The effect of nursing care protocol on the prevention of central venous catheter-related infections in neurosurgery intensive care unit.

PURPOSE: This clinical study was planned to determine the effect of Nursing Care Protocol on the prevention of central venous catheter-related infections in neurosurgery intensive care unit. METHOD: The study was conducted between January 2012 and December 2013. The sampling consisted of 160 patients compatible with study inclusion criteria (80 protocol and 80 control patients). Routine care was applied to the control group while the protocol group received catheter care according to the protocol formed in accordance with the suggestions of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The data were collected from Patient Information Form, Follow-Up Form, and APACHE II scores. RESULTS: A significant difference existed between the two groups in terms of mean APACHE II scores on discharge (p<0.05) whereas no significant difference in terms of mean fever, number of leucocytes and lymphocytes, C-reactive protein, and days of catheter carriage (p<0.05). Hemoculture positivity was less in protocol group, and this difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The suggested nursing care protocol is significantly efficacious in the prevention of CVC-related infections. Training of healthcare workers on using this protocol is recommended.

Pressure support ventilation with the I-gel in intensive care unit: case report / Ventilação controlada por pressão com I-gel em unidade de terapia intensiva: relato de caso

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The I-gel supraglottic airway has a non-inflatable cuff made from a gel-like thermoplastic elastomer. The use of the I-gel during anesthesia for spontaneously breathing patients or intermittent positive pressure ventilation has been reported. But there are a few published reports about the use of the I-gel with pressure-controlled ventilation. CONTENTS AND CONCLUSIONS: In this case report we described the use of the I-gel supraglottic airway along 48 h in intensive care unit for the management of ventilation in a patient needed mechanic ventilation but in whom tracheal intubation could not be performed.

RESUMO JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: O dispositivo supraglótico I-gel para o manejo das vias aéreas tem um manguito não insuflável feito de um elastômero termoplástico semelhante ao gel. Há relato sobre o uso do I-gel em pacientes sob anestesia para a ventilação, espontânea ou com pressão positiva intermitente. Porém, há poucos relatos publicados sobre o uso do I-gel com ventilação controlada por pressão. CONTEÚDO E CONCLUSÕES: Descrevemos neste relato de caso o uso do dispositivo supraglótico I-gel durante 48 horas em unidade de terapia intensiva para o manejo das vias aéreas em paciente que precisou de ventilação mecânica, mas no qual a intubação traqueal não pôde ser feita.

Pressure support ventilation with the I-gel in intensive care unit: case report.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The I-gel supraglottic airway has a non-inflatable cuff made from a gel-like thermoplastic elastomer. The use of the I-gel during anesthesia for spontaneously breathing patients or intermittent positive pressure ventilation has been reported. But there are a few published reports about the use of the I-gel with pressure-controlled ventilation. CONTENTS AND CONCLUSIONS: In this case report we described the use of the I-gel supraglottic airway along 48h in intensive care unit for the management of ventilation in a patient needed mechanic ventilation but in whom tracheal intubation could not be performed.

Comparison of Dexmedetomidine and Midazolam in Sedation for Percutaneous Drainage of Hepatic Hydatid Cysts.

OBJECTIVE: Hydatid cyst still continues to be a public health problem. The basic treatment for the disease is surgery, but ultrasound-guided percutaneous drainage has become an important treatment alternative. Agents preferred for sedation during drainage performed under local anaesthesia must also preserve respiration and hemodynamic stability while providing adequate sedation. We compared the sedative properties of midazolam, which has a short duration of action, and a selective α2 adrenergic receptor agonist, dexmedetomidine, and the intraoperative complications. METHODS: After approval by the clinical trials ethics committee, 40 patients with similar demographic data were randomized into two groups. All patients received 10 mg metoclopramide and 45.5 mg pheniramine before the procedure. Then, midazolam (0.07 mg kg(-1) IV bolus followed by 0.01 mg kg(-1) h(-1) infusion) was administered to Group 1, and dexmedetomidine (1 µg kg(-1) loading dose in 10 minutes, followed by 0.2 µg kg(-1) h(-1) continuous infusion) was administered to Group 2 for sedation. Just before the surgical procedure, all patients received IV propofol in a subhypnotic dose of 0.5 mg kg(-1); the dose was repeated if adequate sedation could not be achieved. Observer's assessment of alertness/sedation (OAA/S) scale and Bispectral index (BIS) were used to evaluate the sedation level during the procedure. Heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), respiratory rate (RR), peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) and end-tidal carbon dioxide pressure (ETCO2) were monitored before and after induction and every 5 minutes thereafter. Propofol requirement was noted for each group. RESULTS: Sedation in the dexmedetomidine group was as effective and adequate as that observed in the midazolam group. BIS values were significantly lower in the dexmedetomidine group, especially after 10 minutes and thereafter. RR, SpO2, and ETCO2 were similar in both groups, whereas clinically insignificant decreases in HR and MAP were observed in the dexmedetomidine group. Propofol requirements were similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: We conclude that dexmedetomidine, providing adequate sedation without respiratory depression, can be considered as an appropriate agent for sedation in surgical procedures performed under local anaesthesia.

Bilateral internal jugular venous thrombosis following successful assisted conception in the absence of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.

The majority of the venous thromboembolic events seen in patient following gonadotropin administration were associated with the development of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). However, in this case report, a 29-year-old woman that conceived by controlled ovarian hyperstimulation, intracytoplasmic sperm injection and subsequent embryo transfer without conjunction of OHSS was described. Bilateral jugular venous thrombi were detected by duplex Doppler in the 8th week of pregnancy when she was admitted to the emergency room for difficulty in swallowing and bilateral neck pain. She had unremarkable history and negative results for thrombophilia screening. Full anticoagulation with intravenous heparin was initiated and continued subcutaneously throughout pregnancy. She delivered two healthy babies at 36 weeks of pregnancy. Venous thromboembolism should be taken in account in patients undergoing gonadotropin administration for assisted conception with the complaint of extremity pain regardless of having risk factors for thromboembolism.