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Purpose: Spontaneous breathing trials (SBT) evaluate the patient's capacity to maintain inspiratory effort after extubation. SBT practices are heterogeneous and not individualised. The objective of this study was to assess which SBT best reproduces inspiratory effort after extubation in five critical illnesses. Methods: In this multicentre randomized cross-over study, adult intensive care unit patients under invasive mechanical ventilation for at least 24-h and ready for extubation, underwent three 15-min SBTs in random order: pressure support ventilation level of 7-cmH2O with positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) level of 0-cmH2O (PSV7PEEP0), PSV 0-cmH2O with PEEP 0-cmH2O (PSV0PEEP0) and T-piece trial. Primary outcome was the variation of pressure–time-product per minute (PTPmin) between each SBT and 20-min after extubation. Five categories of critical illnesses were selected: abdominal surgery, brain injury, chest trauma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and miscellaneous. Results: Five hundred measures of effort from 100 patients were analysed. PTPmin (cmH2O s/min, median and interquartile range, IQR) was 256 (208–321) after extubation, 192 (127–281) at the end of PSV7PEEP0 (p < 0.001 in comparison to after extubation), 291 (235–347) at the end of PSV0PEEP0 and 262 (198–338) at the end of T-piece (both no different from after extubation). One method of SBT in patients with brain injury (PSV0PEEP0), two in abdominal surgery (PSV0PEEP0 and T-piece) and miscellaneous patients (PSV7PEEP0 and T-piece) and all three methods in chest trauma and COPD exacerbation patients replicated reasonably accurately the postextubation effort to breathe. Conclusion: Unassisted SBTs, namely PSV0PEEP0 and T-piece trial, are the most appropriate to replicate the postextubation effort to breathe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Molecular Adsorbent Recirculating System (MARS®) is a non-biological artificial liver device. The benefit risk ratio between uncertain clinical effects and potential adverse events remains difficult to assess. We sought to describe adverse events related to MARS® therapy as well as biological and clinical effects.Methods: All intensive care unit (ICU) admissions to whom MARS® therapy was prescribed from March 2005 to August 2021 were consecutively and prospectively included. The main endpoint was the incidence of adverse events related to MARS® therapy. Secondary endpoints were the biological and clinical effects of MARS® therapy.Results: We reported 180 admissions treated with MARS® therapy. Among the 180 admissions, 56 (31.1%) were for acute-on-chronic liver failure, 32 (17.8%) for acute liver failure, 28 (15.5%) for post-surgery liver failure, 52 (28.9%) for pruritus and 12 (6.7%) for drug intoxication. At least one adverse event occurred in 95 (52.8%) admissions. Thrombocytopenia was the most frequent adverse event which was recorded in 55 admissions (30.6%). Overall, platelets count was 131 (± 95) × 109/L before and 106 (± 72) × 109/L after MARS® therapy (p < .001). After MARS® therapy, total bilirubin was significantly decreased in all groups (p < 0.05). Hepatic encephalopathy significantly improved in both the acute-on-chronic and in the acute liver failure group (p = 0.01). In the pruritus group, pruritus intensity score was significantly decreased after MARS® therapy (p < 0.01).Conclusion: In this large cohort of patients treated with MARS® therapy we report frequent adverse events. Thrombocytopenia was the most frequent adverse event. In all applications significant clinical and biological improvements were shown with MARS® therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To assess the impact of different electronic relaxation devices on common stressful patient symptoms experienced in intensive care unit (ICU).Methods: Sixty critically ill patients were enrolled in four relaxation sessions using a randomized cross-over design: standard relaxation (TV/radio), music therapy (MUSIC-CARE©), and two virtual reality systems using either real motion pictures (DEEPSEN©) or synthetic motion pictures (HEALTHY-MIND©). The goal was to determine which device was the best to reduce overall patient discomfort intensity (0-10 Numeric Rating Scale (NRS); primary endpoint). Secondary endpoints were specific stressful symptoms (pain, anxiety, dyspnea, thirst, and lack of rest feeling) and stress response measured by Analgesia/Nociception Index (ANI). Multivariate mixed-effect analysis was used, taking into account patient characteristics and multiple measurements.Results: Fifty patients followed the full research protocol, and ten patients did at least one research planned