A Coordinated and Multidisciplinary Strategy can Reduce the Time for Antibiotics in Septic Patients at a University Hospital.

Objectives: We carried out this work with the aim of assessing the effectiveness of a set of interventions over time for the administration of antibiotics. Design: Prospective observational study. Setting: Patients admitted to the emergency room and ICU of the hospital where the study was conducted are evaluated daily for some sociodemographic and clinical variables. Among them are some quality indicators, such as the time between the diagnosis of sepsis or septic shock until the start of the infusion of antibiotics. This indicator reflects several aspects related to a set of assistance measures (adequacy of antibiotic dispensation, rapid response team (RRT), sepsis care quality improvement program, antimicrobial management program, improvements in emergency department assistance). Patients or participants: Patients with sepsis or septic shock were admitted to the ICU of a university and public hospital in southern Brazil. Main variables of interest: The time between the diagnosis of sepsis or septic shock and the beginning of the infusion of antibiotics. Results: Between 2013 and 2018, 1676 patients were evaluated. The mean time for antibiotic infusion decreased from 6.1 ± 8.6 hours to 1.7 ± 2.9 hours (p < 0.001). The percentage of patients who received antibiotics in the first hour increased from 20.7 to 59.0% (p < 0.001). Conclusion: In this study, we demonstrated that a set of actions adopted in a large tertiary hospital was associated with decreased time to start antibiotic therapy in septic patients. How to cite this article: Moraes RB, Haas JS, Vidart J, Nicolaidis R, Deutschendorf C, Moretti MMS, et al. A Coordinated and Multidisciplinary Strategy can Reduce the Time for Antibiotics in Septic Patients at a University Hospital. Indian J Crit Care Med 2023;27(7):465-469.

Effect of Cyproheptadine on Ventilatory Support-free Days in Critically Ill Patients with COVID-19: An Open-label, Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background: Serotonin is a mediator of pulmonary hypoxic vasoconstriction. Experimental studies have shown that serotonin-mediated pulmonary vasoconstriction can be inhibited by cyproheptadine. The aim of this study is to assess whether treatment with cyproheptadine compared to usual care increases ventilatory support-free days during the first 28 days in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) requiring ventilatory support. Materials and methods: This randomized, single-center, open-label clinical trial included patients who were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) requiring ventilatory support due to COVID-19. Patients allocated to the intervention group received cyproheptadine for 10 days. The primary outcome was ventilator-free days during the first 28 days. Results: Nineteen patients were randomized to receive cyproheptadine and 21 to the control group. The number of ventilatory support-free days during the first 28 days was not different between the two groups (15.0; 95% CI, 0.0-24.0 days in the control group vs 7.0; 95% CI, 0.0-19.0 days in the intervention group; p = 0.284). Conclusion: In patients with COVID-19 and in need of ventilatory support, the use of cyproheptadine plus usual care, compared with usual care alone, did not increase the number of ventilatory support-free days in 28 days. How to cite this article: Boniatti MM, Nedel WL, Rihl MF, Schwarz P, Parolo E, Moretti MMS, et al. Effect of Cyproheptadine on Ventilatory Support-free Days in Critically Ill Patients with COVID-19: An Open-label, Randomized Clinical Trial. Indian J Crit Care Med 2023;27(7):517-521.

Time to clearance of abdominal septic focus and mortality in patients with sepsis. / Tempo para evacuação de foco séptico abdominal e mortalidade em portadores de sepse.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship between time to focus clearance and hospital mortality in patients with sepsis and septic shock. METHODS: This was an observational, single-center study with a retrospective analysis of the time to clearance of abdominal septic focus. Patients were classified according to the time to focus clearance into an early (≤ 12 hours) or delayed (> 12 hours) group. RESULTS: A total of 135 patients were evaluated. There was no association between time to focus clearance and hospital mortality (≤ 12 hours versus > 12 hours): 52.3% versus 52.9%, with p = 0.137. CONCLUSION: There was no difference in hospital mortality among patients with sepsis or septic shock who had an infectious focus evacuated before or after 12 hours after the diagnosis of sepsis.

Tempo para evacuação de foco séptico abdominal e mortalidade em portadores de sepse / Time to clearance of abdominal septic focus and mortality in patients with sepsis

RESUMO Objetivo: Aferir a relação entre tempo para evacuação de foco e mortalidade hospitalar em portadores de sepse e choque séptico. Métodos: Estudo observacional, unicêntrico, com análise retrospectiva do tempo para evacuação de foco séptico abdominal. Os pacientes foram classificados conforme o tempo para evacuação do foco em grupo precoce (≤ 12 horas) ou tardio (> 12 horas). Resultados: Foram avaliados 135 pacientes. Não houve associação entre tempo para evacuação do foco e mortalidade hospitalar (≤ 12 horas versus > 12 horas): 52,3% versus 52,9%, com p = 0,137. Conclusão: Não houve diferença na mortalidade hospitalar entre pacientes com sepse ou choque séptico que tiveram foco infeccioso evacuado antes ou após 12 horas do diagnóstico de sepse.

