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Summary Background Rapid Response Team (RRT) calls can often occur within 24 h of hospital admission to a general ward. We seek to determine whether it is possible to identify these patients before there is a significant clinical deterioration. Methods Retrospective case–controlled study comparing patient characteristics, vital signs, and hospital outcomes in patients triggering RRT activation within 24 h of ED admission (cases) with matched ED admissions not receiving a RRT call (controls). Results Over 12 months, there were 154 early RRT calls. Compared with controls, cases had a higher heart rate (HR) at triage (92 vs. 84 beats/min; p = 0.008); after 3 h in the ED (91 vs. 80 beats/min; p = 0.0007); and at ED discharge (91 vs. 81 beats/min; p = 0.0005). Respiratory rate (RR) was also higher at triage (21.2 vs. 19.2 breaths/min; p = 0.001). On multiple variable analysis, RR at triage and HR before ward transfer predicted early RRT activation: OR 1.07 [95% CI 1.02–1.12] for each 1 breath/min increase in RR; and 1.02 [95% CI 1.002–1.030] for each beat/minute increase in HR, respectively. Study patients required transfer to the intensive care in approximately 20% of cases and also had a greater mortality: (21% vs. 6%; OR 4.65 [95% CI 1.86–11.65]; p = 0.0003) compared with controls. Conclusions Patients that trigger RRT calls within 24 h of admission have a fourfold increase in risk of in-hospital mortality. Such patients may be identified by greater tachycardia and tachypnoea in the ED. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to establish the validity and reliability of measuring weight in critically ill patients with electronic weighing beds. Methods: All patients admitted to a private intensive care unit (ICU) after cardiac surgery over a 7-month period were weighed on admission and then twice daily (1200 and 2400 hours) using electronic weighing beds (Hill-Rom, Batesville, AR). For each measurement, nonremovable items were recorded, and an average value was deducted from measured weight. We compared differences in body weights (BWs) between 2 consecutive 12-hour periods with the corresponding fluid balance (FB). In addition, we compared weights obtained with electronic weighing beds with those obtained with a regular calibrated scale on ICU discharge. Results: We obtained data in 103 patients for 414 (75.5%) of 548 of all possible BW measurements. On average, we identified a total of 3.5 kg (SD, 1.4) of nonremovable items on patients' beds. The correlation between 12- hourly changes in BW and FB was weak (r = 0.28; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.17-0.39), even after correction for insensible fluid losses (r=0.27; 95% CI, 0.15-0.38) and when only values obtained in intubated patients were taken into account (r=0.34; 95% CI, 0.16-0.49). Similarly, limits of agreements were wide (95% CI, -3.3 to 3.5 kg). There was also poor agreement between weights obtained on electronic beds and those obtained on the regular scale on ICU discharge (95% CI, -7.6 to 7.6 kg). Conclusion: Body weight measured by electronic weighing beds does not seem sufficiently robust or accurate to replace daily FB in ICU. The clinical value of purchasing such beds remains uncertain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the characteristics and outcomes of critically ill patients with severe acute kidney injury (AKI) treated and not treated with renal replacement therapy (RRT). Methods: Secondary analysis of a multi-centre cohort study. Primary exposure was RRT. Primary outcome was propensity and multi-variable adjusted-hospital mortality. Results: We studied 1250 patients (71.3%) who received and 502 (28.7%) who did not receive RRT. Reasons for not starting RRT (not mutually exclusive) were limitations of support (33.6%, n=169), adequate urine output (46.2%; n=232), plan to observe (56.4%; n=283), and advanced age (12.6%; n=63). Mortality was higher in those not receiving RRT due to limitations and advanced age but lower for adequate urine output and plan to observe. Propensity and multi-variable adjusted analysis showed no statistical difference in hospital mortality (adj-OR 1.47; 95% CI, 0.93-2.24) in patients receiving RRT. Results were similar in a sensitivity analysis restricted to patients fulfilling