Critical Care Alert – September 1, 2014
September 1, 2014
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Reduced ICU Bed Availability is Associated with Worse Outcomes on the General Wards
This observational cohort study found that reduced ICU bed availability is associated with increased rates of ICU readmission as well as ward cardiac arrest if medical ICU beds were on shortage. -
Weaning with Noninvasive Ventilation in COPD
Managing COPD with noninvasive ventilation following early extubation resulted in significant improvements in several patient-centered outcomes compared to current weaning practices. -
Tissue Plasminogen Activator and Acute Ischemic Stroke Reviewed
The authors present an updated review of the use of tissue plasminogen activator in patients with acute ischemic stroke. -
Questions Asked During Handovers Provide Insights into Ways to Improve Communication Skills
Interactive questioning, defined as how communication occurs during handovers, differed in ways that influenced message clarity when comparisons were made between those with more training (attending physicians, nurse practitioners) and less training (residents, staff nurses). -
To Improve Outcomes in AECOPD, Go Easy on the Steroids!
In this examination of outcomes among 17,239 patients admitted to the ICU for an acute exacerbation of COPD, most of them received higher than recommended doses of corticosteroids (> 240 mg/d methylprednisolone equivalent).