Update on the Epimed Monitor Adult ICU Database: 15 years of its use in national registries, quality improvement initiatives and clinical research.

In recent decades, several databases of critically ill patients have become available in both low-, middle-, and high-income countries from all continents. These databases are also rich sources of data for the surveillance of emerging diseases, intensive care unit performance evaluation and benchmarking, quality improvement projects and clinical research. The Epimed Monitor database is turning 15 years old in 2024 and has become one of the largest of these databases. In recent years, there has been rapid geographical expansion, an increase in the number of participating intensive care units and hospitals, and the addition of several new variables and scores, allowing a more complete characterization of patients to facilitate multicenter clinical studies. As of December 2023, the database was being used regularly for 23,852 beds in 1,723 intensive care units and 763 hospitals from ten countries, totaling more than 5.6 million admissions. In addition, critical care societies have adopted the system and its database to establish national registries and international collaborations. In the present review, we provide an updated description of the database; report experiences of its use in critical care for quality improvement initiatives, national registries and clinical research; and explore other potential future perspectives and developments.

Impacto de la implementación de la estrategia multimodal de la OMS para mejorar la higiene de manos en una Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos / Impact on implementation of multimodal of World Health Organization strategies to improve hand hygiene in an Intensive Care Unit

INTRODUCCIÓN: La higiene de manos (HM) es la principal medida para disminuir las IAAS, las que en las Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos (UCI) presentan una alta prevalencia. En Chile no existe información sobre el impacto de la estrategia multimodal de la OMS para la HM en adultos. El objetivo fue evaluar el impacto de la implementación de la estrategia en una UPC. METODOLOGÍA: Estudio longitudinal con evaluación pre y post-intervención, entre los años 2018 y 2021, en la UCI del Hospital del Trabajador (HT), Santiago, Chile. La implementación se evaluó con pautas de cumplimiento de HM, consumo de jabón y productos en base alcohólica (PBA). El impacto se midió con las tasas de neumonía asociada a ventilación mecánica (NAVM), infecciones del torrente sanguíneo asociadas a CVC (ITS- CVC) y del tracto urinario por CUP (ITU-CUP), y la incidencia anual de dermatitis. RESULTADOS: El cumplimiento de pautas aumentó de 91 a 96% (p < 0,05). El consumo total de productos para la HM aumentó de 0,17 a 0,31 L/día/cama y de PBA en 10%. Las tasas de IAAS pre y post-intervención fueron para NAVM de 10,3 y 8,4; ITS-CVC de 0,8 y 1,5 e ITU-CUP de 4,2 y 5,3 por 1.000 días de exposición. La incidencia anual de dermatitis disminuyó en 30% (p < 0,05). CONCLUSIONES: La implementación de la estrategia multimodal se asoció a una disminución de las tasas de NAVM y de dermatitis en la UCI del HT.

INTRODUCTION: Hand hygiene is the main measure to decrease infections related to healthcare and the Intensive Care Unit has a high prevalence. In Chile there aren't reports about the impact of the World Health Organization multimodal hand hygiene improvement strategy. AIM: To assess the implementation impact of this strategy at the ICU. METHODOLOGY: Longitudinal study with pre- and postintervention evaluation during the years 2018-2021 at ICU. The implementation was assessed against hand hygiene compliance guidelines, soap consumption and alcohol-based products. The impact was evaluated with the rates of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), catheter related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) and catheter associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) and the annual dermatitis incidence. RESULTS: The guidelines compliance increased from 91% to 96% (p < 0.05). The total product consumption increased from 0.17 to 0.31 Liters/day/bed. The use of alcohol-based products increased by 10%. HAI rates pre- and post-intervention were for VAP 10.3 and 8.4, CRBSI 0.8 and 1.5 and CAUTI 4.2 and 5.3. The annual dermatitis incidence decreased by 30.8% (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The strategy implementation benefited the decrease of VAP and the dermatitis prevention in ICU.

Are patient volume and care level in teaching hospitals variables affecting clinical outcomes in adult intensive care units?

Teixeira et al. showed that patients admitted to the intensive care unit of a teaching hospital in a non-metropolitan region needed more support, had worse prognostic indices, and had a higher nursing workload in the first 24 hours of admission. In addition, worse outcomes, including mortality, need for dialysis, pressure injury, infection, prolonged mechanical ventilation, and prolonged hospital stay, were observed in the teaching hospital. Worse outcomes were more prevalent in the teaching hospital. Understanding the importance of teaching hospitals to implement well-established care protocols is critical. OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical outcomes of patients admitted to the intensive care unit of teaching (HI) and nonteaching (without an academic affiliation; H2) hospitals. METHODS: In this prospective cohort study, adult patients hospitalized between August 2018 and July 2019, with a minimum length of stay of 24 hours in the intensive care unit, were included. Patients with no essential information in their medical records to evaluate the study outcomes were excluded. Resuslts: Overall, 219 patients participated in this study. The clinical and demographic characteristics of patients in H1 and H2 were similar. The most prevalent clinical outcomes were death, need for dialysis, pressure injury, length of hospital stay, mechanical ventilation >48 hours, and infection, all of which were more prevalent in the teaching hospital. CONCLUSION: Worse outcomes were more prevalent in the teaching hospital. There was no difference between the institutions concerning the survival rate of patients as a function of length of hospital stay; however, a difference was observed in intensive care unit admissions.

