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes" criteria. The primary endpoint was the ability to predict AKI stage 3 lasting for at least 72 h while in the ICU. An explainable tree regressor was trained and calibrated on two tertiary, urban, academic, single-center databases and externally validated on two multi-centers databases. RESULTS: A total of 7759 ICU patients were enrolled for analysis. The incidence of persistent stage 3 AKI varied from 11 to 6% in the development and internal validation cohorts, respectively and 19% in external validation cohorts. The model achieved area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.94 (95% CI 0.92-0.95) in the US external validation cohort and 0.85 (95% CI 0.83-0.88) in the Italian external validation cohort. CONCLUSIONS: A machine learning approach fed with the proper data pipeline can accurately predict onset of Persistent AKI Stage 3 during ICU patient stay in retrospective, multi-centric and international datasets. This model has the potential to improve management of AKI episodes in ICU if implemented in clinical practice.

Promoting End-of-Life Care and Healthcare Worker Well-Being: Implementing the 3 Wishes Project in an Oncology Intensive Care Unit.

This scholarly project implemented the 3 Wishes Project (3WP), which aims to fulfill the final wishes of dying critically ill patients, in a 16-bed tertiary intensive care unit (ICU). The project assessed outcomes through sur.

[Construction and application of sepsis bundle therapy management and practice program].

OBJECTIVE: To construct a bundled therapy management and practice program for sepsis and explore its clinical application effect. METHODS: (1) Construction of sepsis bundled therapy management and practice program: a project team was established to conduct literature review, select experts, compile and distribute questionnaires, organize, analyze expert opinions, and ensure quality control throughout the research process. From October to November 2022, expert letter consultation was carried out, and questionnaires were distributed and collected by on-site filling and WeChat. The Likert 5-point scale was used to rate each item. (2) Clinical application of the protocol: ninety patients with sepsis admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from January to July 2022 were retrospectively selected as the control group, and routine bundle treatment and nursing strategy for sepsis were adopted. Ninety patients with sepsis admitted from January to July 2023 were prospectively selected as the intervention group. Based on the treatment and nursing strategy of the control group, sepsis bundled therapy management and practice program constructed using the Delphi inquiry method was implemented. The completion rate of 1-hour, 3-hour and 6-hour bundle, the levels of inflammatory indicators at 1, 3, 7 days of treatment, and prognostic indicators were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: (1) Construction of sepsis bundled therapy management and practice program: the final plan consists of 4 primary indicators, 15 secondary indicators and 34 tertiary indicators. The response rates for both rounds of inquiry questionnaires were 100%. The coefficients of expert authority value were 0.948 and 0.940, respectively. The coefficient of variation for each item was 0-0.287 and 0-0.187, respectively. Kendall's W coefficients were 0.242 and 0.249, respectively, with statistical significances (all P < 0.05). (2) Clinical application of the protocol: there were no statistically significant differences in baseline data such as age, gender, infection site, pathogen species, duration of mechanical ventilation, sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA), acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHE II) between the two groups. The completion rate of 1-hour, 3-hour and 6-hour bundle in the intervention group were higher than those in the control group (1-hour bundle completion rate: 53.30% vs. 21.10%, 3-hour bundle completion rate: 92.20% vs. 80.00%, 6-hour bundle completion rate: 88.89% vs. 65.56%, all P < 0.05). The levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), white blood cell count (WBC), procalcitonin (PCT), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in two groups of patients showed statistically significant differences at different time points, between groups, and in interaction effects. Compared with the control group, the length of ICU stay in the intervention group was significantly shortened [days: 7.00 (4.00, 14.00) vs. 8.00 (7.00, 20.00), P < 0.01], and the hospitalization cost of ICU was significantly reduced [ten thousand yuan: 4.63 (3.36, 6.19) vs. 6.46 (3.32, 11.34), P < 0.05]. The 28-day mortality in the intervention group was lower than that in the control group (33.33% vs. 46.67%), but the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The constructed bundled therapy management and practice program for sepsis can improve the completion rate of bundle treatment, shorten the length of ICU stay of sepsis patients, reduce the hospitalization cost in ICU, and have a tendency to reduce the 28-day mortality.