session of relaxation. HEALTHY-MIND© was associated with a significant decrease in overall discomfort, the primary endpoint (median NRS = 4[2-6] vs. 2[0-5]; p = 0.01, mixed-effect model), accompanied by a significant decrease in stress response (increase in ANI, secondary endpoint; p < 0.01). Regarding other secondary endpoints, each of the two virtual reality systems was associated with a decrease in anxiety (p < 0.01), while HEALTHY-MIND© was associated also with a decrease in pain (p = 0.001) and DEEPSEN© with a decrease in lack of rest (p = 0.01). Three incidents (claustrophobia/dyspnea/agitation) were reported among 109 virtual reality sessions. Cybersickness was rare (NRS = 0[0-0]).Conclusion: Electronic relaxation therapy is a promising, safe, and effective non-pharmacological solution that can be used to improve overall discomfort in alert and non-delirious ICU patients. Its effectiveness depends on technical characteristics (virtual reality using a synthetic imagined world versus a real world or music therapy alone without virtual reality), as well as the type of symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cross-sectional research shows that campus recreation (CR) facility use is related to higher grade point averages (GPA) and favorable health indices. Further research is needed to address whether the relationships are caused by greater use of CR facilities or the accommodation of existing behaviors valued by students with higher GPA and favorable health indices. Thus, 179 first year student's GPA, body mass index (BM1), television (TV) viewing, physical activity (IPAQ), and nutrient intakes were compared between those who increased CR visits (by ≥ 1 day/wk), and those who decreased CR visits (by≥ 1 day/wk) between fall and spring semesters. No significant (p < .05) differences were found between the groups for GPA, BMI, TV time, IPAQ scores, or nutrient intakes. Though these data indicate that GPA and health indices are minimally impacted by an increase or decrease in CR use, they suggest that students with higher GPA and favorable health indices are more likely to use CR facilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cross-sectional research shows that campus recreation (CR) facility use is related to higher grade point averages (GPA) and favorable health indices. Further research is needed to address whether the relationships are caused by greater use of CR facilities or the accommodation of existing behaviors valued by students with higher GPA and favorable health indices. Thus, 179 first year student's GPA, body mass index (BMI), television (TV) viewing, physical activity (IPAQ), and nutrient intakes were compared between those who increased CR visits (by ≥ 1 day/wk), and those who decreased CR visits (by = ≥ day/wk) between fall and spring semesters. No significant (p < .05) differences were found between the groups for GPA, BMI, TV time, IPAQ scores, or nutrient intakes. Though these data indicate that GPA and health indices are minimally impacted by an increase or decrease in CR use, they suggest that students with higher GPA and favorable health indices are more likely to use CR facilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Transcranial sonography is a point-of-care tool recommended in intensive care units (ICU) to monitor brain injured patients. Objectives of the study was to assess feasibility and reliability of the third ventricle (V3) diameter measurement using transcranial sonography (TCS) compared to brain computed-tomography (CT), the gold standard measurement, and to measure the TCS learning curve. Design: prospective study, in a 16-bed neurological ICU in an academic hospital. Every consecutive brain injured adult patient, who required a brain CT and TCS monitoring were included. The V3 diameter was blindly measured by TCS and CT. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Bland–Altman plot were used to assess the reliability and agreement between TCS and CT V3 measurements. Diagnosis performance of the V3 diameter using TCS to detect hydrocephalus was measured. Absolute difference between V3 measurement by residents and experts was measured consecutively to assess the learning curve. Results: Among the 100 patients included in the study, V3 diameter could be assessed in 87 patients (87%) from at least one side of the skull. Both temporal windows were available in 70 patients (70%). The ICC between V3 diameter measured by TCS and CT was 0.90 [95% CI 0.84–0.93] on the right side, and 0.92 [0.88–0.95] on the left side. In Bland–Altman analysis, mean difference, standard deviation, 95% limits of agreement were 0.36, 1.52, − 2.7 to 3.3 mm, respectively, on the right side; 0.25, 1.47, − 2.7 to 3.1 mm, respectively, on the