Traspaso de información en Medicina Intensiva / Handover in Intensive Care

El traspaso de información (TI) es una tarea frecuente y compleja que lleva implícito el traspaso de la responsabilidad del cuidado del paciente. Las deficiencias en este proceso se asocian a importantes brechas en la seguridad clínica e insatisfacción de pacientes y profesionales. Los esfuerzos por estandarizar el TI se han incrementado en los últimos años, dando pie a la aparición de herramientas mnemotécnicas. Globalmente las prácticas locales del TI son heterogéneas y el nivel de formación, bajo. El objetivo de esta revisión es enfatizar la importancia del TI y proporcionar una estructura metodológica que favorezca el TI efectivo en las UCI, reduciendo el riesgo asociado a este proceso. Específicamente, se hace referencia al TI durante los cambios de guardia y los turnos de enfermería, durante el traslado de los pacientes a otras áreas diagnósticas y terapéuticas y en el momento del alta de UCI. También se contemplan las situaciones de urgencia y se señala la potencial participación de pacientes y familiares. Por último, se proponen fórmulas para la medición de la calidad y se mencionan posibles mejoras en este proceso, especialmente en el ámbito de la formación

Handover is a frequent and complex task that also implies the transfer of the responsibility of the care. The deficiencies in this process are associated with important gaps in clinical safety and also in patient and professional dissatisfaction, as well as increasing health cost. Efforts to standardize this process have increased in recent years, appearing numerous mnemonic tools. Despite this, local are heterogeneous and the level of training in this area is low. The purpose of this review is to highlight the importance of IT while providing a methodological structure that favors effective IT in ICU, reducing the risk associated with this process. Specifically, this document refers to the handover that is established during shift changes or nursing shifts, during the transfer of patients to other diagnostic and therapeutic areas, and to discharge from the ICU. Emergency situations and the potential participation of patients and relatives are also considered. Formulas for measuring quality are finally proposed and potential improvements are mentioned especially in the field of training

Handover in Intensive Care. / Traspaso de información en Medicina Intensiva.

Handover is a frequent and complex task that also implies the transfer of the responsibility of the care. The deficiencies in this process are associated with important gaps in clinical safety and also in patient and professional dissatisfaction, as well as increasing health cost. Efforts to standardize this process have increased in recent years, appearing numerous mnemonic tools. Despite this, local are heterogeneous and the level of training in this area is low. The purpose of this review is to highlight the importance of IT while providing a methodological structure that favors effective IT in ICU, reducing the risk associated with this process. Specifically, this document refers to the handover that is established during shift changes or nursing shifts, during the transfer of patients to other diagnostic and therapeutic areas, and to discharge from the ICU. Emergency situations and the potential participation of patients and relatives are also considered. Formulas for measuring quality are finally proposed and potential improvements are mentioned especially in the field of training.

Análisis retrospectivo de la ventilación mecánica no invasiva frente a la ventilación mecánica invasiva en pacientes con exacerbación de la enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica, en una Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos / Retrospective analysis of the Noninvasive mechanical ventilation in front of mechanical ventilation invasive in patients with exacerbation of the disease chronic obstructive pulmonary in a Care Unit Intensive