Standard vs. carbone dioxide adapted kidney replacement therapy in hypercapnic ARDS patients: a randomized controlled pilot trial (BigBIC).

BACKGROUND: Current continuous kidney replacement therapy (CKRT) protocols ignore physiological renal compensation for hypercapnia. This study aimed to explore feasibility, safety, and clinical benefits of pCO2-adapted CKRT for hypercapnic acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) patients with indication for CKRT. METHODS: We enrolled mechanically ventilated hypercapnic ARDS patients (pCO2 > 7.33 kPa) receiving regional citrate anticoagulation (RCA) based CKRT in a prospective, randomized-controlled pilot-study across five intensive care units at the Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany. Patients were randomly assigned 1:1 to the control group with bicarbonate targeted to 24 mmol/l or pCO2-adapted-CKRT with target bicarbonate corresponding to physiological renal compensation. Study duration was six days. Primary outcome was bicarbonate after 72 h. Secondary endpoints included safety and clinical endpoints. Endpoints were assessed in all patients receiving treatment. RESULTS: From September 2021 to May 2023 40 patients (80% male) were enrolled. 19 patients were randomized to the control group, 21 patients were randomized to pCO2-adapted-CKRT. Five patients were excluded before receiving treatment: three in the control group (consent withdrawal, lack of inclusion criteria fulfillment (n = 2)) and two in the intervention group (lack of inclusion criteria fulfillment, sudden unexpected death) and were therefore not included in the analysis. Median plasma bicarbonate 72 h after randomization was significantly higher in the intervention group (30.70 mmol/l (IQR 29.48; 31.93)) than in the control group (26.40 mmol/l (IQR 25.63; 26.88); p < 0.0001). More patients in the intervention group received lung protective ventilation defined as tidal volume < 8 ml/kg predicted body weight. Thirty-day mortality was 10/16 (63%) in the control group vs. 8/19 (42%) in the intervention group (p = 0.26). CONCLUSION: Tailoring CKRT to physiological renal compensation of respiratory acidosis appears feasible and safe with the potential to improve patient care in hypercapnic ARDS. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial was registered in the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00026177) on September 9, 2021 and is now closed.

Prevalence and factors associated with inappropriate continuation of stress ulcer prophylaxis at discharge.

Stress ulcer prophylaxis is started in the critical care unit to decrease the risk of upper gastrointestinal ulcers in critically ill persons and to decrease mortality caused by stress ulcer complications. Unfortunately, the drugs are often continued after recovery through discharge, paving the way for unnecessary polypharmacy. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study including patients admitted to the adult critical care unit and started on the stress ulcer prophylaxis with a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) or histamine receptor 2 blocker (H2 blocker) with an aim to determine the prevalence of inappropriate continuation at discharge and associated factors. RESULT: 3200 people were initiated on stress ulcer prophylaxis, and the medication was continued in 1666 patients upon discharge. Indication for long-term use was not found in 744 of 1666, with a 44% prevalence of inappropriate continuation. A statistically significant association was found with the following risk factors: discharge disposition (home vs other medical facilities, p=0.002), overall length of stay (more than 10 days vs less than or equal to 10 days, p<0.0001), mechanical ventilator use (p<0.001), number of days on a mechanical ventilator (more than 2 days vs less than or equal to 2 days, p<0.001) and class of stress ulcer prophylaxis drug used (H2 blocker vs PPI, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of inappropriate continuation was found to be higher than prior studies. Given the risk of unnecessary medication intake and the associated healthcare cost, a web-based quality improvement initiative is being considered.