left side. Among the 35 patients with hydrocephalus, V3 diameters could be measured by TCS in 31 patients (89%) from at least one side. Hydrocephalus was, respectively, excluded, confirmed, or inconclusive using TCS in 35 (40%), 25 (29%) and 27 (31%) of the 87 assessable patients. After 5 measurements, every resident reached a satisfactory measurement compared to the expert operator. Conclusion: TCS allows rapid, simple and reliable V3 diameter measurement compared with the gold standard in neuro-ICU patients. Aside from sparing irradiating procedures and transfers to the radiology department, it may especially increase close patient monitoring to detect clinically occult hydrocephalus earlier. Further studies are needed to measure the potential clinical benefit of this method. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT02830269. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Transcranial sonography is a point-of-care tool recommended in intensive care units (ICU) to monitor brain injured patients. Objectives of the study was to assess feasibility and reliability of the third ventricle (V3) diameter measurement using transcranial sonography (TCS) compared to brain computed-tomography (CT), the gold standard measurement, and to measure the TCS learning curve. Design: prospective study, in a 16-bed neurological ICU in an academic hospital. Every consecutive brain injured adult patient, who required a brain CT and TCS monitoring were included. The V3 diameter was blindly measured by TCS and CT. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Bland–Altman plot were used to assess the reliability and agreement between TCS and CT V3 measurements. Diagnosis performance of the V3 diameter using TCS to detect hydrocephalus was measured. Absolute difference between V3 measurement by residents and experts was measured consecutively to assess the learning curve. Results: Among the 100 patients included in the study, V3 diameter could be assessed in 87 patients (87%) from at least one side of the skull. Both temporal windows were available in 70 patients (70%). The ICC between V3 diameter measured by TCS and CT was 0.90 [95% CI 0.84–0.93] on the right side, and 0.92 [0.88–0.95] on the left side. In Bland–Altman analysis, mean difference, standard deviation, 95% limits of agreement were 0.36, 1.52, − 2.7 to 3.3 mm, respectively, on the right side; 0.25, 1.47, − 2.7 to 3.1 mm, respectively, on the left side. Among the 35 patients with hydrocephalus, V3 diameters could be measured by TCS in 31 patients (89%) from at least one side. Hydrocephalus was, respectively, excluded, confirmed, or inconclusive using TCS in 35 (40%), 25 (29%) and 27 (31%) of the 87 assessable patients. After 5 measurements, every resident reached a satisfactory measurement compared to the expert operator. Conclusion: TCS allows rapid, simple and reliable V3 diameter measurement compared with the gold standard in neuro-ICU patients. Aside from sparing irradiating procedures and transfers to the radiology department, it may especially increase close patient monitoring to detect clinically occult hydrocephalus earlier. Further studies are needed to measure the potential clinical benefit of this method. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT02830269. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Critically ill patients with systemic rheumatic disease (SRD) have benefited from better provision of rheumatic and critical care in recent years. Recent comprehensive data regarding in-hospital mortality rates and, most importantly, long-term outcomes are scarce.Research Question: The aim of this study was to assess short and long-term outcome of patients with SRD who were admitted to the ICU.Study Design and Methods: All records of patients with SRD who were admitted to ICU between 2006 and 2016 were reviewed. In-hospital and one-year mortality rates were assessed, and predictive factors of death were identified.Results: A total of 525 patients with SRD were included. Causes of admission were most frequently shock (40.8%) and acute respiratory failure (31.8%). Main diagnoses were infection (39%) and SRD flare-up (35%). In-hospital and one-year mortality rates were 30.5% and 37.7%, respectively. Predictive factors that were associated with in-hospital and one-year mortalities were, respectively, age, prior corticosteroid therapy, simplified acute physiology score II ≥50, need for invasive mechanical ventilation, or need for renal replacement therapy. Knaus scale C or D and prior conventional disease modifying antirheumatic drug therapy was associated independently with death one-year after ICU admission.Interpretation: Critically ill patients with SRD had a fair outcome after an ICU stay. Increased age, prior