Panorama da qualidade biológica da água destinada ao tratamento dialítico em pacientes sob cuidados críticos em Unidades de Terapia Intensiva / Overview of the biological quality of water intended for dialysis treatment in patients under critical care in Intensive Care Units

A incidência da lesão renal aguda caracteriza-se como evento frequente em pacientes críticos internados em Unidades de Terapia Intensiva e está associada ao aumento de mortalidade, causando grande impacto à Saúde Pública. As intercorrências clínicas são minimizadas com intervenções dialíticas, acarretando a exposição do paciente a volumes expressivos de água tratada durante a terapia renal em leito. As análises microbiológicas e de determinação de endotoxinas bacterianas em amostras de água tratada e em soluções de dialisato foram executadas em dois hospitais públicos do município de São Paulo, seguindo metodologias analíticas preconizadas em compêndios oficiais. A avaliação demonstrou que a porcentagem de resultados satisfatórios no período de 2010 a 2022 variou entre 35,2 a 100% e de 40 a 100% para as unidades hospitalares I e II para a água tratada, respectivamente; e, 100% para as soluções de dialisato para a unidade hospitalar I. A eficácia de ações delineadas pelas equipes técnicas das unidades hospitalares, na adequação da água destinada à terapia dialítica, aponta para a importância em estimular outras instituições hospitalares na padronização e implantação de melhoria contínua de seus sistemas de tratamento de água para uso em procedimento dialítico, prevenindo riscos adicionais aos pacientes expostos à terapia renal.

The incidence of acute kidney is high among critically ill patients admitted to Intensive Care Units and is associated with increased mortality, having a major impact on public health. Clinical complications are minimized with dialysis interventions, which expose patients to significant volumes of treated water during in-bed renal therapy. Microbiological analyzes and determination of bacterial endotoxins were performed on treated water samples and dialysate solutions in two public hospitals in São Paulo city, using analytical methodologies recommended in official compendia. The evaluation showed that the percentage of satisfactory results for treated water ranged from 35.2% to 100% in Hospital Unit I and from 40% to 100% in Hospital Unit II between 2010 and 2022. For dialysate solutions in Hospital Unit I, the percentage of satisfactory results was 100% during the same period. The effectiveness of actions implemented by the technical hospital teams, in adapting water for dialysis therapy, points to the importance of encouraging other hospital institutions to standardize and implement a program of continuous improvement for their water treatment systems used in dialysis procedures. This will help to prevent additional risks to patients exposed to renal therapy.

Adaptation and validation of a Multidisciplinary Checklist for rounds in the Intensive Care Unit / Adaptación y validación de una Lista de Verificación Multidisciplinaria para rondas de visitas médicas en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos / Adaptação e validação de Checklist Multidisciplinar para rounds em Unidade de Terapia Intensiva

ABSTRACT Objective: to perform the adaptation, content validation and semantic analysis of a Multidisciplinary Checklist used in rounds in Intensive Care Units for adults. Method: a methodological study, consisting of three stages: Adaptation of the checklist, performed by one of the authors; Content validation, performed by seven judges/health professionals from a public teaching hospital in Paraná; and Semantic analysis, performed in a philanthropic hospital in the same state. Agreement of the judges and of the target audience in the content validation and semantic analysis stages was calculated using the Content Validity Index and the Agreement Index, respectively, with a minimum acceptable value of 0.80. Results: in the content validation stage, the checklist obtained a total agreement of 0.84. Of the 16 items included in the instrument, 11 (68.75%) were readjusted and four (25%) were excluded for not reaching the minimum agreement. The readjusted items referred to sedation; analgesia; nutrition; glycemic control; headboard elevation; gastric ulcer prophylaxis; prophylaxis for venous thromboembolism; indwelling urinary catheter, central venous catheter; protective mechanical ventilation and spontaneous breathing test. Regarding the items excluded, they referred to the cuff pressure of the orotracheal tube and to Nursing care measures such as taking the patient out of the bed, pressure injury prophylaxis, and ophthalmoprotection. In the semantic analysis, the final agreement of the instrument's items was 0.96. Conclusion: after two evaluation rounds by the judges, testing in critically-ill patients and high inter-evaluator agreement index, the Multidisciplinary Checklist is found with validated content suitable for use in rounds in intensive care.

