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In This Issue: Baxter Bioscience has developed a whole-virus, two dose
vaccine against avian flu; warning label now on antipsychotics regarding an increased risk of mortality in elderly patients treated for dementia-related psychosis; vitamin D for men with heart disease on
horizon? A new oral anticoagulant may soon be available for prevention of thrombotic complications of hip or knee surgery; FDA Actions
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B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a neurohormone secreted by the heart whose levels are elevated in acute heart failure and also in left- and right-ventricular dysfunction.
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The Institute of Medicine has called for a patient centered model of care in which patients and families are kept informed about their care. Many ICU patients are unable to communicate and, therefore, family members are called upon for decision-making.
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Systemic corticosteroids are immunosuppressive and associated with serious long-term side effects. Primarily for these reasons, clinicians have long avoided their use in patients with known infections.
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In This Issue: Shingles vaccine added to CDC list of vaccines for adults 60 and older; CDC recommends Tdap for postpartum women; new study suggests sequential therapy with antibiotics for H. pylori may be more effective than standard therapy; FDA Actions.
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Although protocol-driven sedation and analgesia management has been shown to improve patient outcomes, adherence to these guidelines is often poor.
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Clinicians generally believe that mechanical ventilation rests and restores the respiratory muscles in acute respiratory failure.
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Effective patient communication is a critical component to ICU patient care and to family member understanding of a critical illness.
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