risk, injury, failure, loss, end-stage kidney disease-FAILURE criteria (37.0%; n= 446) (adj-OR 1.36; 95% CI, 0.70-2.66). Conclusion: In this cohort, reasons for not starting RRT included limitations of support and perception of impending renal recovery. Despite similar risk of mortality after adjusting for selection bias and confounders, RRT-treated patients were fundamentally different from non-treated patients across a spectrum of variables that precludes valid comparison in observational data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: It is unclear if blood pressure targets for patients with shock should be adjusted to pre-morbid levels. We aimed to investigate mean deficit between the achieved mean perfusion pressure (MPP) in vasopressor-treated patients and their estimated basal (resting) MPP, and assess whether MPP deficit has any association with subsequent acute kidney injury (AKI). Materials and Methods: Fifty-one consecutive, non-trauma patients, aged ⩾40 years, with ⩾2 organ dysfunction and requiring vasopressor ⩾4 hours were observed at an academic intensive care unit. Mean MPP deficit [=%(basal MPP - achieved MPP)/basal MPP] and % time spent with >20% MPP deficit were assessed during initial 72 vasopressor hours (T0-T72) for each patient. Results: Achieved MPP was unrelated to basal MPP (P = .99). Mean MPP deficit was 18%(95%CI 15-21). Patients spent 48% (95% CI 39-57) time with >20% MPP deficit. Despite similar risk scores at T0, subsequent AKI (⩾2 RIFLE class increase from T0) occurred more frequently in patients with higher (Nmedian) MPP deficit compared to patients with lower MPP deficit (56% vs 28%; P = .045). Incidence of subsequent AKI was also higher among patients who spent greater % time with >20% MPP deficit (P = .04). Conclusions: Achieved blood pressure during vasopressor therapy had no relationship to the pre-morbid basal level. This resulted in significant and varying degree of relative hypotension (MPP deficit), which could be a modifiable risk factor for AKI in patients with shock. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Oxygen (O2) is the most common therapy in mechanically ventilated patients, but targets and dose are poorly understood. We aimed to describe current O2 administration and titration in such patients in an academic intensive care unit. Materials and Methods: In consecutive ventilated (>48 hours) patients we prospectively obtained fraction of inspired O2 (FIO2), pulse oximetry O2 saturation (SpO2) and arterial O2 tension (PaO2) every 6 hours. We calculated the amount of excess O2 delivery and the intensivists' response to hyperoxemia (SpO2 >98%). Results: During 358 mechanical ventilation days in 51 critically ill patients, median calculated excess O2 delivery was 3472 L per patient. Patients spent most of their time with their SpO2 >98% (59% [29- 83]) and PaO2 between 80 and 120 mm Hg (59% [38-72]). In addition, 50% of all observations showed hyperoxemia and 4% severe hyperoxemia (PaO2 >202.5 mm Hg). Moreover, 71% of the calculated total excess 263,841 L of O2 was delivered when the FIO2 was 0.3 to 0.5. When hyperoxemia occurred with an FIO2 between 0.3 and 0.4, for 88% of episodes, no FIO2 adjustments were made. Conclusions: Excess O2 delivery and liberal O2 therapy were common in mechanically ventilated patients. Current O2 therapy practice may be suboptimal and further investigations are warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the biochemical effects of Phoxilium (containing phosphate at 1.2 mmol/L; Gambro Lundia AB, Lund, Sweden) and Hemosol-B0 (Gambro Lundia AB) as dialysate and/or replacement fluid during continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). Methods: We examined serum biochemistry in critically ill patients for 42 hours of Phoxilium administration for the prevention of hypophosphatemia during CRRT and compared them with corresponding results in random historical controls who received Hemosol-B0. Results: We studied 15 patients in each arm (Phoxilium vs Hemosol-B0). Respective median ages were 57 (49-68) and 64 (57-67) years. Baseline patient illness severity scores, prescribed CRRT effluent rates, and cumulative phosphate intakes were comparable. After 36 to 42 hours of Phoxilium administration, serum phosphate levels increased from 0.95 (0.81-1.13) to 1.44 (1.23-1.78) mmol/L, in contrast