RESUMEN Objetivo: realizar los procesos de adaptación, validación de contenido y análisis semántico de una Lista de Verificación Multidisciplinaria utilizada en rondas de visitas médicas en una Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos para adultos. Método: estudio metodológico, compuesto por tres etapas: Adaptación de la lista de verificación, realizada por una de las autoras; validación de contenido, a cargo de siete evaluadores/profesionales de la salud que trabajan en un hospital escuela público de Paraná; y análisis semántico, desarrollado en un hospital filantrópico del mismo estado. El nivel de concordancia entre los evaluadores y la población objetivo en las etapas de validación de contenido y análisis semántico se calculó por medio de Índice de Validez de Contenido y del Índice de Concordancia, respectivamente, con un valor mínimo aceptable de 0,80. Resultados: en la etapa de validación de contenido, la lista de verificación obtuvo un valor de concordancia total de 0,84. De los 16 ítems del instrumento, 11 (68,75%) fueron readaptados y cuatro (25%) fueron excluidos por no alcanzar el nivel mínimo de concordancia. Los ítems readaptados se referían a la sedación; analgesia; nutrición; control glicémico; elevación de la cabecera de la cama; profilaxis para úlcera gástrica; profilaxis para tromboembolia venosa; sonda vesical de demora, catéter venoso central; ventilación mecánica protectora y prueba de respiración espontánea. En relación a los ítems excluidos, se refirieron a la presión del manguito del tubo orotraqueal y a la atención de Enfermería, por ejemplo: retirar al paciente de la cama; profilaxis para úlceras por presión; y oftalmoprotección. En el análisis semántico, el nivel de concordancia final de los ítems del instrumento fue de 0,96. Conclusión: después de dos rondas de evaluación a cargo de especialistas, una prueba en pacientes y elevado índice de concordancia entre los evaluadores, la Lista de Verificación Multidisciplinaria se presenta como contenido validado y adecuado para ser empleado en rondas de visitas médicas en cuidados intensivos.

RESUMO Objetivo: realizar a adaptação, validação de conteúdo e análise semântica de um Checklist Multidisciplinar utilizado em rounds em Unidade de Terapia Intensiva Adulto. Método: estudo metodológico, composto de três etapas: Adaptação do checklist, realizada por uma das autoras; validação de conteúdo, realizado por sete juízes/profissionais de saúde de um hospital de ensino público do Paraná; e análise semântica, realizado em um hospital filantrópico do mesmo estado. A concordância dos juízes e do público-alvo nas etapas validação de conteúdo e análise semântica foi calculada pelo índice de validade de conteúdo e índice de concordância, respectivamente, com valor mínimo aceitável de 0,80. Resultados: na etapa validação de conteúdo, o checklist obteve concordância total de 0,84. Dos 16 itens do instrumento, 11 (68,75%) foram readequados e quatro (25%) foram excluídos por não alcançarem a concordância mínima. Os itens readequados se referiam à sedação; analgesia; nutrição; controle glicêmico; elevação da cabeceira; profilaxia para úlcera gástrica; profilaxia para tromboembolismo venoso; sonda vesical de demora, cateter venoso central; ventilação mecânica protetora e teste de respiração espontânea. Já em relação aos itens excluídos, estes se referiam à pressão do balonete do tubo orotraqueal e cuidados de enfermagem, como: retirada do paciente do leito; profilaxia para lesão por pressão; e oftalmoproteção. Na análise semântica, a concordância final dos itens do instrumento foi 0,96. Conclusão: o Checklist Multidisciplinar após duas rodadas de avaliação por juízes, teste em pacientes críticos e alto índice de concordância interavaliadores se apresenta com conteúdo validado e adequado para uso em rounds na assistência intensiva.

Implementation of a ventilator-associated pneumonia prevention bundle in a teaching hospital / Implementação de um bundle de prevenção de pneumonia associada à ventilação mecânica em um hospital universitário / Implementación de un paquete de prevención de neumonía asociada a ventilador en un hospital escuela

Background and objectives: the implementation of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) prevention bundles in Intensive Care Units (ICU) has been recommended due to the considerable increase in hospital costs, length of stay, morbidity and mortality in affected hospitalized patients. However, the results of its effectiveness are still controversial. This study aimed to assess the impact of implementing a VAP prevention bundle in an Adult ICU of a university hospital. Methods: a quasi-experimental study, with implementation of a VAP prevention bundle in an Adult ICU and analysis of indicators. This study addressed secondary data from hospital records recommended in the routine of the Hospital Infection Control Commission team and from the medical records of patients undergoing mechanical ventilation, from June 2016 to July 2019, who developed VAP. Results: VAP incidence density before the intervention was 4.13 infections, and after the intervention, it was 7.15 infections per thousand patients on ventilation/day. When performing the linear regression test, we showed that VAP density decreased as sedation was reduced, extubation was increased, and when compliance with all bundle elements occurred. Conclusion: there was no reduction in VAP incidence after the adoption of preventive measures, perhaps due to an underreporting of cases in the period prior to the bundle and a low team compliance with the bundle components. However, we noticed a decrease in VAP notifications after the eighth month of implementation of bundle of measures.(AU)