corticosteroid therapy, and severity of critical illness were associated significantly with short- and long-term mortality rates. The one-year mortality rate was also associated with prior health status and conventional disease modifying antirheumatic drug therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This qualitative case study explored the manner by which team captains and intramural players were educated about the Sportsmanship Rating System (SRS) used by their intramural sports program and their perceptions about the SRS. While some form of an SRS is widely used by NIRSA members (Stier et al., 2008), virtually no research has been conducted as to its effectiveness. The site was a medium sized, public, four year institution in the mid-Atlantic region. A total of 31 participants took part in the study. Data collection took place over a six-week time period and included a) observation, b) document analysis, c) interviews, and d) focus groups. The findings revealed that an SRS is mostly ineffective in positively modifying sportsmanship behavior unless the intramural participants are properly educated about the SRS and understand its scoring criteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, assessing learning outcomes has become a priority as colleges and universities have had to justify their existence to outside interests. Higher education institutions and administrators have had to account for the effects, or outcomes, of college that demonstrate its value to graduating students. Consequently, student affairs and campus life entities have felt the need to justify their existence within the larger campus community. Therefore, many academic and students affairs departments have refocused their assessment efforts on the student learning outcomes of their programs and other interventions with students. Assessing student learning outcomes has been challenging for many in the recreational sport profession. Part of this challenge lies in an inability to adequately determine and define the object of the assessment. To properly assess learning outcomes, the intended outcomes must be written in specific, measurable terms. This article adapts the ABCD method, introduced by Jordan, DeGraaf, and DeGraaf (2005), as a method for writing specific and measurable learning outcomes. Recreational sport administrators may incorporate this method to assist them in the development of a strategic assessment plan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study integrated the services marketing and social identity literature to examine the moderating effect of Identification on the relationship between service quality factors (i.e., Program Quality, Interaction Quality, Outcome Quality, Physical Environment Quality) and Satisfaction. The study was administered using a modified version of Ko and Pastore's (2007) Scale of Service Quality in Recreational Sports (SSQRS) and Wann and Branscombe's (1990) team identification questionnaire. Data were collected from more than 4,000 campus faculty and undergraduate student recreational users attending a university within the Middle Atlantic region of the United States. Results of the regression analysis demonstrated that Identification had a significant interactive effect when added to Outcome Quality, F(1, 3663) = 105.869, p < .001, such that higher Identification is related to higher Satisfaction. Identification also had a significant interactive effect with Program Quality, F(1, 3850) = 25.281, p < .001, such that higher Identification is related to lower Satisfaction. There was no significant interactive effect between Identification and Interaction Quality, F(1,3692) = 1.464, p = .226; and Physical Environment Quality, F(1, 3721) = 1.977, p = .160. The findings have important implications for campus recreation professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Body mass index (BMI), electronic media (EM) use, International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) scores, selected nutrient intake, smoking, and grade point averages (GPA) were compared between campus recreation (CR) facility users and nonusers at a public, four-year institution in the mid-Atlantic region. Participants (n = 1034) were categorized by CR visits: nonusers, low users (>0 to <1 visit/wk), moderate users (≥1 to <3 visits/wk), or high users (≥3 visits/wk). Significant (p < .05) main effects between user groups were found for BMI, EM use, IPAQ scores, fat intake, smoking, and GPA. High users had better GPA (3.35 vs. ≤3.15 for others), IPAQ scores (8135 MET-min/wk vs. <6800 MET-min/wk for others), and lower fat intake (<30% of total calories vs. >30.9% of total calories for others) than all other groups. High users also had lower BMI (22.8 