Sepsis mortality among patients with haematological malignancy admitted to intensive care 2000-2022: a binational cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Sepsis occurs in 12-27% of patients with haematological malignancy within a year of diagnosis. Sepsis mortality has improved in non-cancer patients in the last two decades, but longitudinal trends in patients with haematological malignancy are not well characterised. We aimed to compare outcomes, including temporal changes, in patients with and without a haematological malignancy admitted to ICU with a primary diagnosis of sepsis in Australia and New Zealand over the past two decades. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study of 282,627 patients with a primary intensive care unit (ICU) admission diagnosis of sepsis including 17,313 patients with haematological malignancy, admitted to 216 intensive care units (ICUs) in Australia or New Zealand between January 2000 and December 2022. Annual crude and adjusted in-hospital mortality were reported. Risk factors for in-hospital mortality were determined using a mixed methods logistic regression model and were used to calculate annual changes in mortality. RESULTS: In-hospital sepsis mortality decreased in patients with haematological malignancy, from 55.6% (95% CI 46.5-64.6%) in 2000 to 23.1% (95% CI 20.8-25.5%) in 2021. In patients without haematological malignancy mortality decreased from 33.1% (95% CI 31.3-35.1%) to 14.4% (95% CI 13.8-14.8%). This decrease remained significant after adjusting for mortality predictors including age, SOFA score and comorbidities, as estimated by adjusted annual odds of in-hospital death. The reduction in odds of death was of greater magnitude in patients with haematological malignancy than those without (OR 0.954, 95% CI 0.947-0.961 vs. OR 0.968, 95% CI 0.966-0.971, p < 0.001). However, absolute risk of in-hospital mortality remained higher in patients with haematological malignancy. Older age, higher SOFA score, presence of comorbidities, and mechanical ventilation were associated with increased mortality. Leukopenia (white cell count < 1.0 × 109 cells/L) was not associated with increased mortality in patients with haematological malignancy (p = 0.60). CONCLUSIONS: Sepsis mortality has improved in patients with haematological malignancy admitted to ICU. However, mortality remains higher in patients with haematological malignancy than those without.

Effects of non-invasive respiratory support in post-operative patients: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Re-intubation secondary to post-extubation respiratory failure in post-operative patients is associated with increased patient morbidity and mortality. Non-invasive respiratory support (NRS) alternative to conventional oxygen therapy (COT), i.e., high-flow nasal oxygen, continuous positive airway pressure, and non-invasive ventilation (NIV), has been proposed to prevent or treat post-extubation respiratory failure. Aim of the present study is assessing the effects of NRS application, compared to COT, on the re-intubation rate (primary outcome), and time to re-intubation, incidence of nosocomial pneumonia, patient discomfort, intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital length of stay, and mortality (secondary outcomes) in adult patients extubated after surgery. METHODS: A systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized and non-randomized controlled trials. A search from Medline, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Web of Science from inception until February 2, 2024 was performed. RESULTS: Thirty-three studies (11,292 patients) were included. Among all NRS modalities, only NIV reduced the re-intubation rate, compared to COT (odds ratio 0.49, 95% confidence interval 0.28; 0.87, p = 0.015, I2 = 60.5%, low certainty of evidence). In particular, this effect was observed in patients receiving NIV for treatment, while not for prevention, of post-extubation respiratory failure, and in patients at high, while not low, risk of post-extubation respiratory failure. NIV reduced the rate of nosocomial pneumonia, ICU length of stay, and ICU, hospital, and long-term mortality, while not worsening patient discomfort. CONCLUSIONS: In post-operative patients receiving NRS after extubation, NIV reduced the rate of re-intubation, compared to COT, when used for treatment of post-extubation respiratory failure and in patients at high risk of post-extubation respiratory failure.