Objetivo: Análisis comparativo de la ventilación no invasiva frente a la ventilación mecánica invasiva en la exacerbación de la enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica. Diseño: Cohorte retrospectiva (enero 2006- diciembre 2012). Ámbito: Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos médico-quirúrgica. Pacientes: Se analizaron 142 pacientes con insuficiencia respiratoria aguda hipercápnica. Intervenciones: Ninguna. Variables de interés: Infecciones (bacteriemia, neumonía intrahospitalaria, infección urinaria), necesidad de traqueotomía, insuficiencia renal aguda, síndrome de dificultad respiratoria aguda, estancias en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos y hospitalaria, duración de la ventilación mecánica y mortalidad en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos, hospitalaria y a los 6 meses.Resultados: Ciento veintiún pacientes (86%) recibieron ventilación no invasiva y 20 (14%), ventilación invasiva. Un paciente no recibió soporte ventilatorio. Al ingresar, el grupo de ventilación invasiva presentaba mayor deterioro gasométrico, hemodinámico y neurológico que el grupo de ventilación no invasiva. No hubo diferencias en la tasa de infecciones, la necesidad de traqueotomía, las complicaciones, la duración de la ventilación mecánica, las estancias, ni la mortalidad. Los pacientes en quienes fracasó la ventilación no invasiva presentaron mayor mortalidad comparados con el otro grupo. Conclusiones: La ventilación no invasiva fue el soporte ventilatorio más frecuente en los pacientes con exacerbación de la enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica en nuestra Unidad. Los pacientes con ventilación invasiva tuvieron una evolución clínica muy semejante a la de aquellos sometidos a ventilación invasiva, sin que ello haya supuesto una mayor mortalidad. (AU)

Objective: Comparative analysis of non-invasive ventilation versus invasive ventilation in patients with exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Design: Retrospective cohort (January 2006-December 2012). Setting: Medical-surgical Intensive Care Unit. Patients: One hundred and forty-two patients with exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were analyzed. Variables of interest: Infections (bacteremia, nosocomial pneumonia, urinary infection), need for tracheostomy, acute renal failure, acute respiratory disease syndrome, lenght of stay at the Intensive Care Unit and hospital, duration of mechanical ventilation and mortality at the Intensive Care Unit, hospital and after 6 months. Results: One hundred and twenty-one patients (86%) underwent non-invasive ventilation and 20 (14%) received invasive ventilation. One patient did not receive ventilatory support. At admission, blood gases, and hemodynamic and neurological parameters were worse in the invasive ventilation group compared with the non-invasive ventilation group. Infection rate, need for tracheostomy, complications, duration of mechanical ventilation, length of stay, and mortality did not show differences. Mortality was higher in patients who failed non-invasive ventilation. Conclusions: Non-invasive ventilation was the most common ventilatory support in patients with exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in our Intensive Care Unit. Patients with invasive ventilation had the same clinical course compared to the non-invasive group, without entailing increased mortality.(AU)

Análisis retrospectivo sobre la extubación en pacientes con patología neurológica aguda / Retrospective analysis on the extubation in patients with acute neurological pathology

Objetivo: Evaluar la idoneidad de la prueba de respiración espontánea para predecir el fracaso de la extubación de pacientes neurológicos y determinar los factores predictivos de fracaso. Diseño: Casos y controles. De enero de 2001 a diciembre de 2010. Ámbito: Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos. Pacientes: Enfermos neurológicos agudos sometidos a ventilación mecánica y posterior extubación. Se excluyeron: pacientes con cirugías neurológicas programadas, con patología neuromuscular, lesión medular, traqueotomía, politraumatismos con predominio de afectación del resto de los sistemas sobre el neurológico, aquellos que murieron en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos o que fueron trasladados. Variables de interés: Tasa de fracaso, infección intrahospitalaria, necesidad de traqueotomía, duración de la ventilación mecánica, estancia en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos y en el hospital, mortalidad en esta Unidad, en el hospital y a los 90 días, y factores asociados al fracaso. Resultados: De 479 pacientes, 208 fueron sometidos a prueba de respiración espontánea y posterior extubación. Cincuenta y cuatro (26%) fracasaron, la tasa de complicaciones, la estancia, la duración de la ventilación mecánica y la mortalidad fueron mayores que en el grupo de éxito. Los pacientes con accidente cerebrovascular [OR 4,256 (IC95% 1,442-12,561), p = 0,009] y necesidad de aspiraciones frecuentes [OR 5,699 (IC95% 1,863-17,432), p = 0,002] son más propensos al fracaso [ROC 0,73 (IC95% 0,628-0,840)]. Conclusiones: Los pacientes neurológicos presentan una elevada tasa de fracaso de la extubación con numerosas complicaciones asociadas y muerte. La prueba de respiración espontánea no predijo el éxito de la extubación. Los pacientes con accidente cerebrovascular y necesidad de aspiraciones frecuentes de secreciones se verían abocados a un mayor fracaso de extubación.(AU)