Justificativa e objetivos: a implementação de bundles de prevenção de pneumonia associada à ventilação mecânica (PAV) em Unidades de Terapia Intensiva (UTI) tem sido recomendada devido ao aumento considerável dos custos hospitalares, tempo de internação, morbidade e mortalidade em pacientes hospitalizados acometidos. No entanto, os resultados de sua eficácia ainda são controversos. Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o impacto da implantação de um bundle de prevenção de PAV em uma UTI Adulto de um hospital universitário. Métodos: estudo quase experimental, com implantação de bundle de prevenção de PAV em UTI Adulto e análise de indicadores. Este estudo abordou dados secundários de prontuários hospitalares recomendados na rotina da equipe da Comissão de Controle de Infecção Hospitalar e dos prontuários de pacientes em ventilação mecânica, no período de junho de 2016 a julho de 2019, que desenvolveram PAV. Resultados: A densidade de incidência de PAV antes da intervenção foi de 4,13 infecções e após a intervenção foi de 7,15 infecções por mil pacientes em ventilação/dia. Ao realizar o teste de regressão linear, mostramos que a densidade da PAV diminuiu à medida que a sedação era reduzida, a extubação aumentava e quando ocorria complacência com todos os elementos do feixe. Conclusão: não houve redução da incidência de PAV após a adoção de medidas preventivas, talvez pela subnotificação de casos no período anterior ao bundle e baixa adesão da equipe aos componentes do bundle. No entanto, notamos diminuição das notificações de PAV após o oitavo mês de implantação do bundle de medidas.(AU)

Justificación y objetivos: la implementación de paquetes de prevención de neumonía asociada al ventilador (NAV) en las Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos (UCI) ha sido recomendada debido al aumento considerable de los costos hospitalarios, la estancia hospitalaria, la morbilidad y la mortalidad en los pacientes hospitalizados afectados. Sin embargo, los resultados de su eficacia aún son controvertidos. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar el impacto de la implementación de un paquete de prevención de NAVM en una UCI de adultos de un hospital universitario. Métodos: estudio cuasi-experimental, con implementación de un paquete de prevención de NAVM en una UCI de Adultos y análisis de indicadores. Este estudio abordó datos secundarios de registros hospitalarios recomendados en la rutina del equipo de la Comisión de Control de Infecciones Hospitalarias y de los registros médicos de pacientes en ventilación mecánica, de junio de 2016 a julio de 2019, que desarrollaron NAV. Resultados: La densidad de incidencia de NAVM antes de la intervención fue de 4,13 infecciones y después de la intervención fue de 7,15 infecciones por mil pacientes en ventilación/día. Al realizar la prueba de regresión lineal, mostramos que la densidad de VAP disminuyó a medida que se redujo la sedación, se incrementó la extubación y cuando se produjo el cumplimiento de todos los elementos del paquete. Conclusión: no hubo reducción en la incidencia de NAVM después de la adopción de las medidas preventivas, quizás debido a un subregistro de casos en el período anterior al paquete y al bajo cumplimiento del equipo con los componentes del paquete. Sin embargo, notamos una disminución en las notificaciones de VAP después del octavo mes de implementación del paquete de medidas.(Au)

Caracterización de pacientes con COVID-19 en una unidad cuidados intensivos / Characterization of COVID-19 patients in an intensive care unit

Introducción: A finales del 2019, un nuevo coronavirus provocó una epidemia de enfermedad respiratoria aguda en Wuhan, China. La Organización Mundial de la Salud nombró a esta enfermedad coronavirus disease 2019, el 11 de marzo de 2020 la declaró como pandemia, y se diagnosticaban los tres primeros casos de COVID-19 en Cuba. Objetivo: Describir el comportamiento de 20 casos positivos a SARS CoV-2 en una unidad de cuidados intensivos. Métodos: Estudio observacional, descriptivo, de cohorte y prospectivo, aplicado entre marzo y julio del 2020, en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos del Hospital Clínico-Quirúrgico Dr. Salvador Allende, La Habana, Cuba. La población estuvo conformada por la totalidad de pacientes ingresados positivos a SARS CoV-2 (n= 20). Resultados: La edad promedio fue de 64,35 ± 15,21 años. El sexo masculino sobresalió. La estadía media fue 10,05 ± 5,5 días. El APACHE II medio fue de 16,6 ± 8,9. Los síntomas predominantes fueron la fiebre (55 por ciento), la tos (25 por ciento) y la disnea (20 por ciento). Conclusiones: La mortalidad en pacientes con COVID-19 se asoció con la edad, con el aumento de la estadía en Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos, elevados puntajes APACHE II, disminución de los valores de eritrosedimentación y del recuento linfocitario. La hipertensión fue el antecedente patológico más recurrente(AU)

Introduction: At the end of 2019 a new coronavirus caused an epidemic of acute respiratory disease in Wuhan, China. The World Health Organization called this condition "coronavirus disease 2019" and declared it pandemic on 11 March 2020. On that same date the first three COVID-19 cases were diagnosed in Cuba. Objective: Describe the behavior of 20 SARS-CoV-2 positive cases in an intensive care unit. Methods: An observational descriptive prospective cohort study was conducted from March to July 2020 at the Intensive Care Unit of Dr Salvador Allende Clinical Surgical Hospital in Havana, Cuba. The study population was all the patients admitted for positive SARS-CoV-2 (n= 20). Results: Mean age was 64.35 ± 15.21 years. Male sex prevailed. Mean hospital stay was 10.05 ± 5.5 days. Mean APACHE II was 16.6 ± 8.9. The prevailing symptoms were fever (55 percent), coughing (25 percent) and dyspnea (20 percent). Conclusions: Mortality of COVID-19 patients was associated to age, a longer stay in the intensive care unit, high APACHE II scores, reduced erythrosedimentation values and lymphocyte count. Hypertension was the most common pathological antecedent(AU)

Partnership among hospitals to reduce healthcare associated infections: a quasi-experimental study in Brazilian ICUs.