ABSTRACT Objective: To assess the relationship between time to focus clearance and hospital mortality in patients with sepsis and septic shock. Methods: This was an observational, single-center study with a retrospective analysis of the time to clearance of abdominal septic focus. Patients were classified according to the time to focus clearance into an early (≤ 12 hours) or delayed (> 12 hours) group. Results: A total of 135 patients were evaluated. There was no association between time to focus clearance and hospital mortality (≤ 12 hours versus > 12 hours): 52.3% versus 52.9%, with p = 0.137. Conclusion: There was no difference in hospital mortality among patients with sepsis or septic shock who had an infectious focus evacuated before or after 12 hours after the diagnosis of sepsis.

Análise dos custos da internação hospitalar de pacientes em ventilação mecânica invasiva e fatores associados / Analysis of hospitalization costs of patients receiving invasive mechanical ventilation and associated factors

Introdução: A Unidade de Terapia Intensiva (UTI) é uma unidade com elevado custo hospitalar, devido à necessidade de espaço específico, profissionais especializados e tecnologias para o cuidado. Diversos pacientes necessitam de ventilação mecânica (VM) invasiva e por tempo prolongado, consequentemente gerando um custo ainda mais elevado à instituição. O objetivo deste trabalho foi identificar os fatores associados a maiores custos da internação hospitalar dos pacientes submetidos à VM invasiva na UTI. Métodos: Estudo transversal com 316 pacientes, submetidos à VM invasiva e internados na UTI, no período de fevereiro de 2015 a julho de 2016. A coleta de dados foi realizada em prontuário eletrônico. As variáveis estudadas foram: idade, sexo, causa da internação, diagnóstico na admissão, comorbidades, Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAPS-3), permanência na UTI, dias de VM, reintubações, reinternações, óbito na UTI ou intrahospitalar. Resultados: Os fatores que associaram-se significativamente com o aumento do custo da internação hospitalar foram: maior tempo de permanência hospitalar pós alta da UTI 4 (0-12) dias; maior tempo de VM 7 (3-14) dias; tabagismo; maior tempo de permanência na UTI 10 (5-18) dias e presença de infecção nosocomial. Conclusão: A identificação dos fatores como VM prolongada, maior tempo de permanência na UTI, maior tempo de permanência pós UTI, tabagismo e presença de infecção nosocomial, estes aumentam o custo da internação. Conhecendo esses fatores os profissionais de saúde podem melhorar o direcionamento de recursos e planejamento da alta pós-cuidados intensivos. Estratégias de gestão devem ser compartilhadas com a equipe multiprofissional na busca de melhorias nos processos de cuidado, gerenciamento dos custos associados à assistência à saúde e desfechos dos pacientes. (AU)

Introduction: The intensive care unit (ICU) is a high-cost unit in a hospital, because it requires specific space, specialized personnel, and a specific range of technologies for care. Many patients need long-term invasive mechanical ventilation (MV), which consequently generates an even higher cost to the hospital. The objective of this study was to identify factors associated with the increased hospitalization costs of patients receiving invasive MV in the ICU. Method: This was a cross-sectional study of 316 ICU patients receiving invasive MV. Data were collected from the patients' medical records. The following variables were investigated: age, sex, cause of hospitalization, admission diagnosis, comorbidities, Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAPS-3), ICU stay, MV days, reintubations, readmissions, and ICU and intrahospital mortality Results: The factors associated with increased hospitalization costs were longer hospitalization after ICU discharge (4 days, range 0-12), longer MV duration (7 days, range 3-14), smoking, longer ICU stay (10 days, range 5-18), and presence of nosocomial infection. Conclusion: Factors that increase hospitalization costs were identified, including prolonged MV, prolonged ICU stay, prolonged hospitalization after ICU discharge, smoking, and presence of nosocomial infection. Knowledge of these factors can help healthcare professionals improve resource allocation and post-ICU care planning. Management strategies should be shared with the multidisciplinary team to improve care processes, management of healthcare-related costs, and patient outcomes.(AU)

Sepsis and AMI: knowledge of the population visiting parks and patient companions. / Sepse e IAM: conhecimento da população frequentadora de parques e acompanhantes de pacientes.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the population's knowledge of the terms "sepsis" and "acute myocardial infarction" (AMI). METHOD: Cross-sectional quantitative study. Data was collected through the application of a questionnaire to two groups of participants, as follows: individuals who visit parks in Porto Alegre, State of Rio Grande do Sul and companions of patients of a university hospital in Porto Alegre. Analysis of the results was performed by descriptive and inferential statistics. RESULTSThe sample consisted of 1,986 respondents: 1,455 parkgoers and 531 companions of patients admitted to the hospital. Regarding the knowledge of sepsis, only 19.1% of the respondents had already heard about the subject. However, compared to knowledge about AMI, it was found that 98.7% knew the term. CONCLUSIONS: The study found that the scarce knowledge of the population about the term "sepsis" is related to the social level of the respondents, demonstrating poor access to information about health care.