Objective: To assess the adequacy of the spontaneous breathing test to predict extubation failure in neurological patients undergoing mechanical ventilation and to determine factors associated with extubation failure. Design: Case-control study. Between January 2001 and December 2010. Setting: Intensive Care Unit. Patients: Acute neurological patients who underwent mechanical ventilation and were subsequently extubated. Patients with scheduled neurosurgery intervention, neuromuscular disease, spinal cord injury, tracheotomy, multiple trauma with less neurological damage than in other systems, those who died in the Intensive Care Unit or in hospital or those transferred to other hospital, were excluded. Variables of interest: Extubation failure rate, nosocomial infection, need for tracheostomy, duration of mechanical ventilation, ICU and hospital stay, mortality in the ICU or hospital, and at day 90, as well as failure-related factors. Results: Two-hundred and eight patients underwent spontaneous breathing trial, and were subsequently extubated. Fifty-four (26%) patients failed. Patients who failed extubation had a higher complication rate, received mechanical ventilation for more days, their hospitalization was longer, and the mortality rate was higher than in the success group. Patients with stroke [OR 4.256 (95%CI, 1.442-12.561), p=0.009] and those who required a greater number of aspirations during weaning [OR 5.699 (95%CI, 1.863-17.432), p=0.002] were susceptible to extubation failure [ROC curve 0.73 (0.628-0.840)]. Conclusion: Extubation failure in neurological patients is common and frequently associated with severe complications. The spontaneous breathing trial does not predict a successful extubation. Patients with stroke and those who need frequent aspiration of secretions would be doomed to further failure of extubation(AU)

Evolución de 10 años de aplicación de la ventilación mecánica en la insuficiencia respiratoria aguda del paciente hematológico ingresado en la unidad de cuidados intensivos / Ten-year evolution of mechanical ventilation in acute respiratory failure in the hematogical patient admitted to the intensive care unit

Objetivo Comparación de la ventilación mecánica invasiva (VMI) frente a la no invasiva (VMNI) en pacientes hematológicos que desarrollaron insuficiencia respiratoria aguda (IRA).Diseño Estudio observacional retrospectivo desde 2001 y hasta diciembre de 2011.ÁmbitoUnidad de cuidados intensivos (UCI) médico-quirúrgica de un hospital de tercer nivel. Pacientes Aquellos con patología hematológica con IRA y que precisaron ventilación mecánica (VM), tanto VMI como VMNI. Variables de interés Número de infeccciones y fracaso de órganos, duración de VM y estancias en la unidad y hospitalaria, así como mortalidad en UCI, hospitalaria y a los 90 días. En el subgrupo de VMNI se comparó éxito y fracaso en cuanto a las variables mencionadas. Resultados Se incluyeron 41 pacientes que precisaron VM, 35 con VMNI y 6 con VMI. La mortalidad en UCI fue superior en VMI (100 vs. 37% en VMNI, p=0,006). El porcentaje de intubación en VMNI fue del 40%. El grupo fracaso de VMNI presentó mayor tasa de complicaciones, mayor duración de la VM, mayor estancia en UCI, así como de mortalidad en UCI y hospitalaria que el grupo que no precisó intubación. El análisis multivariante de mortalidad en el grupo VMNI estaba relacionada con el fracaso de la VMNI (OR 13 [IC 95% 1,33–77,96], p=0,008) y el desarrollo de síndrome de distrés respiratorio del adulto (OR 10 [IC 95% 1,95–89,22], p=0,03).Conclusión La utilización de VMNI redujo la mortalidad en comparación con la VMI. El fracaso de la VMNI llevó aparejada una mayor tasa de complicaciones (AU)