to the decline from 1.71 (1.09-2.00) to 0.83 (0.55-1.59) mmol/L with Hemosol-B0 (P = .0001). Serum ionized calcium levels decreased from 1.27 (1.22-1.37) to 1.12 (1.06-1.21) mmol/L with Phoxilium, compared with an increase from 1.09 (0.90-1.19) to 1.20 (1.16-1.25) mmol/L with Hemosol-B0 (P b .0001). Serum bicarbonate, base excess levels, and effective strong ion difference decreased with Phoxilium and were lower than those with Hemosol-B0 at 36 to 42 hours (P b .05). Conclusion: Phoxilium effectively prevented hypophosphatemia during CRRT but was associated with relative metabolic acidosis and hypocalcemia compared with Hemosol-B0 use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the association of phosphate concentration with key clinical outcomes in a heterogeneous cohort of critically ill patients. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective observational study at a general intensive care unit (ICU) of an Australian university teaching hospital enrolling 2730 adult critically ill patients. Results: We studied 10 504 phosphate measurements with a mean value of 1.17 mmol/L (measurements every 28.8 hours on average). Hyperphosphatemia (inorganic phosphate [iP] concentration N 1.4 mmol/L) occurred in 45% and hypophosphatemia (iP . 0.6 mmol/L) in 20%. Among patients without any episodes of hyperphosphatemia, patients with at least 1 episode of hypophosphatemia had a higher ICU mortality than those without hypophosphatemia (P = .004). In addition, ICU nonsurvivors had lower minimum phosphate concentrations than did survivors (P = .009). Similar results were seen for hospital mortality. However, on multivariable logistic regression analysis, hypophosphatemia was not independently associated with ICU mortality (adjusted odds ratio, 0.86 [95% confidence interval, 0.66-1.10]; P = .24) and hospital mortality (odds ratio, 0.89 [0.73-1.07]; P = .21). Even when different cutoff points were used for hypophosphatemia (iP . 0.5, 0.4, 0.3, or 0.2 mmol/L), hypophosphatemia was not an independent risk factor for ICU and hospital morality. In addition, timing of onset and duration of hypophosphatemia were not independent risk factor for ICU and hospital mortality. Conclusions: Hypophosphatemia behaves like a general marker of illness severity and not as an independent predictor of ICU or in-hospital mortality in critically ill patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Determine whether there are unique patterns to the urine biochemistry profile in septic compared with non-septic acute kidney injury (AKI) and whether urinary biochemistry predicts worsening AKI, need for renal replacement therapy and mortality. Materials and Methods: Prospective cohort study of critically ill patients with septic and non-septic AKI, defined by the RIFLE (Risk, Injury, Failure, Loss, End-Stage) criteria. Urine biochemistry parameters were compared between septic and non-septic AKI and were correlated with neutrophil gelatinaseassociated lipocalin (NGAL), worsening AKI, renal replacement therapy (RRT), and mortality. Results: Eighty-three patients were enrolled, 43 (51.8%) with sepsis. RIFLE classwas not different between groups (P = .43). Urine sodium (UNa) b 20 mmol/L, fractional excretion of sodium (FeNa) b1%, and fractional excretion of urea (FeU) b 35% were observed in 25.3%, 57.8%, and 33.7%, respectively. Septic AKI had lower UNa compared with non-septic AKI (P = .04). There were no differences in FeNa or FeU between groups. Urine NGALwas higher for FeNa.1%compared to FeNab1%(177.4 ng/mL [31.9-956.5] vs 48.0 ng/mL [21.1-232.4], P = .04). FeNa showed low correlation with urine NGAL (P = .05) and plasma NGAL (P = .14). There was poor correlation between FeU and urine NGAL (P =.70) or plasmaNGAL (P = .41). UNa, FeNa, and FeU showed poor discrimination for worsening AKI, RRT and mortality. Conclusion: Urine biochemical profiles do not discriminate septic and non-septicAKI. UNa, FeNa, and FeU do not reliably predict biomarker release, worsening AKI, RRT ormortality. These data imply limited utility for these measures in clinical practice in critically ill patients with AKI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Monitoring of fluid balance (FB) can be achieved by subtracting recorded fluid output from input or by measuring changes in body weight (BW). The latter approach