kg/m2) than moderate users and nonusers (>23.9 kg/m2) and lower EM use (5.56 hr/d) than nonusers (6.55 hr/d). These results indicate that CR visitations are favorably associated with academic achievement and good health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Among acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) patients in intensive care units, the efficacy of lung recruitment maneuver (LRM) use is uncertain taking into account the most recent randomized controlled trials (RCTs). We aimed to estimate the effect of LRMs on mortality from ARDS.Methods: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched for RCTs comparing mechanical ventilation with and without LRMs in adults with ARDS. We generated pooled relative risks (RR), mean difference, performed trial-sequential-analysis and cumulative meta-analysis. The primary outcome was 28-day mortality. The secondary outcomes were oxygenation evaluated by PaO2/FiO2 ratio, rate of rescue therapy and rate of hemodynamic compromise.Results: In 14 RCTs including 3185 patients, LRMs were not associated with reduced 28-day mortality (RR = 0.92, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.82-1.04, P = 0.21), compared to no-LRM. Trial-sequential-analysis showed that the required information size has been accrued. PaO2/FiO2 ratio was significantly higher in the LRMs group in comparison to the no-LRM group (mean difference = 47.6 mmHg, 95% CI 33.4-61.8, P < 0.001). LRMs were associated with a decreased rate of rescue therapy (RR = 0.69 95% CI 0.56-0.84, P < 0.001), and an increased rate of hemodynamic compromise (RR = 1.19, 95% CI 1.06-1.33, P = 0.002), compared to no-LRM group. Using cumulative meta-analysis, a significant change for effect on mortality was observed after 2017.Conclusions: The results suggest that in ARDS patients, systematic use of LRMs does not significantly improve 28-day mortality. However, LRM use was associated with positive effects such as an oxygenation improvement and a less frequent use of rescue therapy. Nevertheless, LRM use was associated with negative effects such as hemodynamic impairment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article aims to shine a light on cross sector collaboration between the NHS and charities/support groups to mutually benefit patients and their families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The relation between driving pressure (plateau pressure-positive end-expiratory pressure) and mortality has never been studied in obese ARDS patients. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between 90-day mortality and driving pressure in an ARDS population ventilated in the intensive care unit (ICU) according to obesity status.Methods: We conducted a retrospective single-center study of prospectively collected data of all ARDS patients admitted consecutively to a mixed medical-surgical adult ICU from January 2009 to May 2017. Plateau pressure, compliance of the respiratory system (Crs) and driving pressure of the respiratory system within 24 h of ARDS diagnosis were compared between survivors and non-survivors at day 90 and between obese (body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2) and non-obese patients. Cox proportional hazard modeling was used for mortality at day 90.Results: Three hundred sixty-two ARDS patients were included, 262 (72%) non-obese and 100 (28%) obese patients. Mortality rate at day 90 was respectively 47% (95% CI, 40-53) in the non-obese and 46% (95% CI, 36-56) in the obese patients. Driving pressure at day 1 in the non-obese patients was significantly lower in survivors at day 90 (11.9 ± 4.2 cmH2O) than in non-survivors (15.2 ± 5.2 cmH2O, p < 0.001). Contrarily, in obese patients, driving pressure at day 1 was not significantly different between survivors (13.7 ± 4.5 cmH2O) and non-survivors (13.2 ± 5.1 cmH2O, p = 0.41) at day 90. After three multivariate Cox analyses, plateau pressure [HR = 1.04 (95% CI 1.01-1.07) for each point of increase], Crs [HR = 0.97 (95% CI 0.96-0.99) for each point of increase] and driving pressure [HR = 1.07 (95% CI 1.04-1.10) for each point of increase], respectively, were independently associated with 90-day mortality in non-obese patients, but not in obese patients.Conclusions: Contrary to non-obese ARDS patients, driving pressure was not associated with mortality in obese ARDS patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: One third of patients admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) will develop delirium. However, delirium is under-recognized by bedside clinicians without the use of delirium screening tools, such as the Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist (ICDSC) or the Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU (CAM-ICU). The CAM-ICU was updated in 2014 to improve its use by clinicians throughout the world. It has never been validated compared to the new reference standard, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th version (DSM-5). Methods: We made a prospective psychometric study in a 16-bed medical-surgical ICU of a French academic hospital, to measure the diagnostic performance of the 2014 updated CAM-ICU compared to the DSM-5 as the reference standard. We included consecutive adult patients with a Richmond Agitation Sedation Scale (RASS) ≥ -3, without preexisting cognitive disorders, psychosis or cerebral injury. Delirium was independently assessed by neuropsychological experts using an operationalized approach to DSM-5, by investigators using the CAM-ICU and the ICDSC, by bedside clinicians and by ICU patients. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were calculated considering neuropsychologist DSM-5 assessments as the reference standard (primary endpoint). CAM-ICU inter-observer agreement, as well as that between delirium diagnosis methods and the reference standard, was summarized using κ coefficients, which were subsequently compared using the Z-test. Results: Delirium was diagnosed by experts in 38% of the 108 patients included for analysis. The CAM-ICU had a sensitivity of 83%, a specificity of 100%, a positive predictive value of 100% and a negative predictive value of 91%. Compared to the reference standard, the CAM-ICU had a significantly (p < 0.05) higher agreement (κ = 0.86 ± 0.05) than the physicians,' residents' and nurses' diagnoses (κ = 0.65 ± 0.09; 0.63 ± 0.09; 0.61 ± 0.09, respectively), as well as the patient's own impression of feeling delirious (κ = 0.02 ± 0.11). Differences between the ICDSC (κ = 0.69 ± 0.07) and CAM-ICU were not significant (p = 0.054). The CAM-ICU demonstrated a high reliability for inter-observer agreement (κ = 0.87 ± 0.06). Conclusions: The 2014 updated version of the CAM-ICU is valid according to DSM-5 criteria and reliable regarding inter-observer agreement in a research setting. Delirium remains under-recognized by bedside clinicians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: High-flow nasal cannula oxygen (HFNC) has the potential to provide apnoeic oxygenation. We decided to assess in a proof-of-concept study whether the addition of HFNC to non-invasive ventilation (NIV) could reduce oxygen desaturation during intubation, compared with NIV alone for preoxygenation, in severely hypoxaemic intensive care unit (ICU) patients with respiratory failure.Methods: We conducted a randomised, controlled, single-centre trial with assessor-blinded outcome assessment in patients admitted to the ICU. Hypoxaemic patients requiring orotracheal intubation for respiratory failure were randomised to receive preoxygenation using HFNC [flow = 60 L/min, fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) = 100 %] combined with NIV (pressure support = 10 cmH2O, positive end-expiratory pressure = 5 cmH2O, FiO2 = 100 %) in the intervention group or NIV alone in the reference group prior to intubation. The primary outcome was the lowest oxygen saturation (SpO2) during the intubation procedure. Secondary outcomes were intubation-related complications and ICU mortality.Results: Between July 2015 and February 2016, we randomly assigned 25 and 24 patients to the intervention and reference groups, respectively. In both groups the main reasons for respiratory failure were pneumonia and ARDS. During the intubation procedure, the lowest SpO2 values were significantly higher in the intervention group than in the reference group [100 (95-100) % vs. 96 (92-99) %, p = 0.029]. After exclusion of two patients from analysis for protocol violation, no (0 %) patients in the intervention group and five (21 %) patients in the reference group had SpO2 below 80 % (p = 0.050). We recorded no significant difference between the groups in intubation-related complications or ICU mortality.Conclusions: A novel strategy for preoxygenation in hypoxaemic patients, adding HFNC for apnoeic oxygenation to NIV prior to orotracheal intubation, may be more effective in reducing the severity of oxygen desaturation than the reference method using NIV alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses an accuracy diagnosis study conducted to validate the Analgesia Nociception Index (ANI), an electrophysiological tool that measures pain intensity using spectral analysis of heart rate variability, which allows estimation of the balance between parasympathetic and sympathetic tones. The researchers found that the Behavioral Pain Scale score significantly increased during the catheter dressing change in intensive care patients, while the ANI strongly decreased.