Objective A comparison was made between invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) and noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) in haematological patients with acute respiratory failure. Design A retrospective observational study was made from 2001 to December 2011.SettingA clinical-surgical intensive care unit (ICU) in a tertiary hospital. Patients Patients with hematological malignancies suffering acute respiratory failure (ARF) and requiring mechanical ventilation in the form of either IMV or NPPV. Variables of interest Analysis of infection and organ failure rates, duration of mechanical ventilation and ICU and hospital stays, as well as ICU, hospital and mortality after 90 days. The same variables were analyzed in the comparison between NPPV success and failure. Results Forty-one patients were included, of which 35 required IMV and 6 NPPV. ICU mortality was higher in the IMV group (100% vs 37% in NPPV, P=.006). The intubation rate in NPPV was 40%. Compared with successful NPPV, failure in the NPPV group involved more complications, a longer duration of mechanical ventilation and ICU stay, and greater ICU and hospital mortality. Multivariate analysis of mortality in the NPPV group identified NPPV failure (OR 13 [95%CI 1.33–77.96], P=.008) and progression to acute respiratory distress syndrome (OR 10 [95%CI 1.95–89.22], P=.03) as prognostic factors. Conclusion The use of NPPV reduced mortality compared with IMV. NPPV failure was associated with more complications (AU)

[Ten-year evolution of mechanical ventilation in acute respiratory failure in the hematogical patient admitted to the intensive care unit]. / Evolución de 10 años de aplicación de la ventilación mecánica en la insuficiencia respiratoria aguda del paciente hematológico ingresado en la unidad de cuidados intensivos.

OBJECTIVE: A comparison was made between invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) and noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) in haematological patients with acute respiratory failure. DESIGN: A retrospective observational study was made from 2001 to December 2011. SETTING: A clinical-surgical intensive care unit (ICU) in a tertiary hospital. PATIENTS: Patients with hematological malignancies suffering acute respiratory failure (ARF) and requiring mechanical ventilation in the form of either IMV or NPPV. VARIABLES OF INTEREST: Analysis of infection and organ failure rates, duration of mechanical ventilation and ICU and hospital stays, as well as ICU, hospital and mortality after 90 days. The same variables were analyzed in the comparison between NPPV success and failure. RESULTS: Forty-one patients were included, of which 35 required IMV and 6 NPPV. ICU mortality was higher in the IMV group (100% vs 37% in NPPV, P=.006). The intubation rate in NPPV was 40%. Compared with successful NPPV, failure in the NPPV group involved more complications, a longer duration of mechanical ventilation and ICU stay, and greater ICU and hospital mortality. Multivariate analysis of mortality in the NPPV group identified NPPV failure (OR 13 [95%CI 1.33-77.96], P=.008) and progression to acute respiratory distress syndrome (OR 10 [95%CI 1.95-89.22], P=.03) as prognostic factors. CONCLUSION: The use of NPPV reduced mortality compared with IMV. NPPV failure was associated with more complications.

Técnicas disponibles de monitorización hemodinámica. Ventajas y limitaciones / Techniques available for hemodynamic monitoring. Advantages and limitations

El catéter de la arteria pulmonar (CAP) ha constituido una herramienta fundamental para la monitorización hemodinámica en las unidades de cuidados intensivos durante los últimos 40 años. Durante este período de tiempo ha sido ampliamente usado en pacientes críticos para el diagnóstico y como guía del tratamiento, ayudando a los clínicos a entender la fisiopatología de muchos procesos hemodinámicos. Sin embargo, en los últimos años la utilidad del CAP ha sido sometida a un intenso debate. Paralelamente, los avances tecnológicos han permitido el desarrollo de nuevas técnicas, menos invasivas, para la monitorización cardiovascular. Esta puesta al día pretende dar a los clínicos una visión de los parámetros hemodinámicos que aportan los distintos métodos disponibles, considerando que es fundamental comprender tanto su potencial utilidad clínica como sus limitaciones para un uso eficaz de la información que proporcionan (AU)