is difficult in the critically ill. Recently, hospital beds have become available with the ability to directly weigh patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) patients directly. We sought to compare FB estimates obtained by these 2 methods in a cohort of critically ill patients. Materials and Methods: Between November 2010 and May 2011, all patients admitted in our ICU for more than 2 consecutive days and nursed on a Hill-Rom (Batesville, Ind) Total Care bed were weighed daily at midnight hours. Fluids charting was done by electronic spreadsheet with automated 24 hours calculation. Differences in BW and FB between 2 consecutive days were compared using correlation and Bland-Altman analysis. Corrections for unmeasured fluids losses were performed using a predetermined formula based on peak temperature and intubation status. Results: We obtained complete data in 160 (31%) of 504 admissions exceeding 2 days (153 patients) resulting in 435 data points. The change in BW over 24 hours and FB for the same period was only weakly correlated before (r = 0.34; P < .001; Fig. 1) or after correction for insensible fluid losses (r = 0.34; P < .001). On Bland-Altman plot, the mean bias was small (0.07 kg), but the 95% limits of agreement, very large (-5.8 and 6.0 kg). The lack of agreement increased with the magnitude of the changes. Conclusion: Obtaining daily weights in ICU patients proved difficult. Compliance was poor. The correlation between changes in BWs and FB was weak. Further studies are required to establish if accurate and reproducible daily weighing of ICU patients is feasible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Purpose: It is controversial whether all critically ill patients with risk, injury, failure, loss, and end-stage renal failure (RIFLE) F class acute kidney injury (AKI) should receive renal replacement therapy (RRT). We reviewed the outcome of open heart surgery patients with severe RIFLE-F AKI who did not receive RRT. Materials and Methods: We identified all patients with AKI after cardiac surgery over 4 years and obtained baseline characteristics, intraoperative details, and in-hospital outcomes. We analyzed physiologic and biochemical features at RRT initiation or at peak creatinine if no RRT was provided. Results: We reviewed 1504 patients. Of these, 137 (9.1%) developed postoperative AKI with 71 meeting RIFLE-F criteria and 23 (32.4% of RIFLE-F cases) not receiving RRT. Compared with RRT-treated RIFLE-F patients, “no-RRT” patients had lower Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation III scores, less intra-aortic balloon pump requirements, shorter intensive care stay, and a trend toward lower mortality. At peak RIFLE score, their urinary output, arterial pH, and Pao 2/fraction of inspired oxygen ratio were all significantly higher. Their serum creatinine was also higher (304 vs 262 μmol/L; P = .02). Only 3 RIFLE-F no-RRT patients died in-hospital. Detailed review of cause and mode of death was consistent with non–RRT-preventable deaths. In contrast, 27 patients with RIFLE-R or RIFLE-I class received RRT. Compared with RRT-treated RIFLE-F patients, such RIFLE-R or RIFLE-I treated patients had a more severe presentation and higher mortality (51.8% vs 29.2%; P = .02). Conclusions: After cardiac surgery, RRT was typically applied to patients with the most severe clinical presentation irrespective of creatinine levels. A RIFLE score–based trigger for RRT is unlikely to improve patient survival. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Purpose: The purpose of the study was to determine the effects of Plasma-Lyte 148 (PL) vs 0.9% saline (NS) fluid resuscitation in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Methods: A multicenter retrospective analysis of adults admitted for DKA to the intensive care unit, who received almost exclusively PL or NS infusion up until 12 hours, was performed. Results: Nine patients with PL and 14 patients with NS were studied. Median serum bicarbonate correction was higher in the PL vs NS groups at 4 to 6 hours (8.4 vs 1.7 mEq/L) and 6 to 12 hours (12.8 vs 6.2 mEq/L) from baseline (P < .05). Median standard base excess improved by 10.5 vs 4.2 mEq/L at 4 to 6 hours and by 16.0 vs 9.1 mEq/L at 6 to 12 hours in the PL and NS groups, respectively (P < .05). Chloride levels increased significantly in the NS vs PL groups over 24 hours. Potassium levels were lower at 6 to 12 hours in the PL group. Mean arterial blood pressure was higher at 2 to 4 hours in the PL group, whereas cumulative urine output was lower at 4 to 6 hours in the NS group. There were no differences in glycemic control or duration of intensive care unit stay. Conclusion: Patients with DKA resuscitated with PL instead of NS had faster initial resolution of metabolic acidosis and less hyperchloremia, with a transiently improved blood pressure profile and urine output. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Purpose: To describe the characteristics and outcomes of patients receiving a medical emergency team (MET) review for the MET syndromes of respiratory distress or hypotension and to assess the effect of delayed MET activation on their outcomes. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 2 cohorts of 100 patients for each of the MET syndromes of respiratory distress and hypotension. We collected information on patient demographics, comorbidities, presence of sepsis, and patient outcome. We documented the presence and duration of delayed MET activation. Results: Patients with respiratory distress were more likely to be postoperative (40% vs 28%, P = .07), but less likely to have a history of congestive cardiac failure (12% vs 22%, P = .06). Sepsis was present in 58% of cases. The hospital mortality for MET calls due to respiratory distress and hypotension was 38% and 35%, respectively (P = .77). Delayed MET calls occurred in 50% of patients with the MET syndrome of respiratory distress and in 39% of those with hypotension (P = .11). The median duration of delay was 12 hours in patients with respiratory distress compared to 5 hours for patients with hypotension (P = .016). A delay in making a MET call was associated with an increase in mortality (odds ratio, 2.10; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-4.34; P = .045). Conclusions: Patients receiving MET calls for respiratory distress or hypotension were elderly and had a mortality greater than 35%. In many cases, MET activation was delayed. This delay was associated with increased mortality. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A response from the authors of the article "Hyperoxemia in critically mechanical ventilation patients: A factor yet to be fit for intensivists" is presented.

Background: Optimal cerebral oxygenation is considered fundamental to cerebral protection in cardiac arrest (CA) patients. Hypercapnia increases cerebral blood flow and may also improve cerebral oxygenation. It is uncertain, however, whether this effect occurs in mechanically ventilated early survivors of CA.Methods: We enrolled mechanically ventilated resuscitated patients within 36h of their cardiac arrest. We performed a prospective double cross-over physiological study comparing the impact of normocapnia (PaCO2 35-45mmHg) vs. mild hypercapnia (PaCO2 45-55mmHg) on regional cerebral tissue oxygen saturation (SctO2) assessed by near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS).Results: We studied seven adult CA patients with a median time to return of spontaneous circulation of 28min at a median of 26h and 30min after CA. During normocapnia (median EtCO2 of 32mmHg [30-41mmHg] and PaCO2 of 37mmHg [32-45mmHg]) the median NIRS-derived left frontal SctO2 was 61% [52-65%] and the right frontal SctO2 was 61% [54-68%]. However, during mild hypercapnia (median EtCO2 of 49mmHg [40-57mmHg] and PaCO2 of 52mmHg [43-55mmHg) the median left frontal SctO2 increased to 69% [59-78%] and the right frontal SctO2 increased to 73% [61-76%])(p=0.001, for all comparisons).Conclusion: During the early post-resuscitation period, in mechanically ventilated CA patients, mild hypercapnia increases cerebral oxygenation as assessed by NIRS. Further investigations of the effect of prolonged mild hypercapnia on cerebral oxygenation and patient outcomes appear justified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Arterial carbon dioxide tension (PaCO2) affects neuronal function and cerebral blood flow. However, its association with outcome in patients admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) after cardiac arrest (CA) has not been evaluated. Methods and results: Observational cohort study using data from the Australian New