Introduction: A quality-improvement project was conducted to reduce severe pain and stress-related events while moving ICU-patients. Methods: The Plan-Do-Check-Adjust cycle was studied during four one-month phases, separated by five-month interphases. All consecutive patients staying more than 24 hours were evaluated every morning while being moved for nursing care (bathing, massage, sheet-change, repositioning). Phase 1 was considered as the baseline. Implemented and adjusted quality-interventions were assessed at phases 2 and 3, respectively. An independent post-intervention controlaudit was performed at Phase 4. Primary-endpoints were the incidence of severe pain defined by a behavioral pain scale > 5 or a 0 to 10 visual numeric rating scale > 6, and the incidence of serious adverse events (SAE): cardiac arrest, arrhythmias, tachycardia, bradycardia, hypertension, hypotension, desaturation, bradypnea or ventilatory distress. Pain, SAE, patients' characteristics and analgesia were compared among the phases by a multivariate mixed-effects model for repeatedmeasurements, adjusted on severity index, age, admission type (medical/surgical), intubation and sedation status. Results: During the four studied phases, 630 care procedures were analyzed in 53, 47, 43 and 50 patients, respectively. Incidence of severe pain decreased significantly from 16% (baseline) to 6% in Phase 3 (odds ratio (OR) = 0.33 (0.11; 0.98), P = 0.04) and 2% in Phase 4 (OR = 0.30 (0.12; 0.95), P = 0.02). Incidence of SAE decreased significantly from 37% (baseline) to 17% in Phase 3 and 21% in Phase 4. In multivariate analysis, SAE were independently associated with Phase 3 (OR = 0.40 (0.23; 0.72), P < 0.01), Phase 4 (OR = 0.53 (0.30; 0.92), P = 0.03), intubation status (OR = 1.91 (1.28; 2.85), P < 0.01) and severe pain (OR = 2.74 (1.54; 4.89), P < 0.001). Conclusions: Severe pain and serious adverse events are common and strongly associated while moving ICU patients for nursing procedures. Quality improvement of pain management is associated with a decrease of serious adverse events. Careful documentation of pain management during mobilization for nursing procedures could be implemented as a health quality indicator in the ICU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Parents and carers of children with eczema often underuse emollient therapy, essential to repairing and protecting the defective skin barrier in atopic eczema. Educational interventions delivered by specialist dermatology nurses in hospital settings have been shown to improve emollient use and reduce symptoms of atopic eczema, but benefits of community-based interventions are uncertain. Support and information about appropriate care may often be inadequate for patients and carers in the community. Methods: A multifaceted educational support programme was evaluated as a method of increasing emollient use and reducing atopic eczema in children. Support provided for parents and carers included an educational DVD, online daily diary and telephone helpline. The before and after study included 136 British children and their parents, providing baseline and 12 week follow-up data while receiving the programme. Measures included emollient use, POEM and PEST scores, and cost of care. Results: Average emollient use increased by 87.6 g (95% CI: 81.9 to 119.5 g, p = 0.001) from baseline with the change being immediate and persistent. The POEM score reduced on average by 5.38 (95% CI: 4.36 to 6.41, p = 0.001), a 47% reduction from baseline. Similarly the PEST score reduced on average by 0.61 (95% CI: 0.47 to 0.75, p = 0.001), a 48% reduction from baseline. Sleep disturbance was reduced by 1.27 nights per week (95% CI: 0.85 to 1.68, p = 0.001) and parental feeling of control improved by 1.32 points (95% CI: 1.16 to 1.48, p = 0.001). From the NHS perspective, the programme was cost neutral overall within the study period. Conclusion: A community-based multifaceted educational support programme greatly increased emollient use, reducing symptoms of atopic eczema and general practitioner contacts, without increasing cost. Significant benefits may accrue to the families and carers of children with atopic eczema due to improved sleep patterns and greater feeling of control. PEST, a new simple measure of acute and remitting atopic eczema severity designed to help parents and children to monitor and manage eczema, merits further evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To assess the impact of a simple computer-based decision-support system (computer help) on the quality of nutrition support orders and patients' outcome in Intensive-Care Unit (ICU). Methods: This quality-improvement study was carried out in a 16-bed medical-surgical ICU in a French university hospital. All consecutive patients who stayed in ICU more than 10 days with non-oral feeding for more than 5 days were retrospectively included during two 12-month periods. Prescriptions of nutrition support were collected and compared to French national guidelines as a quality-improvement process. A computer help was constructed using a simple Excel-sheet (MicrosoftTM) to guide physicians' prescriptions according to guidelines. This computer help was displayed in computers previously used for medical orders. Physicians were informed but no systematic protocol was implemented. Patients included during the first (control group) and second period (computer help