The pulmonary artery catheter has been a key tool for monitoring hemodynamic status in the intensive care unit for nearly 40 years. During this period of time, it has been the hemodynamic monitoring technique most commonly used for the diagnosis of many clinical situations, allowing clinicians to understand the underlying cardiovascular physiopathology, and helping to guide treatment interventions. However, in recent years, the usefulness of pulmonary artery catheterization has been questioned. Technological advances have introduced new and less invasive hemodynamic monitoring techniques. This review provides a systematic update on the hemodynamic variables offered by cardiac output monitoring devices, taking into consideration their clinical usefulness and their inherent limitations, with a view to using the supplied information in an efficient way (AU)

[Techniques available for hemodynamic monitoring. Advantages and limitations]. / Técnicas disponibles de monitorización hemodinámica. Ventajas y limitaciones.

The pulmonary artery catheter has been a key tool for monitoring hemodynamic status in the intensive care unit for nearly 40 years. During this period of time, it has been the hemodynamic monitoring technique most commonly used for the diagnosis of many clinical situations, allowing clinicians to understand the underlying cardiovascular physiopathology, and helping to guide treatment interventions. However, in recent years, the usefulness of pulmonary artery catheterization has been questioned. Technological advances have introduced new and less invasive hemodynamic monitoring techniques. This review provides a systematic update on the hemodynamic variables offered by cardiac output monitoring devices, taking into consideration their clinical usefulness and their inherent limitations, with a view to using the supplied information in an efficient way.

Utilización de la ventilación mecánica no invasiva en neumonía grave por virus H1N1 / Noninvasive mechanical ventilation in severe pneumonia due to H1N1 virus

Objetivo: Análisis del empleo de la VMNI en nuestra serie de pacientes ingresados en la unidad de cuidados intensivos (UCI) afectados por nuevo virus de la gripe A (H1N1), en especial aquellos afectados por neumonía con insuficiencia respiratoria aguda (IRA) hipoxémica grave, observándola necesidad de intubación, mejoría clínico-gasométrica, desarrollo de complicaciones, mortalidad, estancia en UCI y hospitalaria. Diseño: Estudio retrospectivo observacional. Ámbito: UCI del Hospital General de Castellón. Pacientes: Pacientes ingresados en la unidad con neumonía primaria o secundaria, con IRA de predominio hipoxémico. Intervenciones: Se empleó CPAP de Boussignac, sistema Helmet y BiPAP Vision. Resultados: De un total de 10 pacientes ingresados con infección por gripe A H1N1, se empleó laVMNI en 7 (70%) pacientes con un fracaso del 28% (una agudización de asma y otra insuficiencia ventilatoria con obstrucción de vía aérea). Dentro del grupo hipoxémico analizado (5 pacientes),la efectividad de la VMNI fue del 100% en cuanto a mejoría gasométrica y clínica, evitando la intubación de todos estos pacientes. Asimismo, no se produjo ninguna muerte tanto en UCI como en el hospital. La duración (mediana) de la ventilación fue de 6 (4-11) días y la estancia en UCI, de 9 (7-11) días. La tasa de complicaciones fue pequeña (una infección de orina). La tolerancia de la VMNI fue aceptable, destacando el ruido producido por la CPAP. No se produjo ningún contagio en el personal sanitario. Conclusiones: A la luz de los resultados, se podría plantear un mayor empleo de la VMNI ante futuras epidemias (AU)