Enhanced Skin Assessment Methodology to Detect Early Tissue Damage and Prevent Pressure Injuries.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate a skin assessment technique, subepidermal moisture (SEM) assessment, to assess, identify, and prevent pressure injuries (PIs) in critically ill adults. DESIGN: This was a retrospective, descriptive, comparative research study. SUBJECTS AND SETTING: The sample comprised 69 critically ill adults; their mean age was 58.8 years (SD 18.1 years). The majority were male (n = 40, 58%), 29 (42%) were African American (AA), and 36 (52%) were White. The study setting was a surgical trauma intensive care unit (STICU) in a southern US Gulf Coast academic level I trauma hospital. Data were collected from September to November 2021. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective medical record review of subjects who had undergone SEM assessment. We also collected demographic and pertinent clinical information, including Braden Scale cumulative scores and subscale scores, documented PI prevention interventions, and PI occurrence and characteristics if developed within 7 days of SEM measurement. We also evaluated whether PI prevention interventions were appropriate. To examine nurse perception of the SEM device, we conducted a web-based survey of nurses providing care in our facility's STICU. Comparison of responses was done using Fisher's test or Chi-square test, and the mean responses from groups were compared using t test. RESULTS: Thirty-five (57%) subjects had a sacral SEM delta ≥0.6; 14 (40%) were AA; 20 (57%) were White; and 11 (31%) had a hospital-acquired PI (HAPI) or present-on-admission (POA) PI. Among the 14 HAPI and POA PI subjects with sacral SEM delta, 11 (79%) had sacral SEM delta ≥0.6. Among 26 AA subjects with sacral SEM delta, 5 had a HAPI or POA PI, and of those, 4 (80%) had sacral SEM delta ≥0.6. A significant and negative correlation was observed between cumulative Braden Scale scores on day 2 and sacral SEM delta (r = -0.28, P = .03) and R heel delta (r = -0.29, P = .03) scores, indicating higher PI risk. Of the 35 patients with a sacral SEM delta ≥0.6, 24 (69%) subjects did not have appropriate PI prevention interventions. Nurses (n = 13) indicated that the SEM device was easy to use and helped them perform an accurate skin assessment on patients with darker skin tones. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that SEM technology is beneficial to address racial disparities in skin assessment, enhance skin assessment accuracy beyond existing PI care, improve the accuracy of risk assessment, and promote appropriate location-specific PI prevention interventions.

Protocolized reduction of non-resuscitation fluids versus usual care in septic shock patients (REDUSE): a randomized multicentre feasibility trial.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Non-resuscitation fluids constitute the majority of fluid administered for septic shock patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). This multicentre, randomized, feasibility trial was conducted to test the hypothesis that a restrictive protocol targeting non-resuscitation fluids reduces the overall volume administered compared with usual care. METHODS: Adults with septic shock in six Swedish ICUs were randomized within 12 h of ICU admission to receive either protocolized reduction of non-resuscitation fluids or usual care. The primary outcome was the total volume of fluid administered within three days of inclusion. RESULTS: Median (IQR) total volume of fluid in the first three days, was 6008 ml (interquartile range [IQR] 3960-8123) in the restrictive fluid group (n = 44), and 9765 ml (IQR 6804-12,401) in the control group (n = 48); corresponding to a Hodges-Lehmann median difference of 3560 ml [95% confidence interval 1614-5302]; p < 0.001). Outcome data on all-cause mortality, days alive and free of mechanical ventilation and acute kidney injury or ischemic events in the ICU within 90 days of inclusion were recorded in 98/98 (100%), 95/98 (98%) and 95/98 (98%) of participants respectively. Cognition and health-related quality of life at six months were recorded in 39/52 (75%) and 41/52 (79%) of surviving participants, respectively. Ninety out of 134 patients (67%) of eligible patients were randomized, and 15/98 (15%) of the participants experienced at least one protocol violation. CONCLUSION: Protocolized reduction of non-resuscitation fluids in patients with septic shock resulted in a large decrease in fluid administration compared with usual care. A trial using this design to test if reducing non-resuscitation fluids improves outcomes is feasible. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT05249088, 18 February 2022. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05249088.

Targeted temperature control following traumatic brain injury: ESICM/NACCS best practice consensus recommendations.

AIMS AND SCOPE: The aim of this panel was to develop consensus recommendations on targeted temperature control (TTC) in patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) and in patients with moderate TBI who deteriorate and require admission to the intensive care unit for intracranial pressure (ICP) management. METHODS: A group of 18 international neuro-intensive care experts in the acute management of TBI participated in a modified Delphi process. An online anonymised survey based on a systematic literature review was completed ahead of the meeting, before the group convened to explore the level of consensus on TTC following TBI. Outputs from the meeting were combined into a further anonymous online survey round to finalise recommendations. Thresholds of ≥ 16 out of 18 panel members in agreement (≥ 88%) for strong consensus and ≥ 14 out of 18 (≥ 78%) for moderate consensus were prospectively set for all statements. RESULTS: Strong consensus was reached on TTC being essential for high-quality TBI care. It was recommended that temperature should be monitored continuously, and that fever should be promptly identified and managed in patients perceived to be at risk of secondary brain injury. Controlled normothermia (36.0-37.5 °C) was strongly recommended as a therapeutic option to be considered in tier 1 and 2 of the Seattle International Severe Traumatic Brain Injury Consensus Conference ICP management protocol. Temperature control targets should be individualised based on the perceived risk of secondary brain injury and fever aetiology. CONCLUSIONS: Based on a modified Delphi expert consensus process, this report aims to inform on best practices for TTC delivery for patients following TBI, and to highlight areas of need for further research to improve clinical guidelines in this setting.