BACKGROUND: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are relevant in developing countries where frequencies can be at least 3 times higher than in developed countries. The purpose of this research was to describe the intervention implemented in intensive care units (ICUs) to reduce HAIs through collaborative project and analyze the variation over 18 months in the incidence density (ID) of the three main HAIs: ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP), central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) and catheter-related urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) and also the length of stay and mortality in these ICUs. METHODS: A quasi-experimental study in five public adult clinical-surgical ICUs, to reduce HAIs, through interventions using the BTS-IHI "Improvement Model", during 18 months. In the project, promoted by the Ministry of Health, Brazilian philanthropic hospitals certified for excellence (HE), those mostly private, certified as excellence and exempt from security contributions, regularly trained and monitored public hospitals in diagnostics, data collection and in developing cycles to improve quality and to prevent HAIs (bundles). In the analysis regarding the length of stay, mortality, the IDs of VAP, CLABSIs and CAUTIs over time, a Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE) model was applied for continuous variables, using the constant correlation (exchangeable) between assessments over time. The model estimated the average difference (ß coefficient of the model) of the measures analyzed during two periods: a period in the year 2017 (prior to implementing the project) and in the years 2018 and 2019 (during the project). RESULT: A mean monthly reduction of 0.427 in VAP ID (p = 0.002) with 33.8% decrease at the end of the period and 0.351 in CAUTI ID (p = 0.009) with 45% final decrease. The mean monthly reduction of 0.252 for CLABSIs was not significant (p = 0.068). Length of stay and mortality rates had no significant variation. CONCLUSIONS: Given the success in reducing VAP and CAUTIs in a few months of interventions, the achievement of the collaborative project is evident. This partnership among public hospitals/HE may be applied to other ICUs including countries with fewer resources.

Are prognostic tools losing accuracy? Development and performance of a novel age-calibrated severity scoring system for critically ill patients.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the performance of a commonly used ICU severity score (SAPS3) and determine whether an alternative scoring system may be more accurate across all age strata. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study in a general ICU in Brazil. A secondary analysis was performed with clinical and epidemiological data, present in the first 24 hours of unit admission. Then, a binary logistic regression, followed by cross-validation, was made to develop a novel prognostic tool. ICU mortality was the primary outcome evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 3042 patients were included over the study period between August 2015 and July 2018 with a median age of 67 ± 18.4 years. SAPS3 performed fairly in prediction of ICU mortality, particularly in the 80 years or older subset. Multivariable regression identified variables independently associated with mortality that were used to develop the Age Calibrated ICU Score (ACIS) tool that performed similarly to SAPS3 across age categories, being slightly superior in the very elderly population (AUC 0.80 vs 0.72). CONCLUSIONS: The ACIS offers a robust and simple tool to predict ICU mortality, particularly in an increasingly elderly critical care population.

A Novel Approach to ICU Survivor Care: A Population Health Quality Improvement Project.

OBJECTIVES: Deliver a novel interdisciplinary care process for ICU survivor care and their primary family caregivers, and assess mortality, readmission rates, and economic impact compared with usual care. DESIGN: Population health quality improvement comparative study with retrospective data analysis. SETTING: A single tertiary care rural hospital with medical/surgical, neuroscience, trauma, and cardiac ICUs. PATIENTS: ICU survivors. INTERVENTIONS: Reorganization of existing post discharge health care delivery resources to form an ICU survivor clinic care process and compare this new process to post discharge usual care process. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Demographic data, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation IV scores, and Charlson Comorbidity Index scores were extracted from the electronic health record. Additional data was extracted from the care manager database. Economic data were extracted from the Geisinger Health Plan database and analyzed by a health economist. During 13-month period analyzed, patients in the ICU survivor care had reduced mortality compared with usual care, as determined by the Kaplan-Meier method (ICU survivor care 0.89 vs usual care 0.71; log-rank p = 0.0108) and risk-adjusted stabilized inverse probability of treatment weighting (hazard ratio, 0.157; 95% CI, 0.058-0.427). Readmission for ICU survivor care versus usual care: at 30 days (10.4% vs 26.3%; stabilized inverse probability of treatment weighting hazard ratio, 0.539; 95% CI, 0.224-1.297) and at 60 days (16.7% vs 34.7%; stabilized inverse probability of treatment weighting hazard ratio, 0.525; 95% CI, 0.240-1.145). Financial data analysis indicates estimated annual cost savings to Geisinger Health Plan ranges from $247,052 to $424,846 during the time period analyzed. CONCLUSIONS: Our ICU survivor care process results in decreased mortality and a net annual cost savings to the insurer compared with usual care processes. There was no statistically significant difference in readmission rates.