Objective: The use of noninvasive mechanical ventilation was evaluated in our series of patients admitted to our ICU with pneumonia due to influenza A virus H1N1, assessing the need for intubation, arterial blood gases and clinical improvement, the development of complications and ICU and hospital stay. Design: Retrospective and observational study. Setting: ICU of Castellón University General Hospital (Castellón, Spain).Population: Patients admitted to ICU with pneumonia due to influenza A virus H1N1 and acute hypoxemic respiratory failure. Interventions: Boussignac CPAP, Helmet system and BiPAP Vision® were used. Results: Five of 10 patients with pneumonia and hypoxemia were analyzed, showing 100%effectiveness of noninvasive mechanical ventilation in terms of clinical and arterial blood gas improvement, and avoiding intubation in all cases. There were no patient deaths in ICU or in hospital. The duration (median) of ventilation was 6 (4-11) days, with an ICU stay of 9 (7-11)days. The number of complications was low (except for urinary tract infection due to Pseudomon asaeruginosa), and only the noise produced by CPAP was underscored. There were noinfections among the staff .Conclusions: Based on our results, increased use of noninvasive mechanical ventilation in future epidemics could be proposed (AU)

[Noninvasive mechanical ventilation in severe pneumonia due to H1N1 virus]. / Utilización de la ventilación mecánica no invasiva en neumonía grave por virus H1N1.

OBJECTIVE: The use of noninvasive mechanical ventilation was evaluated in our series of patients admitted to our ICU with pneumonia due to influenza A virus H1N1, assessing the need for intubation, arterial blood gases and clinical improvement, the development of complications and ICU and hospital stay. DESIGN: Retrospective and observational study. SETTING: ICU of Castellón University General Hospital (Castellón, Spain). POPULATION: Patients admitted to ICU with pneumonia due to influenza A virus H1N1 and acute hypoxemic respiratory failure. INTERVENTIONS: Boussignac CPAP, Helmet system and BiPAP Vision(®) were used. RESULTS: Five of 10 patients with pneumonia and hypoxemia were analyzed, showing 100% effectiveness of noninvasive mechanical ventilation in terms of clinical and arterial blood gas improvement, and avoiding intubation in all cases. There were no patient deaths in ICU or in hospital. The duration (median) of ventilation was 6 (4-11) days, with an ICU stay of 9 (7-11) days. The number of complications was low (except for urinary tract infection due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa), and only the noise produced by CPAP was underscored. There were no infections among the staff. CONCLUSIONS: Based on our results, increased use of noninvasive mechanical ventilation in future epidemics coujld be proposed.

Estudio de la mortalidad post-UCI durante 4 años (2006-2009). Análisis de factores en relación con el fallecimiento en planta tras el alta de UCI / Study of post-ICU mortality during 4 years (2006-2009). Analysis of the factors related to death in the ward after discharge from the ICU

Detectar posibles razones de la mortalidad de los pacientes críticos trasladados desde la UCI a las plantas del hospital y analizar las potenciales causas atribuibles de esta mortalidad. Diseño Estudio observacional de datos prospectivos analizados retrospectivamente. Muestra Cohorte de 5.328 pacientes ingresados consecutivamente en nuestro SMI cuya evolución se sigue hasta el fallecimiento o el alta hospitalaria. Período Desde enero de 2006 a diciembre de 2009. Método Análisis de significación diferencial de datos epidemiológicos, clínico-asistenciales, de estimación de riesgo de muerte, de coincidencia de diagnóstico de causa de ingreso en UCI y de causa de fallecimiento y de incidencia de limitación de esfuerzo asistencial. Se consideró alta inadecuada de UCI si la muerte acontecía antes de las 48h del traslado, sin limitación de esfuerzo asistencial.ResultadosFallecieron 907 pacientes (tasa estandarizada de 0,9; IC del 95%, 0,87-0,93) de los que 202 fallecieron tras el alta del SMI (el 3,8% de la población total y el 22,3% de los fallecidos); la estancia en planta post-UCI fue de 12,4±17,9 días. No se detectaron diferencias significativas entre los fallecidos en UCI o tras la estancia en UCI respecto a complicaciones infectivas aparecidas tras el ingreso. Tampoco los reingresados en UCI tras el pase a planta presentaron una mayor mortalidad. Se comprueba que la causa de muerte en planta no es significativamente coincidente con la causa de ingreso en UCI. Discusión Cierta mortalidad de pacientes críticos tras el traslado desde UCI es un hecho habitual. Nuestros datos no permiten atribuir esta mortalidad a deficiencias asistenciales (altas inadecuadas o disminución de asistencia en planta). Las razones para esta mortalidad tienen una explicación variada y variable, y en su mayoría corresponden a evolución del paciente diferente de la previsible tras el traslado desde el SMI (AU)