Assessing the impact of early progressive mobilization on moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury: a randomized controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of neurodisability worldwide, with notably high disability rates among moderately severe TBI cases. Extensive previous research emphasizes the critical need for early initiation of rehabilitation interventions for these cases. However, the optimal timing and methodology of early mobilization in TBI remain to be conclusively determined. Therefore, we explored the impact of early progressive mobilization (EPM) protocols on the functional outcomes of ICU-admitted patients with moderate to severe TBI. METHODS: This randomized controlled trial was conducted at a trauma ICU of a medical center; 65 patients were randomly assigned to either the EPM group or the early progressive upright positioning (EPUP) group. The EPM group received early out-of-bed mobilization therapy within seven days after injury, while the EPUP group underwent early in-bed upright position rehabilitation. The primary outcome was the Perme ICU Mobility Score and secondary outcomes included Functional Independence Measure motor domain (FIM-motor) score, phase angle (PhA), skeletal muscle index (SMI), the length of stay in the intensive care unit (ICU), and duration of ventilation. RESULTS: Among 65 randomized patients, 33 were assigned to EPM and 32 to EPUP group. The EPM group significantly outperformed the EPUP group in the Perme ICU Mobility and FIM-motor scores, with a notably shorter ICU stay by 5.9 days (p < 0.001) and ventilation duration by 6.7 days (p = 0.001). However, no significant differences were observed in PhAs. CONCLUSION: The early progressive out-of-bed mobilization protocol can enhance mobility and functional outcomes and shorten ICU stay and ventilation duration of patients with moderate-to-severe TBI. Our study's results support further investigation of EPM through larger, randomized clinical trials. Clinical trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04810273 . Registered 13 March 2021.

Dyspnea is severe and associated with a higher intubation rate in de novo acute hypoxemic respiratory failure.

BACKGROUND: Dyspnea is a key symptom of de novo acute hypoxemic respiratory failure. This study explores dyspnea and its association with intubation and mortality in this population. METHODS: This was a secondary analysis of a multicenter, randomized, controlled trial. Dyspnea was quantified by a visual analog scale (dyspnea-VAS) from zero to 100 mm. Dyspnea was measured in 259 of the 310 patients included. Factors associated with intubation were assessed with a competing risks model taking into account ICU discharge. The Cox model was used to evaluate factors associated with 90-day mortality. RESULTS: At baseline (randomization in the parent trial), median dyspnea-VAS was 46 (interquartile range, 16-65) mm and was ≥ 40 mm in 146 patients (56%). The intubation rate was 45%. Baseline variables independently associated with intubation were moderate (dyspnea-VAS 40-64 mm) and severe (dyspnea-VAS ≥ 65 mm) dyspnea at baseline (sHR 1.96 and 2.61, p = 0.023), systolic arterial pressure (sHR 2.56, p < 0.001), heart rate (sHR 1.94, p = 0.02) and PaO2/FiO2 (sHR 0.34, p = 0.028). 90-day mortality was 20%. The cumulative probability of survival was lower in patients with baseline dyspnea-VAS ≥ 40 mm (logrank test, p = 0.049). Variables independently associated with mortality were SAPS 2 ≥ 25 (p < 0.001), moderate-to-severe dyspnea at baseline (p = 0.073), PaO2/FiO2 (p = 0.118), and treatment arm (p = 0.046). CONCLUSIONS: In patients admitted to the ICU for de novo acute hypoxemic respiratory failure, dyspnea is associated with a higher risk of intubation and with a higher mortality. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier # NCT01320384.