Associação dos fatores demográficos, clínicos e do manejo terapêutico no desfecho de pacientes sépticos atendidos em uma emergência hospitalar / Association of demographic, clinical and therapeutic management factors with the outcome of septic patients treated in a hospital emergency / Associacóin de factores demográficos, clínicos y do manejo terapéutico en el resultado de pacientes sépticos tratados en una emergencia hospitalar

Objetivo: identificar a associação dos aspectos demográficos, clínicos e do manejo terapêutico no desfecho dos pacientes diagnosticados com sepse em uma emergência hospitalar. Método: documental retrospectivo, 312 prontuários de pacientes sépticos, realizado análise descritiva, comparações de dados categóricos utilizaram-se os Testes de Qui quadrado ou Exato de Fisher, com correção de Monte Carlo. Resultados: idade média 65 (±17,66) anos, 51,3% eram mulheres, 52,6% hipertensos, 28,5% diabéticos, 27,2% cardiopatas, 74% diagnosticados com sepse 52,3% foco infeccioso pulmonar. Existe associação entre as variáveis demográficas e os desfechos (p<0,05). Histórico de acidente vascular encefálico, cirrose, cardiopatia e choque séptico associam-se ao óbito (p<0,05). Sinais de alerta e disfunções orgânicas avaliadas associam-se ao desfecho. Foco infeccioso (p=1) e taquicardia (p=0,823) não tem associação com desfecho nem com gravidade da sepse (p=0,120). Conclusão: há associação entre o perfil demográfico do paciente, comorbidades, disfunções orgânicas e manejo terapêutico, com a gravidade da sepse e o desfecho.

Aim: To identify the association of demographic, clinical and therapeutic management aspects with the outcome of patients diagnosed with sepsis in a hospital emergency. Method: retrospective documentary, 312 records of septic patients, descriptive analysis, comparisons of categorical data were used using Chi-square or Fisher's exact tests, with Monte Carlo correction. Results: mean age 65 (± 17.66) years, 51.3% were women, 52.6% hypertensive, 28.5% diabetic, 27.2% heart disease, 74% diagnosed with sepsis 52.3% infectious pulmonary focus. There is an association between demographic variables and outcomes (p <0.05). History of stroke, cirrhosis, heart disease, and septic shock are associated with death (p <0.05). Warning signs and organ dysfunction evaluated are associated with the outcome. Infectious focus (p = 1) and tachycardia (p = 0.823) has no association with outcome or severity of sepsis (p = 0.120). Conclusion: there is an association between patient demographic profile, comorbidities, organ dysfunction and therapeutic management, with sepsis severity and outcome.

Objetivo: identificar la asociación de los aspectos demográficos, clínicos y terapeuticos en el resultado de pacientes diagnosticados con sepsis en una emergencia hospitalar. Método: documental retrospectivo, se utilizaron 312 registros de pacientes sépticos, análisis descriptivo, comparaciones de datos categóricos utilizando Chi-cuadrado o pruebas exactas de Fisher, con corrección de Monte Carlo. Resultados: edad media 65 (± 17.66) años, 51.3% eran mujeres, 52.6% hipertensos, 28.5% diabéticos, 27.2% enfermedades del corazón, 74% diagnosticados con sepsis 52.3% foco pulmonar infeccioso. Existe una asociación entre las variables demográficas y los resultados (p <0.05). Los antecedentes de accidente cerebrovascular, cirrosis, enfermedad cardíaca y shock séptico están asociados con la muerte (p <0.05). Las señales de advertencia y la disfunción orgánica evaluada están asociadas con el resultado. El foco infeccioso (p = 1) y la taquicardia (p = 0.823) no tienen asociación con el resultado o la gravedad de la sepsis (p = 0.120). Conclusión: existe una asociación entre el perfil demográfico del paciente, las comorbilidades, la disfunción orgánica y el tratamiento terapéutico, con la severidad y el resultado de la sepsis.