Objective: To detect possible reasons for mortality of critical patients transferred from the ICUto the hospital wards and to analyze the possible attributable causes for such mortality.Design: An observational study of prospectively collected data, analyzed retrospectively.Population: Cohort analysis of 5328 with consecutive admissions to our ICU, whose evolutionwas followed up to hospital discharge or death. Period: From January 2006 to December 2009. Method: An analysis was made of differential significance of epidemiological, clinical-care,death risk estimate, coincidence between ICU admissions reasons and causes of death after ICU discharge, as well as limitation of health care effort incidence. Inappropriate ICU discharge was considered to exist if the death occurred during the first 48 hours after ICU transfer, withoutlimitation of care effort. Results: A total of 907 patients died (SMR = 0.9; 95% CI, 0.87-0.93), 202 of whom died afterICU discharge (3.8% of total sample and 22.3% of all deceased patients), ward length of staybeing 12.4±17.9 days. No significant differences were found between deaths in the ICU or post-ICU deaths regarding infective complications appearing after admission to the ICU. Greatermortality was also not found in those re-admitted to the ICU after having been transferred tothe ward. It was verified that the cause of death in the ward did not significantly coincide withthe cause of admission to the ICU.Discussion: Some mortality after ICU discharge is to be expected. Our data do not allow usto attribute this mortality rate to care deficiencies (inappropriate ICU discharges or deceasedcare in the wards). The reasons for this mortality have a varied and variable explanation. Itmostly corresponds to an evolution of the patients differing from that expected when they were discharged from ICU (AU)

[Study of post-ICU mortality during 4 years (2006-2009). Analysis of the factors related to death in the ward after discharge from the ICU]. / Estudio de la mortalidad post-UCI durante 4 años (2006-2009). Análisis de factores en relación con el fallecimiento en planta tras el alta de UCI.

OBJECTIVE: To detect possible reasons for mortality of critical patients transferred from the ICU to the hospital wards and to analyze the possible attributable causes for such mortality. DESIGN: An observational study of prospectively collected data, analyzed retrospectively. POPULATION: Cohort analysis of 5328 with consecutive admissions to our ICU, whose evolution was followed up to hospital discharge or death. PERIOD: From January 2006 to December 2009. METHOD: An analysis was made of differential significance of epidemiological, clinical-care, death risk estimate, coincidence between ICU admissions reasons and causes of death after ICU discharge, as well as limitation of health care effort incidence. Inappropriate ICU discharge was considered to exist if the death occurred during the first 48 hours after ICU transfer, without limitation of care effort. RESULTS: A total of 907 patients died (SMR=0.9; 95% CI, 0.87-0.93), 202 of whom died after ICU discharge (3.8% of total sample and 22.3% of all deceased patients), ward length of stay being 12.4±17.9 days. No significant differences were found between deaths in the ICU or post-ICU deaths regarding infective complications appearing after admission to the ICU. Greater mortality was also not found in those re-admitted to the ICU after having been transferred to the ward. It was verified that the cause of death in the ward did not significantly coincide with the cause of admission to the ICU. DISCUSSION: Some mortality after ICU discharge is to be expected. Our data do not allow us to attribute this mortality rate to care deficiencies (inappropriate ICU discharges or deceased care in the wards). The reasons for this mortality have a varied and variable explanation. It mostly corresponds to an evolution of the patients differing from that expected when they were discharged from ICU.

[Patient data management systems or unit data management systems. Two clinical management perspectives in Intensive Medicine]. / PDMS o UDMS. Dos perspectivas de gestión clínica en Medicina Intensiva.

