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One in three patients admitted to intensive care will sustain a pressure injury (PI) from a medical device. These injuries are painful and when on the face, head or neck they can result in permanent disfigurement. Preliminary evidence of the efficacy of hyper-oxygenated fatty acids (HOFAs) to prevent facial pressure injuries from medical devices is promising; however, the feasibility of incorporating HOFAs into current standard care to prevent PI from a medical device of the face, head and neck has not been extensively explored. It is intended that the findings from this phase II feasibility study will inform the design of a larger phase III trial, by addressing two primary aims: (1) to assess the feasibility of incorporating HOFAs into standard care to prevent device-related pressure ulcers of the skin associated with the face, head and neck assess the feasibility and (2) efficacy preliminary effectiveness of HOFA. This feasibility study is an investigator-initiated mixed method study incorporating a multi-centre randomised controlled trial of using HOFAs as an adjunct to standard pressure injury prevention and care, compared with standard care alone to prevent facial, head or neck from medical devices among adults admitted to intensive care. The primary outcome of interest is the incidence of facial, head or neck pressure injuries during the first 14 days in intensive care. Secondary outcomes include PI staging, medical device exposure and intensive care and hospital outcomes. The primary analysis will be undertaken using Cox's Proportional Hazards model, and due to the exploratory nature of this phase II trial, efficacy will be based on a one-sided p-value for superiority set at 0.10. Type I and Type II error rates are set at 20%; therefore, a total sample size of 196 study participants is planned. To explore the feasibility of incorporating HOFA into usual care and to design a larger phase III trial, we will aim to interview between 10 and 20 nurses across parti

Background: Malpositioned central venous access devices (CVADs) can lead to significant patient injury including central vein thrombosis and dysrhythmias. Intra-cavitary electrocardiography (IC ECG) has been recommended by peak professional bodies as an accurate alternative for bedside CVAD insertion, to reduce risk of malposition and allowing immediate use of the device. Our objective was to compare the effect of IC ECG on CVAD malposition compared to traditional institutional practice for CVAD placement. Methods: Randomised controlled trial of IC ECG CVAD insertion verses traditional CVAD insertion (surface landmark measurement with post insertion x ray). Patient recruitment was from December 2016 to July 2018. The setting was a 900-bed tertiary referral hospital based in South Western Sydney, Australia. Three hundred and forty-four adult patients requiring CVAD insertion for intravenous therapy, were enrolled and randomly allocated (1:1 ratio) to either IC-ECG (n = 172) or traditional (n = 172) CVAD insertion. Our primary outcome of interest was the rate of catheters not requiring repositioning after insertion (ready for use). Secondary outcomes were comparison of procedure time and cost. Results: Of the 172 patients allocated to the IC ECG method, 170 (99%) were ready for use immediately compared to 139 of the 172 (81%) in the traditional insertion group (difference, 95% confidence interval (CI): 18%, 11.9–24.1%). The total procedure time was mean 15 min (SD 8 min) for IC ECG and mean 36 min (SD 17 min) for traditional CVAD insertion (difference–19.9 min (95% CI–14.6 to −34.4). IC ECG guided CVAD insertion had a cost reduction of AUD $62.00 per procedure. Conclusions: Using IC-ECG resulted in nearly no requirement for post-insertion repositioning of CVADs resulting in savings in time and cost and virtually eliminating the need for radiographic confirmation. Trial registration: This trial is registered at the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (http