group) were compared for achievement of nutrition goals and ICU outcomes. Results: The control and computer help groups respectively included 71 and 95 patients. Patients' characteristics were not significantly different between groups. In the computer help group, prescriptions achieved significantly more often 80% of nutrition goals for calorie (45% vs. 79% p<0.001) and nitrogen intake (3% vs. 37%, p<0.001). Incidence of nosocomial infections decreased significantly between the two groups (59% vs. 41%, p = 0.03). Mortality did not significantly differ between control (21%) and computer help groups (15%, p = 0.30). Conclusions: Use of a widespread inexpensive computer help is associated with significant improvements in nutrition support orders and decreased nosocomial infections in ICU patients. This computer-help is provided in electronic supplement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Endotracheal intubation in the ICU is associated with a high incidence of complications. Etomidate use is debated in septic shock because it increases the risk of critical illness-related corticosteroid insufficiency, which may impact outcome. We hypothesized that hydrocortisone, administered in all septic shock cases in our ICU, may counteract some negative effects of etomidate. The aim of our study was to compare septic shock patients who received etomidate versus another induction drug both for short-term safety and for long-term outcomes. Methods: A single-center observational study was carried out in septic shock patients, treated with hydrocortisone and intubated within the first 48 hours of septic shock. Co-primary end points were life-threatening complications incidence occurring within the first hour after intubation and mortality during the ICU stay. Statistical analyses included unmatched and matched cohorts using a propensity score analysis. P < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Sixty patients in the etomidate cohort and 42 patients in the non-etomidate cohort were included. Critical illness-related corticosteroid insufficiency was 79% in the etomidate cohort and 52% in the non-etomidate cohort (P = 0.01). After intubation, life-threatening complications occurred in 36% of the patients whatever the cohort. After adjustment with propensity score analysis, etomidate was a protective factor for death in the ICU both in unmatched (hazard ratio, 0.33 (0.15 to 0.75); P < 0.01)) and matched cohorts (hazard ratio, 0.33 (0.112 to 0.988); P = 0.04). Conclusion: In septic shock patients treated with hydrocortisone, etomidate did not decrease life-threatening complications following intubation, but when associated with hydrocortisone it also did not impair outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atopic eczema often develops during infancy and can have a significant impact on patients' quality of life. However, despite this the condition is often not taken seriously by health-care professionals. Atopic eczema is also a widespread problem, affecting as many as 15-20% of children in Britain. The incidence of atopic eczema has risen over the last few decades and genetic factors are no longer thought to be the only aetiological factor--it is now postulated that environmental may also play a part in the development of the condition. Recent research highlights how a defective skin barrier can be a significant issue for atopic skin. This article looks at how atopic eczema affects the quality of life of patients and details the management techniques that are available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An introduction is presented in which the editors discuss various articles within the issue on topics including legacy of the transatlantic slave trade, embedded community engagement programmes in Ghana, and changing political landscape in France and Germany.

The article focuses on the documentation of biological research diversity in the American Institute of Biological Sciences' (AIBS) Faces of Biology Photo Contest as featured in the works of the 2018 winners. Topics discussed include an overview of the AIBS photo contest, the improvement of public understanding of biological sciences, and the contest winners Carla DeMasters, Katie Peterson, and Katherine Fu.

The article offers information on the annual Faces of Biology Photo Contest sponsored by the American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS). The 2016 contest winners include Christopher Guy, Alina Chan and Juri Miyamae who represent a diverse range of biological research. It notes that the contest offers scientists an opportunity to showcase the varied forms that biological research can take.

The article focuses on the scientific legacy of U.S. President Barack Obama. Topics discussed include the laudable involvement of Obama with science, the advanced interdisciplinary research initiatives associated with human health, the morale of federal scientists, the challenge posed by climate change to the Obama administration.

The article focuses on the 2015 Faces of Biology Photo Contest sponsored by the American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS). Topics discussed include the subjects to be used in the photo contest, the requirements for entry submission, the winning entries from researcher Denver Holt, curatorial assistant of entomology Isa Betancourt and doctoral candidate Tyeen Taylor, and the 2016 contest in April.