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This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial demonstrates that administration of erythropoietin once a week for three weeks does not reduce the incidence of red blood cell transfusion in a mixed population of critically ill patients but is associated with an increased incidence of thrombotic events and a possible decrease in mortality in trauma patients.
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In this survey of US hospitals, more than half did not have an identifiable ICU director. Loss of autonomy and income for admitting primary physicians were perceived as important barriers to implementation of the Leapfrog Group's ICU physician staffing guidelines.
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Early identification, coupled with appropriate control measures, reduces the rate of C. difficile infection and the frequency of adverse events.
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In this issue: FDA warnings for existing drugs dominate pharmaceutical news this month.
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Previous work demonstrates that selective gut decontamination decreases the risk of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), but the practice has been limited by concerns about promoting antibiotic resistance.
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De Jong and colleagues in The Netherlands conducted a prospective, randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, placebo-controlled, parallel-group clinical study of intravenous vs oral corticosteroids in the treatment of patients hospitalized because of an exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
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Multiple recent studies have demonstrated that red blood cell (RBC) transfusion may be deleterious to critically ill patients, as it has been found to be associated with increased mortality following coronary artery bypass surgery, increased rates of ventilator-associated pneumonia and worse outcomes in patients with burn injury and trauma.