Background: Clinical frailty among older adults admitted to intensive care has been proposed as an important determinant of patient outcomes. Among this group of patients, an acute episode of delirium is also common, but its relationship to frailty and increased risk of mortality has not been extensively explored. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the relationship between clinical frailty, delirium and hospital mortality of older adults admitted to intensive care. Methods: This study is part of a Delirium in Intensive Care (Deli) Study. During the initial 6-month baseline period, clinical frailty status on admission to intensive care, among adults aged 50 years or more; acute episodes of delirium; and the outcomes of intensive care and hospital stay were explored. Results: During the 6-month baseline period, 997 patients, aged 50 years or more, were included in this study. The average age was 71 years (IQR, 63–79); 55% were male (n = 537). Among these patients, 39.2% (95% CI 36.1–42.3%, n = 396) had a Clinical Frailty Score (CFS) of 5 or more, and 13.0% (n = 127) had at least one acute episode of delirium. Frail patients were at greater risk of an episode of delirium (17% versus 10%, adjusted rate ratio (adjRR) = 1.71, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.20–2.43, p = 0.003), had a longer hospital stay (2.6 days, 95% CI 1–7 days, p = 0.009) and had a higher risk of hospital mortality (19% versus 7%, adjRR = 2.54, 95% CI 1.72–3.75, p < 0.001), when compared to non-frail patients. Patients who were frail and experienced an acute episode of delirium in the intensive care had a 35% rate of hospital mortality versus 10% among non-frail patients who also experienced delirium in the ICU. Conclusion: Frailty and delirium significantly increase the risk of hospital mortality. Therefore, it is important to identify patients who are frail and institute measures to reduce the risk of adverse events in the ICU such as delirium and, importantly, to discuss these issues in

© 2018 The Author(s). Background: Health care associated infections (HAI) among adults admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) have been shown to increase length of stay, the cost of care, and in some cases increased the risk of hospital death (Kaye et al., J Am Geriatr Soc 62:306-11, 2014; Roberts et al., Med Care 48:1026-35, 2010; Warren et al., Crit Care Med 34:2084-9, 2006; Zimlichman et al., JAMA Intern Med 173:2039-46, 2013). Daily bathing with chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) has been shown to decrease the risk of infection in the ICU (Loveday et al., J Hosp Infect 86:S1-S70, 2014). However, due to varying quality of published studies, and varying estimates of effectiveness, CHG bathing is not universally practiced. As a result, current opinion of the merit of CHG bathing to reduce hospital acquired infections in the ICU, is divergent, suggesting a state of 'clinical equipoise'. This trial sequential meta-analysis aims to explore the current status of evidence for the effectiveness of chlorhexidine (CHG) bathing, in adult intensive care patients, to reduce hospital acquired infections, and address the question: do we need more trials? Methods: A systematic literature search was undertaken to identify trials assessing the effectiveness of chlorhexidine bathing to reduce risk of infection, among adult intensive care patients. With particular focus on: (1) Blood stream infections (BSI); (2) Central Line Associated Blood Stream Infections (CLABSI); (3) Multi-Resistant Drug Organism (MRDO); (4) Ventilator Associated Pneumonia; and, Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infections (CAUTI). Only randomised-control or cluster randomised cross-over trials, were include in our analysis. A Trial Sequential Analysis (TSA) was used to describe the current status of evidence for the effectiveness of chlorhexidine (CHG) bathing, in adult intensive care patients, to reduce hospital acquired infections. Results: Five trials were included in our final analysis - two trials were ind

Background: Many patients are admitted to hospital with non-visible or palpable veins, often resulting in multiple painful attempts at cannulation, anxiety and catheter failure. We developed a difficult intravenous pathway at our institution to reduce the burden of difficult access for patients by increasing first attempt success with ultrasound guidance. The emphasis was to provide a solution for hospitalised patients after business hours by training the after-hours clinical support team in ultrasound guided cannulation. Methods: Inception cohort study of patients referred to the after-hours clinical support team including outcomes such as number of attempts at cannulation before and after referral, insertion site, type of device inserted and recorded pain score for attempts prior to referral and for attempts by the after-hours clinical support team. Results: Between January and December 2016, 379 patients were referred to the after-hours clinical support team for placement of a peripheral intravenous catheter under ultrasound guidance. The median number of unsuccessful attempts before referral was 2 (IQR 2, 4), this ranged between 1 attempt to 10 attempts compared to only 1 attempt (IQR 1, 1, p<0.001) with no more than 2 attempts in total by the after-hours clinical support team. The first time success rate by the after-hours clinical support team was 93% (n=348). The median pain score for attempts with ultrasound use was 2/10 (IQR 1-3) compared to 7/10 (IQR 5-9) for previous attempts without ultrasound (p<0.001). Conclusion: The use of ultrasound guidance for peripheral intravenous catheter insertion by the after-hours clinical support team for patients with difficult venous access has been successful at our institution with 9 out of every 10 catheters inserted at first attempt with significantly lower recorded pain scores.