Caracterización del síndrome compartimental abdominal en pacientes críticos / Characterization of abdominal compartment syndrome in critical patients

RESUMEN Introducción: el síndrome compartimental abdominal es una entidad clínica sistémica desencadenada por incremento en la presión intraabdominal, caracterizada clínicamente por distensión abdominal y alteraciones de las funciones respiratoria, cardiovascular, neurológica y renal. Objetivo: caracterizar el comportamiento del síndrome compartimental abdominal en los pacientes críticos que ingresaron en la unidad de cuidados intensivos del Hospital Provincial "José Ramón López Tabrane". Materiales y método: se realizó un estudio prospectivo, descriptivo, y longitudinal que tuvo como universo los pacientes adultos con factores de riesgo conocidos para síndrome compartimental abdominal, tratados entre enero de 2014 a diciembre de 2015. Se le realizó medición sistemática de la presión intraabdominal transvesical y fueron sometidos a descompresión quirúrgica en caso de hipertensión intraabdominal grados III y IV. Resultados: los valores de presión intraabdominal sostenidamente elevados, son directamente proporcionales al desarrollo del síndrome compartimental abdominal y trae aparejado disfunciones en los diferentes sistemas de órganos; en estos casos apareció complicaciones, las cuales se presentaron combinadas para todos los pacientes, y fueron mayoritarias para el grupo con presión intraabdominal grado IV. La mortalidad se comportó en un número bastante elevado lo cual estuvo relacionado con los niveles de presión intraabdominal, así como la posibilidad de que fueran reintervenidos quirúrgicamente estos pacientes. Conclusiones: se debe protocolizar en todo paciente con sospecha de desarrollar un síndrome compartimental abdominal la medición periódica de la presión intraabdominal (AU).

SUMMARY Introduction: the abdominal compartment syndrome is a systemic clinical entity triggered by an increase of the intra abdominal pressure, clinically characterized by abdominal distension and the alteration of the renal, neurological, cardiovascular and respiratory functions. Objective: to characterize the behavior of the abdominal compartment syndrome in critical patients from the intensive care unit of the provincial hospital "Jose Ramon Lopez Tabrane". Materials and methods: a longitudinal, descriptive and prospective study was carried out in a universe of adult patients with risk factors known as abdominal compartment syndrome, treated in the period of time from January 2014 to December 2015. Their transvesical intraabdominal pressure was systematically measured and they underwent surgical decompression in cases of intraabdominal hypertension grades iii and iv. Results: the values of intraabdominal pressure steadily increased are directly proportional to the development of the abdominal compartment syndrome and entails dysfunctions in the different systems of organs; in these cases complications were found, that were combined for all patients and mainly in the group with intraabdominal pressure grade iv. Mortality was present in a certainly increased group, and was related to the levels of intraabdominal pressure, and also to the possibility these patients undergoing surgical treatments again. Conclusions: it should be standardized the periodical measure of the intraabdominal pressure in any patient suspected of developing an abdominal compartment syndrome (AU).

Education to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia in intensive care unit.

OBJECTIVE: to evaluate nursing adherence to the Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia Prevention Bundle and the incidence rate, before and after Continuing education. METHODS: a quasi-experimental, retrospective study with a total of 302 patients on mechanical ventilator admitted to the Intensive Care Unit. Data obtained from the application of the bundle, from June 2017 to June 2018. In December 2017, a training on the infection was carried out with 48 professionals. RESULTS: the mean age of patients was 62.39±17.06 years old. Appropriate measures before and after training, respectively: position of the ventilator filter 94.8% and 96.2%, p=0.074; elevated headboard 88.4% and 94.5%, p<0.001; oral hygiene with chlorhexidine 89.5% and 98.2%, p<0.001; teeth brushing 80.8% and 96.4%, p<0.001; and cuff pressure 92.7% and 95.6%, p=0.002. Incidence density was 7.99 for 4.28 infections/1000 ventilators per day. CONCLUSION: the bundle application and education made it possible to increase adherence and decrease infection.

Hand hygiene in high-complexity sectors as an integrating element in the combat of Sars-CoV-2.

OBJECTIVE: to perform a situational diagnosis of the behavior of health professionals concerning hand hygiene practices in highly-complex sectors. METHODS: this quantitative and retrospective study was based on reports (2016 and 2017) of Adult and Pediatric ICUs of a Federal hospital in Rio de Janeiro. RESULTS: one thousand two hundred fifty-eight opportunities for hand hygiene were analysed. The chance of professionals sanitizing hands in Pediatric ICUs is 41.61% higher than in Adult ICUs. Concerning proper hand hygiene, the medical team had a 39.44% lower chance than the nursing team. Others had a 30.62% lower chance when compared to the nursing team. The moment "after contact with the patient" presented 4.5275 times the chance in relation "before contact with the patient". CONCLUSION: in front of hand hygiene recommendations to control COVID-19, diagnostic assessment and previous analysis of the behavior of professionals proved to be positive.

Nursing workload in burn intensive care unit.