Sepse e IAM: conhecimento da população frequentadora de parques e acompanhantes de pacientes / Sepse y IAM: conocimiento de la población frecuentadora de parques y acompañantes de pacientes / Sepsis and AMI: knowledge of the population visiting parks and patient companions

Resumo OBJETIVO Identificar o conhecimento da população referente aos termos "sepse" e "infarto agudo do miocárdio" (IAM). MÉTODO Estudo transversal, quantitativo. Coleta de dados realizada com aplicação de um questionário, para dois grupamentos de participantes distintos: frequentadores de parques selecionados de Porto Alegre/RS e acompanhantes de pacientes internados em um hospital universitário de Porto Alegre/RS. A análise dos resultados foi realizada pela estatística descritiva e inferencial. RESULTADOS A amostra constitui-se de 1986 entrevistados, 1455 de parques e 531 acompanhantes de pacientes internados no hospital. Em relação ao conhecimento de sepse, apenas 19,1% dos entrevistados já tinham ouvido falar sobre o tema, já, em comparação ao conhecimento do IAM, 98,7% souberam responder sobre o termo. CONCLUSÕES Evidenciou-se que o déficit de conhecimento da população sobre o termo "sepse" está diretamente relacionado com o nível social dos entrevistados, demonstrando um déficit no acesso à informação no cuidado em saúde.

Resumen OBJETIVO Identificar el conocimiento de la población referente al término "sepsis" e "infarto del miocardio" (IAM). MÉTODO Estudio transversal, cuantitativo. La recolección de datos realizada con aplicación de un cuestionario, para dos grupos de participantes distintos: frecuentadores de parques selecionados de Porto Alegre/RS y acompañantes de pacientes internados en un hospital universitario de Porto Alegre/RS. El análisis de los resultados fue realizado por la estadística descriptiva e inferencial. RESULTADOS La muestra se constituye de 1986 entrevistados, 1455 de parques y 531 acompañantes de pacientes internados en el hospital. En cuanto al conocimiento de sepsis, sólo el 19,1% de los entrevistados ya había oído hablar sobre el tema, ya en comparación al conocimiento del IAM, el 98,7% supieron responder sobre el término. CONCLUSIONES Se evidenció que el déficit de conocimiento de la población sobre el término "sepsis" está directamente relacionado con el nivel social de los entrevistados, demostrando un déficit en el acceso a la información en el cuidado en salud.

Abstract OBJECTIVE To identify the population's knowledge of the terms "sepsis" and "acute myocardial infarction" (AMI). METHOD Cross-sectional quantitative study. Data was collected through the application of a questionnaire to two groups of participants, as follows: individuals who visit parks in Porto Alegre, State of Rio Grande do Sul and companions of patients of a university hospital in Porto Alegre. Analysis of the results was performed by descriptive and inferential statistics. RESULTSThe sample consisted of 1,986 respondents: 1,455 parkgoers and 531 companions of patients admitted to the hospital. Regarding the knowledge of sepsis, only 19.1% of the respondents had already heard about the subject. However, compared to knowledge about AMI, it was found that 98.7% knew the term. CONCLUSIONS The study found that the scarce knowledge of the population about the term "sepsis" is related to the social level of the respondents, demonstrating poor access to information about health care.

Perfil clínico e complicações em pacientes pronados: uma coorte de um hospital universitário / Clinical profile and complications in prone patients: a cohort from a university hospital

Introdução: Este arquivo busca verificar a incidência de lesões por pressão (LP) e eventos adversos graves em pacientes submetidos à posição prona. Métodos: Estudo de coorte retrospectivo realizado entre 2015 a 2017 no Centro de Terapia Intensiva (CTI) de um Hospital Universitário de Porto Alegre. Os dados foram coletados no prontuário eletrônico por meio de um questionário estruturado e analisados através de estatística descritiva e analítica. Resultados: Foram avaliados 37 pacientes. A incidência de LP após prona foi 8 (21,6%). A ocorrência de eventos adversos durante posicionamento em prona foi 1 (2,7%), durante alternância da posição nadador foram 3 (8%) e nenhum no retorno à posição supina. Conclusões: A incidência de eventos adversos graves e de LP é menor comparados aos outros estudos. A hipótese é que o uso de coxins para o posicionamento, cuidados de enfermagem padronizados, aplicação do checklist e treinamento da equipe são responsáveis para esse resultado. (AU)

Introduction: This paper aims to determine the incidence of pressure ulcers (PUs) and serious adverse events in patients in the prone position. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted from 2015 to 2017 in the intensive care unit of a university hospital in Porto Alegre, southern Brazil. Data were collected from electronic medical records using a structured questionnaire and analyzed by descriptive and analytical statistics. Results: Thirty-seven patients were evaluated. Of these, 8 (21.6%) had PUs after prone positioning. One (2.7%) adverse event occurred during prone positioning, 3 (8%) when patients were alternately placed in the swimmer's position, and none when patients were returned to the supine position. Conclusions: The incidence of serious adverse events and PUs was lower than that reported in previous studies. A hypothesis is that the use of cushions for positioning, standardized nursing care, checklists, and team training are responsible for this outcome. (AU)