Introduction Around 30% of peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) fail from vascular, infectious or mechanical complications. Patients with cancer are at highest risk, and this increases morbidity, mortality and costs. Effective PICC dressing and securement may prevent PICC failure; however, no large randomised controlled trial (RCT) has compared alternative approaches. We designed this RCT to assess the clinical and cost-effectiveness of dressing and securements to prevent PICC failure. Methods and analysis Pragmatic, multicentre, 2×2 factorial, superiority RCT of (1) dressings (chlorhexidine gluconate disc (CHG) vs no disc) and (2) securements (integrated securement dressing (ISD) vs securement device (SED)). A qualitative evaluation using a knowledge translation framework is included. Recruitment of 1240 patients will occur over 3 years with allocation concealment until randomisation by a centralised service. For the dressing hypothesis, we hypothesise CHG discs will reduce catheter-associated bloodstream infection (CABSI) compared with no CHG disc. For the securement hypothesis, we hypothesise that ISD will reduce composite PICC failure (infection (CABSI/local infection), occlusion, dislodgement or thrombosis), compared with SED. Secondary outcomes: types of PICC failure; safety; costs; dressing/securement failure; dwell time; microbial colonisation; reversible PICC complications and consumer acceptability. Relative incidence rates of CABSI and PICC failure/100 devices and/1000 PICC days (with 95% CIs) will summarise treatment impact. Kaplan-Meier survival curves (and log rank Mantel-Haenszel test) will compare outcomes over time. Secondary end points will be compared between groups using parametric/non-parametric techniques; p values <0.05 will be considered to be statistically significant. Ethics and dissemination Ethical approval from Queensland Health (HREC/15/QRCH/241) and Griffith University (Ref. No. 2016/063). Results will be published. Trial re

Background Health care-associated infections (HAI) have been shown to increase length of stay, the cost of care, and rates of hospital deaths (Kaye and Marchaim, J Am Geriatr Soc 62(2):306–11, 2014; Roberts and Scott, Med Care 48(11):1026–35, 2010; Warren and Quadir, Crit Care Med 34(8):2084–9, 2006; Zimlichman and Henderson, JAMA Intern Med 173(22):2039–46, 2013). Importantly, infections acquired during a hospital stay have been shown to be preventable (Loveday and Wilson, J Hosp Infect 86:S1–70, 2014). In particular, due to more invasive procedures, mechanical ventilation, and critical illness, patients cared for in the intensive care unit (ICU) are at greater risk of HAI and associated poor outcomes. This meta-analysis aims to summarise the effectiveness of chlorhexidine (CHG) bathing, in adult intensive care patients, to reduce infection. Methods A systematic literature search was undertaken to identify trials assessing the effectiveness of CHG bathing to reduce risk of infection, among adult intensive care patients. Infections included were: bloodstream infections; central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI); catheter-associated urinary tract infections; ventilator-associated pneumonia; methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA); vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus; and Clostridium difficile. Summary estimates were calculated as incidence rate ratios (IRRs) and 95% confidence/credible intervals. Variation in study designs was addressed using hierarchical Bayesian random-effects models. Results Seventeen trials were included in our final analysis: seven of the studies were cluster-randomised crossover trials, and the remaining studies were before-and-after trials. CHG bathing was estimated to reduce the risk of CLABSI by 56% (Bayesian random effects IRR = 0.44 (95% credible interval (CrI), 0.26, 0.75)), and MRSA colonisation and bacteraemia in the ICU by 41% and 36%, respectively (IRR = 0.59 (95% CrI, 0.36, 0.94); and IRR = 0.64 (95% CrI, 0.43

Aims: We investigated the opinion of clinical experts and researchers involved in chronic heart failure disease management regarding the ranking of patient, provider and system factors that predict the risk of rehospitalisation. Methods: Item generation for the online survey was informed by a literature review and current risk prediction models. Consultation with experts was undertaken via a secure online survey platform. Invitations to participate in the 10 question online survey were sent through Listserves of professional nursing and medical associations within Australia and New Zealand. Results: Data were collected in August 2011. A total of 119 respondents completed the survey. Respondents ranged from researchers, registered nurses, cardiologists and allied health personnel. A mean importance score was used to rank risk factors for rehospitalisation. Risk factors that scored high for predicting the risk for rehospitalisation included poor adherence to medications (9.04) and prior hospitalisation for heart failure (8.33). Having private health insurance (4.8) and being female (4.9) scored lower in influencing rehospitalisation for adults with heart failure. Conclusions: No new risk factors were identified from the experts in predicting the risk of rehospitalisation. The survey results will contribute to the development of a nomogram to convey prognostic information related to adults with heart failure that will guide clinicians in management decisions. © 2012 Australian and New Zealand Society of Cardiac and Thoracic Surgeons (ANZSCTS) and the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand (CSANZ).

Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) and Ciliary Neurotrophic factor (CNTF) are members of the interleukin-6 family of cytokines, defined by use of the gp130 molecule as an obligate receptor. In the murine experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model, antagonism of LIF and genetic deletion of CNTF worsen disease. The potential mechanism of action of these cytokines in EAE is complex, as gp130 is expressed by all neural cells, and could involve immuno-modulation, reduction of oligodendrocyte injury, neuronal protection, or a combination of these actions. In this study we aim to investigate whether the beneficial effects of CNTF/LIF signalling in EAE are associated with axonal protection; and whether this requires signalling through oligodendrocytes. We induced MOG₃₅₋₅₅ EAE in CNTF, LIF and double knockout mice. On a CNTF null background, LIF knockout was associated with increased EAE severity (EAE grade 2.1±0.14 vs 2.6±0.19; P<0.05). These mice also showed increased axonal damage relative to LIF heterozygous mice, as indicated by decreased optic nerve parallel diffusivity on MRI (1540±207 µm²-/s vs 1310±175 µm²-/s; P<0.05), and optic nerve (-12.5%) and spinal cord (-16%) axon densities; and increased serum neurofilament-H levels (2.5 fold increase). No differences in inflammatory cell numbers or peripheral auto-immune T-cell priming were evident. Oligodendrocyte-targeted gp130 knockout mice showed that disruption of CNTF/LIF signalling in these cells has no effect on acute EAE severity. These studies demonstrate that endogenous CNTF and LIF act centrally to protect axons from acute inflammatory destruction via an oligodendrocyte-independent mechanism.

Background: Nurse-led central venous catheter placement is an emerging clinical role internationally. Procedural characteristics and clinical outcomes is an important consideration in appraisal of such advanced nursing roles. Objectives: To review characteristics and outcomes of three nurse-led central venous catheter insertion services based in intensive care units in New South Wales, Australia. Design: Using data from the Central Line Associated Bacteraemia project in New South Wales intensive care units. Descriptive statistical techniques were used to ascertain comparison rates and proportions. Participants: De-identified outcome data of patients who had a central venous catheter inserted as part of their therapy by one of the four advanced practice nurses working in three separate hospitals in New South Wales. Results: Between March 2007 and June 2009, 760 vascular access devices were placed by the three nurse-led central venous catheter placement services. Hospital A inserted 520 catheters; Hospital C with 164; and Hospital B with 76. Over the study period, insertion outcomes were favourable with only 1 pneumothorax (1%), 1 arterial puncture (1%) and 1 CLAB (1%) being recorded across the three groups. The CLAB rate was lower in comparison to the aggregated CLAB data set [1.3 per 1000 catheters (95% CI. = 0.03-7.3) vs. 7.2 per 1000 catheters (95% CI = 5.9-8.7)]. Conclusion: This study has demonstrated safe patient outcomes with nurse led CVC insertion as compared with published data. Nurses who are formally trained and credentialed to insert CVCs can improve organisational efficiencies. This study adds to emerging data that developing clinical roles that focus on skills, procedural volume and competency can be a viable option in health care facilities. © 2011.