OBJECTIVES: To measure the nursing workload in the Burn Intensive Care Units and evaluate its association with clinical variables, length of stay, and outcome of hospitalization. METHODS: Cross-sectional study carried out in a Brazilian public large hospital. The study included 33 patients. The nursing workload was assessed using the Nursing Activities Score (NAS) every 24 hours. We performed 447 Nursing Activities Score assessments. For the statistical analysis, Student's t-test, ANOVA, and Spearman's correlation test were used. The considered significant difference was 5% (p ≤ 0.05). RESULTS: The Nursing Activities Score mean was 84% (± 4.4), which corresponded to 20.2 hours. There was an association between the nursing workload and the patient's severity (p <0.010), burned body surface (p = 0.010), and hospitalization outcome (p = 0.020). CONCLUSION: Burn victims, assisted in the ICU, demanded a high nursing workload, which was influenced by clinical aspects and the hospitalization outcome. These findings point to the need to reconsider the nurse staffing related to this care profile.

Intensive support recommendations for critically-ill patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection.

In December 2019, a series of patients with severe pneumonia were identified in Wuhan, Hubei province, China, who progressed to severe acute respiratory syndrome and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Subsequently, COVID-19 was attributed to a new betacoronavirus, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Approximately 20% of patients diagnosed as COVID-19 develop severe forms of the disease, including acute hypoxemic respiratory failure, severe acute respiratory syndrome, acute respiratory distress syndrome and acute renal failure and require intensive care. There is no randomized controlled clinical trial addressing potential therapies for patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection at the time of publishing these treatment recommendations. Therefore, these recommendations are based predominantly on the opinion of experts (level C of recommendation).

Benefit of Incorporating Clinical Pharmacists in an Adult Intensive Care Unit: A Cost-saving Study.

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: A framework to evaluate the impact of clinical pharmacists in intensive care units (ICUs) in Chile has not yet been established. This study evaluates the cost avoidance and cost-benefit ratios of clinical pharmacist interventions in terms of treatment optimization in an adult ICU in southern Chile. METHODS: Clinical pharmacist interventions in a multidisciplinary adult ICU were assessed between January and December 2019. Only interventions suggested by pharmacists and accepted by the healthcare team were included in the analysis. Interventions were classified into six categories, and cost avoidance (in US dollars) was calculated for each category using a systematic validated approach. A cost-benefit ratio for clinical pharmacy services in the adult ICU was also calculated. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Over the 12-month period, 505 interventions were performed in 169 patients, of whom 62% were male. Interventions were classified into the following six categories: adverse drug event prevention (18%), which led to $87 882 in savings; resource utilization (ie change in medication route) (10%), which led to $50 525 in savings; individualization of patient care (ie dose adjustment) (36%), which led to $57 089 in savings; prophylaxis (ie initiation of stress ulcer prophylaxis) (<1%), which led to $167 in savings; hands-on care (ie bedside monitoring) (23%), which led to $57 846 in savings; and administrative and supportive tasks (ie patient own medication evaluation) (13%), which led to $9988 in savings. The total cost savings over the year-long period were $263 500, resulting in a cost-benefit ratio of 1:24.2. WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION: The participation of a clinical pharmacist in a multidisciplinary ICU team reduces healthcare expenditures through treatment optimization translated into cost avoidance. This study has corroborated prior evidence that clinical pharmacist involvement in ICUs provides economic value and quality assurance in healthcare settings.

Intervención integral en el ictus / Comprehensive intervention in stroke

Introducción: se mantiene el debate sobre qué tipos de intervenciones para la recuperación del ictus ofrecen mejores resultados para el paciente. Objetivo: evaluar el efecto de una intervención integral durante seis meses sobre la recuperación funcional en pacientes con ictus. Métodos: la muestra estuvo compuesta por 42 participantes con ictus: un grupo experimental (N = 22) con una media de edad de 52,68 años (DE = 14,39) que recibió una intervención integral, intensiva y multidisciplinar, y un grupo control (N = 20) con una media de edad de 56,20 años (DE = 14,82) que no recibió este tipo de intervención. Se valoraron los siguiente índices de severidad del ictus: Escala de Coma de Glasgow, Escala Canadiense, estancia en Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos, signos de enclavamiento uncal, signos de hipertensión endocraneal, volumen del hematoma/área isquémica, desplazamiento de línea media, necesidad de cirugía y tiempo total de hospitalización. Ambos grupos eran equivalentes en estos índices de gravedad. El grado de funcionalidad fue medido con la aplicación de la escala Functional Independence Measure and Functional Assessment Measure. Esta prueba se aplicó al inicio de la intervención y 6 meses después. Resultados: se observó una evolución positiva en ambos grupos en todas las áreas de la escala. La intervención integral y un menor tiempo total de hospitalización se relacionaron con una mejor recuperación funcional en el ictus. Conclusiones: se sugiere la necesidad de realizar estrategias de rehabilitación integral en los pacientes con ictus(AU)