Zealand (ANZ) Intensive Care Society Adult-Patient-Database (ANZICS-APD). Outcomes analyses were adjusted for illness severity, co-morbidities, hypothermia, treatment limitations, age, year of admission, glucose, source of admission, PaO2 and propensity score. We studied 16,542 consecutive patients admitted to 125 ANZ ICUs after CA between 2000 and 2011. Using the APD-PaCO2 (obtained within 24h of ICU admission), 3010 (18.2%) were classified into the hypo- (PaCO2 <35mmHg), 6705 (40.5%) into the normo- (35–45mmHg) and 6827 (41.3%) into the hypercapnia (>45mmHg) group. The hypocapnia group, compared with the normocapnia group, had a trend toward higher in-hospital mortality (OR 1.12 [95% CI 1.00–1.24, p =0.04]), lower rate of discharge home (OR 0.81 [0.70–0.94, p <0.01]) and higher likelihood of fulfilling composite adverse outcome of death and no discharge home (OR 1.23 [1.10–1.37, p <0.001]). In contrast, the hypercapnia group had similar in-hospital mortality (OR 1.06 [0.97–1.15, p =0.19]) but higher rate of discharge home among survivors (OR 1.16 [1.03–1.32, p =0.01]) and similar likelihood of fulfilling the composite outcome (OR 0.97 [0.89–1.06, p =0.52]). Cox-proportional hazards modelling supported these findings. Conclusions: Hypo- and hypercapnia are common after ICU admission post-CA. Compared with normocapnia, hypocapnia was independently associated with worse clinical outcomes and hypercapnia a greater likelihood of discharge home among survivors. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Aim: Determine current resuscitation practices and outcomes in patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with sepsis and hypoperfusion or septic shock in Australia and New Zealand (ANZ). Methods: Three-month prospective, multi-centre, observational study of all adult patients with sepsis and hypoperfusion or septic shock in the ED of 32 ANZ tertiary-referral, metropolitan and rural hospitals. Results: 324 patients were enrolled (mean [SD] age 63.4 [19.2] years, APACHE II score 19.0 [8.2], 52.5% male). Pneumonia (n =138/324, 42.6%) and urinary tract infection (n =98/324, 30.2%) were the commonest sources of sepsis. Between ED presentation and 6hours post-enrolment (T6hrs), 44.4% (n =144/324) of patients received an intra-arterial catheter, 37% (n =120/324) a central venous catheter and 0% (n =0/324) a continuous central venous oxygen saturation (ScvO2) catheter. Between enrolment and T6hrs, 32.1% (n =104/324) received a vasopressor infusion, 7.4% (n =24/324) a red blood cell transfusion, 2.5% (n =8/324) a dobutamine infusion and 18.5% (n =60/324) invasive mechanical ventilation. Twenty patients (6.2%) were transferred from ED directly to the operating theatre, 36.4% (n =118/324) were admitted directly to ICU, 1.2% (n =4/324) died in the ED and 56.2% (n =182/324) were transferred to the hospital floor. Overall ICU admission rate was 52.4% (n =170/324). ICU and overall in-hospital mortality were 18.8% (n =32/170) and 23.1% (n =75/324) respectively. In-hospital mortality was not different between patients admitted to ICU (24.7%, n =42/170) and the hospital floor (21.4%, n =33/154). Conclusions: Management of ANZ patients presenting to ED with sepsis does not routinely include protocolised, ScvO2-directed resuscitation. In-hospital mortality compares favourably with reported mortality in international sepsis trials and nationwide surveys of resuscitation practices. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: Objective: To examine NFR orders in relation to adverse events and emergency team calls in hospitals with or without a Medical Emergency Team (MET) system during the MERIT study. Method: Within a cluster randomized controlled trial (the MERIT study), examining the effect of introducing a MET system, we recorded NFR orders in relation to adverse events and emergency team calls. We compared the proportion and rate of NFR orders issued in relation to “adverse events” and “adverse event-free emergency team calls” in hospitals with or without a MET system. Results: Information on NFR orders was available for 3650 patients who died, 1466 patients who had an unplanned ICU admission, 574 patients who suffered a cardiac arrest and 1529 patients who had a adverse event-free emergency team call. Close to 90% of deaths occurred in patients with a previously documented NFR