The need of availability of information able to describe the activity performed in ICU has two different sides. The first related with the monitoring of the patient himself, his clinical situation changes and the checking of attitudes and reactions of the clinical team related to these changes. The other one focused on the possibility to describe appropriately the general activity of the unit, the epidemiological characteristics of the attended population and the indicators of efectitivity and efficiency that could be used for a continous quality improving. The first one has been named as patient level control, and the second one as unit level control. Industry tried to develop potent instruments (informatized) able to <> information from patient monitoring systems in order to cope with the first quoted need (the so called patient data management systems [PDMS]), but has not yet be able to cross the line between the individual patient and the global unit activity. Authors emphasize the need of having the unit data management systems (UDMS), a not solved problem, as a complement on real time on line information obtained from patients.

PDMS o UDMS. Dos perspectivas de gestión clínica en Medicina Intensiva / Patient data management systems or unit data management systems. Two clinical management perspectives in Intensive Medicine

La necesidad de disponer de la máxima información posible que traduzca el trabajo realizado en las Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos (UCI) tiene dos vertientes. Una centrada en la monitorización del paciente, los cambios registrados en su situación clínica y la respuesta que ellos condicionan en la actitud y acciones del equipo asistencial. La otra focalizada en la posibilidad de describir la actividad general de la U7nidad, las características epidemiológicas de la población atendida y los indicadores de efectividad y eficiencia que puedan traducirse en políticas de evaluación continua de calidad. A la primera se le ha dado el nombre de control a nivel de paciente y a la segunda el de control a nivel de UCI. La industria ha desarrollado instrumentos (informatizados) capaces de «capturar» la información procedente de los sistemas de monitorización para poder establecer la primera (los conocidos como patient data management systems [PDMS]), pero desafortunadamente no ha solventado el salto informativo del paciente individual a la descripción global de la actividad. Los autores defienden la necesidad de disponer de los unit data management systems (UDMS), carencia no bien resuelta, como complemento imprescindible de la información en tiempo real procedente de los pacientes

The need of availability of information able to describe the activity performed in ICU has two different sides. The first related with the monitoring of the patient himself, his clinical situation changes and the cehecking of attitudes and reactions of the clinical team related to these changes. The other one focused on the possibility to describe appropriately the general activity of the unit, the epidemiological characteristics of the attended population and the indicators of efectitivity and efficiency that could be used for a continous quality improving. The first one has been named as patient level control, and the second one as unit level control. Industry tried to develop potent instruments (informatized) able to «capture» information from patient monitoring systems in order to cope with the first quoted need (the so called patient data management systems [PDMS]), but has not yet be able to cross the line between the individual patient and the global unit activity. Authors emphasize the need of having the unit data management systems (UDMS), a not solved problem, as a complement on real time on line information obtained from patients (AU)

Utilidad actual de los índices pronósticos en Medicina Intensa / Current use of prognosis indexes in Intensive Care Medicine

La mayor parte de los sistemas actualmente disponibles han intentado estimar la probabilidad de muerte a través de evaluaciones de gravedad. En esta exposición se abordan, únicamente, consideraciones sobre aspectos de evaluación y estimación pronostica de pacientes críticos adultos. Los pacientes pediátricos, por sus especiales características no pueden ser equiparados al paciente adulto y consecuentemente los índices y sistemas de aplicación en unos no lo son en los otros. Sin embargo, la posible utilidad de estos sistemas se ha restringido mayoritaria, y casi exclusivamente, al campo de la investigación (AU)

Most of the systems which are currently available have attempted to estimate the probability of death using severity evaluations. However, the possible usefulness of these systems has been limited mainly, and almost exclusively, to the field of research. This article only covers considerations related to aspects of evaluation and prognosis estimates in critical adults patients. Because of their special characteristics, paediatric patients cannot be compared to the adult patient and as a result the indexes and application systems for adults are not the same as for children (AU)