Prognostic value of early EEG abnormalities in severe stroke patients requiring mechanical ventilation: a pre-planned analysis of the SPICE prospective multicenter study.

INTRODUCTION: Prognostication of outcome in severe stroke patients necessitating invasive mechanical ventilation poses significant challenges. The objective of this study was to assess the prognostic significance and prevalence of early electroencephalogram (EEG) abnormalities in adult stroke patients receiving mechanical ventilation. METHODS: This study is a pre-planned ancillary investigation within the prospective multicenter SPICE cohort study (2017-2019), conducted in 33 intensive care units (ICUs) in the Paris area, France. We included adult stroke patients requiring invasive mechanical ventilation, who underwent at least one intermittent EEG examination during their ICU stay. The primary endpoint was the functional neurological outcome at one year, determined using the modified Rankin scale (mRS), and dichotomized as unfavorable (mRS 4-6, indicating severe disability or death) or favorable (mRS 0-3). Multivariable regression analyses were employed to identify EEG abnormalities associated with functional outcomes. RESULTS: Of the 364 patients enrolled in the SPICE study, 153 patients (49 ischemic strokes, 52 intracranial hemorrhages, and 52 subarachnoid hemorrhages) underwent at least one EEG at a median time of 4 (interquartile range 2-7) days post-stroke. Rates of diffuse slowing (70% vs. 63%, p = 0.37), focal slowing (38% vs. 32%, p = 0.15), periodic discharges (2.3% vs. 3.7%, p = 0.9), and electrographic seizures (4.5% vs. 3.7%, p = 0.4) were comparable between patients with unfavorable and favorable outcomes. Following adjustment for potential confounders, an unreactive EEG background to auditory and pain stimulations (OR 6.02, 95% CI 2.27-15.99) was independently associated with unfavorable outcomes. An unreactive EEG predicted unfavorable outcome with a specificity of 48% (95% CI 40-56), sensitivity of 79% (95% CI 72-85), and positive predictive value (PPV) of 74% (95% CI 67-81). Conversely, a benign EEG (defined as continuous and reactive background activity without seizure, periodic discharges, triphasic waves, or burst suppression) predicted favorable outcome with a specificity of 89% (95% CI 84-94), and a sensitivity of 37% (95% CI 30-45). CONCLUSION: The absence of EEG reactivity independently predicts unfavorable outcomes at one year in severe stroke patients requiring mechanical ventilation in the ICU, although its prognostic value remains limited. Conversely, a benign EEG pattern was associated with a favorable outcome.

Triggers of intensive care patients with palliative care needs from nurses' perspective: a mixed methods study.

PURPOSE: Triggers have been developed internationally to identify intensive care patients with palliative care needs. Due to their work, nurses are close to the patient and their perspective should therefore be included. In this study, potential triggers were first identified and then a questionnaire was developed to analyse their acceptance among German intensive care nurses. METHODS: For the qualitative part of this mixed methods study, focus groups were conducted with intensive care nurses from different disciplines (surgery, neurosurgery, internal medicine), which were selected by convenience. Data were analysed using the "content-structuring content analysis" according to Kuckartz. For the quantitative study part, the thus identified triggers formed the basis for questionnaire items. The questionnaire was tested for comprehensibility in cognitive pretests and for feasibility in a pilot survey. RESULTS: In the qualitative part six focus groups were conducted at four university hospitals. From the data four main categories (prognosis, interprofessional cooperation, relatives, patients) with three to 15 subcategories each could be identified. The nurses described situations requiring palliative care consults that related to the severity of the disease, the therapeutic course, communication within the team and between team and patient/relatives, and typical characteristics of patients and relatives. In addition, a professional conflict between nurses and physicians emerged. The questionnaire, which was developed after six cognitive interviews, consists of 32 items plus one open question. The pilot had a response rate of 76.7% (23/30), whereby 30 triggers were accepted with an agreement of ≥ 50%. CONCLUSION: Intensive care nurses see various triggers, with interprofessional collaboration and the patient's prognosis playing a major role. The questionnaire can be used for further surveys, e.g. interprofessional triggers could be developed.