order. Only approximately 4% of cardiac arrests had a previously documented NFR order. In patients with unplanned ICU admission, NFR orders were present in approximately 3% of cases. An NFR order was issued at the time of an “event” in 3.85% of cases in MET hospitals compared with 1.72% in control hospitals (OR=2.29; 95% CI: 1.31–4.01; p =0.005). This difference was mostly due to a greater proportion of patients being made NFR in MET hospitals at the time of a “adverse event-free” emergency team call (7.96% vs. 3.05%; OR=2.75; 95% CI: 0.97–7.80; p =0.048). The number of NFR orders issued at the time of a serious adverse event-free emergency team call was 10 times higher in MET hospitals (0.398 vs. 0.041 per 1000 admissions; weighted absolute risk difference: 0.49 (95% CI: 0.20–0.78; p =0.002). Multivariate models could only account for less than 50% of the variance in the issuing of NFR orders. Conclusions: In a cohort of Australian hospitals, most deaths occurred in patients with a previously documented NFR order but NFR orders were uncommon before cardiac arrest calls or unplanned ICU admissions. During the conduct of a cluster randomised controlled trial, more NFR orders were issued by emergency teams in those hospitals that implemented a MET system than in control hospitals. MET allocation, teaching hospital status, number of hospital beds and metropolitan location could only explain less than 50% of variance in NFR orders. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Aim: A new definition of sepsis released by an international task-force has introduced the concept of quick Sequential (Sepsis-Related) Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA). This study aimed to measure the proportion of patients who fulfilled qSOFA criteria during a Rapid Response Team (RRT) review and to assess their associated outcomes.Methods: We conducted a prospective study of adult RRT reviews over a one month period between 6th June and 10th July 2016 in a large tertiary hospital in Melbourne Australia RESULTS: Over a one-month period, there were 282 RRT reviews, 258 of which were included. One hundred out of 258 (38.8%) RRT review patients fulfilled qSOFA criteria. qSOFA positive patients were more likely to be admitted to the intensive care unit (29% vs 18%, P=0.04), to have repeat RRT reviews (27% vs 13%; p=0.007) and die in hospital (31% vs 10%, P<0.001). qSOFA positive patients with suspected infection were more likely to be admitted to the intensive care unit compared to patients with infection alone (37% vs 15%, P=0.002). Eleven of 42 patients (26%) who had infection and qSOFA died whilst in hospital, compared to 8/55 (15%) of patients with infection alone (P=0.2).Conclusion: Adult patients who are qSOFA positive at the time of their RRT review are at increased risk of in-hospital mortality. The assessment of qSOFA may be a useful triage tool during a RRT review. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & Aims Few studies have described the outcomes of patients with cirrhosis receiving intensive care unit (ICU) admission at a population level. We aimed to describe trends in the mortality of such patients in Australia and New Zealand (ANZ), and to investigate the relationship with associated organ failures. Methods We studied patients admitted to 172 ICUs on a non-elective basis, with and without cirrhosis between January 1st 2000 and December 31st 2015, as recorded by the ANZ Intensive Care Society Centre for Outcome and Resource Evaluation Adult Patient Database. We assessed severity of illness on admission using organ failure models and acute physiology scores. The primary outcome was hospital mortality. Results Patients with cirrhosis accounted for 17,044 of 776,873 non-elective ICU admissions (2.2%). Cirrhosis hospital mortality was 32.4% compared to 16.9% in the non-cirrhotic group ( p <0.0001). After adjustment for key confounders, cirrhosis had an independent effect on mortality with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.10 (1.06–1.15). There was no difference in the adjusted annual decline in mortality between patients with or without cirrhosis (OR 0.96 [0.95–0.97] vs. 0.96 [0.96–0.96], p = 0.67). No difference was seen in the adjusted decline in mortality of patients with cirrhosis when stratified by mechanical ventilation ( p = 0.92), liver