Introduction: debate is currently underway about what types of stroke recovery interventions are more beneficial for patients. Objective: evaluate the effect of a six-month comprehensive intervention on the functional recovery of stroke patients. Methods: the study sample was 42 stroke patients: an experimental group (N = 22), mean age 52.68 years (SD = 14.39), who received a comprehensive intensive multidisciplinary intervention, and a control group (N = 20), mean age 56.20 years (SD = 14.82), who did not receive this type of intervention. The following stroke severity indices were applied: Glasgow Coma Scale, Canadian Scale, intensive care unit stay, uncal latching signs, endocranial hypertension signs, hematoma volume / ischemic area, midline displacement, need for surgery and total hospital stay time. These severity indices were similar in the two groups. Degree of functionality was gauged with the scales Functional Independence Measure and Functional Assessment Measure. This test was applied at the start of the intervention and 6 months later. Results: both groups had a positive evolution in all the areas of the scale. The comprehensive intervention and a shorter total hospital stay were associated to better functional recovery from stroke. Conclusions: the need is suggested to implement comprehensive rehabilitation strategies in stroke patients(AU)

Tratamiento de pacientes con Síndrome agudo respiratorio por COVID-19 en unidad de cuidados críticos / Treatment of patients with acute respiratory syndrome by COVID-19 in critical care unit

INTRODUCCION: El Síndrome de Agudo Respiratorio Severo por Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) es una enfermedad respiratoria aguda causada por un nuevo coronavirus (COVID-19 identificado por primera vez en diciembre de 2019 en Wuhan( Hubei, China) mundo. COVID-19, es un virus ARN, miembro de los coronavirus del género beta estrechamente relacionados con el SARS-CoV 2.Los signos comunes de COVID-19 incluyen fiebre, tos y dificultad para respirar. La definición de caso confirmado de la OMS establece que es la infección confirmada por laboratorio independientemente de los signos y síntomas clínicos. Al momento, no existe un tratamiento antiviral específico para COVID-19, pero la atención de apoyo puede ayudar a aliviar los síntomas y debe incluir el apoyo de las funciones vitales de los órganos en casos severos. El brote comenzó en diciembre de 2019 en Wuhan, provincia de Hubei, China, y se declaró una pandemia mundial el 11 de marzo de 2020.La distribución geográfica incluye a China, la mayor parte de Europa, Reino Unido e Irlanda, Corea del Sur. Existen 332 930 casos confirmados de enfermedad por coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), incluidas 14 510 muertes en 151 países de todo el mundo informadas por la OMS al 23 de marzo de 2020. METODOLOGIA: Se realizó una búsqueda no sistemática en la bibliografía, consultando portales de la OMS; OPS, Medline ("(ncov[All Fields] AND "19 (Lond)"[Journal]) AND (Clinical Trial[ptyp] AND "loattrfull text"[sb])"), bases de datos de ETS (CDYork, EUnhta, HTAi, Brisa, Conitec, Cenetec) así como agencias reguladoras en salud(OSTEBA, PBAC, CADTH, NICE), con el término También se consultaron portales de Sociedades científicas, y registros de ensayos clínicos en curso ( Clinical Trials,) con el término " SARS-CoV 2 infection". Se realizaron consultas a informantes claves del Ministerio de Salud tales como neumonólogos, infectólogos y epidemiológos. VALORACION DE LAS EVIDENCIAS: a-Magnitud del problema: los brotes epidémicos generan un entorno de elevadísima incertidumbre para pacientes, equipos de salud, gestores y la sociedad en su conjunto. La pandemia de Covid-19 por sus epidemiología aún desconocida y por no contarse con tratamientos dirigidos para prevenirla (vacunas) ó mitigarla (medicamentos) ha supuesto un problema grave para los sistemas de salud, incluida nuestra región. b-Calidad de la Evidencia: Del conjunto de pautas clínicas analizadas puede establecerse que se trata de evidencias de baja calidad, la mayoría de ellas ensayos clínicos en curso y por lo tanto uso no autorizado de las tecnologías propuestas. El resto de recomendaciones son consensos de expertos que como es sabido, ocupan el nivel más bajo de calidad de la evidencia. Es probable que futuras investigaciones cambien la evidencia disponible y/o permitan valorar la magnitud del beneficio clínico. c-Impacto presupuestario y/o costo-efectividad: no valorado d- Impacto en la salud pública y en la equidad en salud:Desde la perspectiva del paciente deben considerarse que se trata de drogas sin autorización, por lo que requieren ser utilizadas bajo uso de Consentimiento informado. Desde la perspectiva del sistema de salud, son drogas con indicación para otras patologías y dada la baja calidad de la evidencia que sustenta su posible indicación en este caso y atento a las predicciones de casos en la provincia de Mendoza, podría representar además de un uso no seguro, afectando la equidad en salud. CONCLUSIONES: No existen al momento tecnologías específicas que apoyen un uso racional el tratamiento de pacientes con Síndrome agudo respiratorio por COVID-19 en unidades de cuidados críticos. Si bien existen razones plausibles para anticipar efectos entre las drogas antivirales, las mismas no han sido aún aprobadas para tal indicación. El uso de medicación sin licencia autorizada requiere resguardos éticos, tales como el consentimiento informado de los pacientes. Ofrecer a los pacientes la participación en futuros ensayos clínicos que se desarrollen en la provincia es una opción que deberá evaluarse por las autoridades y equipos de salud.