transplant centre status ( p = 0.27) or presence of sepsis ( p = 0.09). Mortality increased with number of organ failures, however, the presence of cirrhosis was not found to affect this relationship ( p = 0.33). Conclusions The mortality of patients with cirrhosis admitted to ICU on a non-elective basis has declined significantly over time, comparable to patients without cirrhosis, and is predominantly governed by the number of organ failures. Outcomes are similar between non-liver transplant ICUs and liver transplant centres. Lay summary The outcomes of patients with liver cirrhosis admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) have been previously regarded as poor. We have demonstrated that in Australia and New Zealand, annual in-hospital death rates following ICU admission in this patient group are lower than previously reported, have improved over 16 years to 29% and are at a rate similar to patients without cirrhosis. Our data justify recommendations that advocate better access to intensive care for patients with cirrhosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Augmented renal clearance (ARC) is known to influence β-lactam antibiotic pharmacokinetics. This substudy of the BLING-II trial aimed to explore the association between ARC and patient outcomes in a large randomised clinical trial. BLING-II enrolled 432 participants with severe sepsis randomised to receive β-lactam therapy by continuous or intermittent infusion. An 8-h creatinine clearance (CL Cr ) measured on Day 1 was used to identify ARC, defined as CL Cr  ≥ 130 mL/min. Patients receiving any form of renal replacement therapy were excluded. Primary outcome was alive ICU-free days at Day 28. Secondary outcomes included 90-day mortality and clinical cure at 14 days following antibiotic cessation. A total of 254 patients were included, among which 45 (17.7%) manifested ARC [median (IQR) CL Cr 165 (144–198) mL/min]. ARC patients were younger ( P  <   0.001), more commonly male ( P  = 0.04) and had less organ dysfunction ( P  <   0.001). There was no difference in ICU-free days at Day 28 [ARC, 21 (12–24) days; no ARC, 21 (11–25) days; P  = 0.89], although clinical cure was significantly greater in the unadjusted analysis in those manifesting ARC [33/45 (73.3%) vs. 115/209 (55.0%) P  = 0.02]. This was attenuated in the multivariable analysis. No difference was noted in 90-day mortality. There were no statistically significant differences in clinical outcomes in ARC patients according to the dosing strategy employed. In this substudy of a large clinical trial of β-lactam antibiotics in severe sepsis, ARC was not associated with any differences in outcomes, regardless of dosing strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In mechanically ventilated (MV) cardiac arrest (CA) survivors admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) avoidance of hypoxia is considered crucial. However, avoidance of hyperoxia may also be important. A conservative approach to oxygen therapy may reduce exposure to both.Methods: We evaluated the introduction of conservative oxygen therapy (target SpO2 88-92% using the lowest FiO2) during MV for resuscitated CA patients admitted to the ICU.Results: We studied 912 arterial blood gas (ABG) datasets: 448 ABGs from 50 'conventional' and 464 ABGs from 50 'conservative' oxygen therapy patients. Compared to the conventional group, conservative group patients had significantly lower PaO2 values and FiO2 exposure (p<0.001, respectively); more received MV in a spontaneous ventilation mode (18% vs 2%; p=0.001) and more were exposed to a FiO2 of 0.21 (19 vs 0 patients, p=0.001). Additionally, according to mean PaO2, more conservative group patients were classified as normoxaemic (36 vs 16 patients, p<0.01) and fewer as hyperoxaemic (14 vs 33 patients, p<0.01). Finally, ICU length of stay was significantly shorter for conservative group patients (p=0.04). There was no difference in the proportion of survivors discharged from hospital with good neurological outcome (14/23 vs 12/22 patients, p=0.67).Conclusions: Our findings provide preliminary support for the feasibility and physiological safety of conservative oxygen therapy in patients admitted to ICU for MV support after cardiac arrest (Trial registration, NCT01684124). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]