Female-controlled contraception/HIV prevention is critical to address health issues associated with gender inequality. Therefore, a contraceptive which can be administered in tandem with a microbicide to inhibit sexually transmitted infections, is desirable. Uterine leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is obligatory for blastocyst implantation in mice and associated with infertility in women. We aimed to determine whether a PEGylated LIF inhibitor (PEGLA) was an effective contraceptive following vaginal delivery and to identify non-uterine targets of PEGLA in mice.Vaginally-applied (125)I-PEGLA accumulated in blood more slowly (30 min vs 10 min) and showed reduced tissue and blood retention (24 h vs 96 h) compared to intraperitoneal injection in mice. Vaginally-applied PEGLA blocked implantation. PEGLA administered by intraperitoneal injection inhibited bone remodelling whereas vaginally-applied PEGLA had no effect on bone. Further, PEGLA had no effect in an animal model of multiple sclerosis, experimental auto-immune encephalomyelitis, suggesting PEGLA cannot target the central nervous system.Vaginally-administered PEGLA is a promising non-hormonal contraceptive, one which could be delivered alone, or in tandem with a microbicide. Vaginal application reduced the total dose of PEGLA required to block implantation and eliminated the systemic effect on bone, showing the vagina is a promising site of administration for larger drugs which target organs within the reproductive tract.

BACKGROUND: Readmission to intensive care during the same hospital stay has been associated with a greater risk of in-hospital mortality and has been suggested as a marker of quality of care. There is lack of published research attempting to develop clinical prediction tools that individualise the risk of readmission to the intensive care unit during the same hospital stay. OBJECTIVE: To develop a prediction model using an inception cohort of patients surviving an initial ICU stay. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: The study was conducted at Liverpool Hospital, Sydney. An inception cohort of 14 952 patients aged 15 years or more surviving an initial ICU stay and transferred to general wards in the study hospital between 1 January 1997 and 31 December 2007 was used to develop the model. Binary logistic regression was used to develop the prediction model and a nomogram was derived to individualise the risk of readmission to the ICU during the same hospital stay. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Readmission to the ICU during the same hospital stay. RESULTS: Among members of the study cohort there were 987 readmissions to ICU during the study period. Compared with patients not readmitted to the ICU, patients who were readmitted were more likely to have had ICU stays of at least 7 days (odds ratio [OR], 2.2 [95% CI, 1.85- 2.56]); non-elective initial admission to the ICU (OR, 1.7 [95% CI, 1.44-2.08]); and acute renal failure (OR, 1.6 [95% CI, 0.97-2.47]). Patients admitted to the ICU from the operating theatre or recovery ward had a lower risk of readmission to ICU than those admitted from general wards, the emergency department or other hospitals. The maximum error between observed frequencies and predicted probabilities of readmission to ICU was estimated to be 3%. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the final model was 0.66. CONCLUSION: We have developed a practical clinical tool to individualise the risk of readmission to the ICU during the same hospit

Background: Health care systems promote care models that deliver both safety and quality. Nurse-led vascular access teams show promise as a model to achieve hospital efficiencies and improve patient outcomes. Objectives: The aim of this paper is to discuss the process of establishing a nurse-led central venous catheter (CVC) insertion service in a university affiliated hospital using a process evaluation method. Method: Archival information, including reports, communications and minutes of departmental meetings were re-viewed. Key stakeholders involved in establishing this nurse-led service at the time were interviewed. Results: A nurse-led CVC insertion service was first established in 1996 and has increased in service provision over 13 years. Initially there was scepticism from some medical practitioners about the feasibility of a nurse performing a traditional medical procedure. The service currently provides central venous access across the hospital including critical care areas. The service places up to 500 catheters per annum. Conclusions: Establishing a nurse-led CVC insertion service has increased organizational efficiencies and provided an infrastructure for support of best practice. The support of senior management and medical practitioners was crucial to the successful implementation of this model of care.

OBJECTIVE: To compare clinical outcomes of elective central venous catheter (CVC) insertions performed by either a clinical nurse consultant (CNC) or anaesthetic medical staff (AMS). DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Prospective audit of a convenience sample of consecutive CVC insertions between July 2005 and October 2007 at a metropolitan teaching hospital in Sydney, Australia. The sample included all outpatients and inpatients requiring a CVC for either acute or chronic conditions. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Number of CVC lines inserted; differences between outcomes in the CNC and AMS groups; complications during and after insertion. RESULTS: Over a 28-month period, 245 CVCs were inserted by AMS and 123 by the CNC. The most common indications for CVC placement in both groups were for the treatment of oncology and autoimmune disorders (61%) and for antibiotic therapy (27%). Other indications were parenteral nutrition (2%) and other therapies (10%). There was no significant difference in complications on insertion between the CNC and AMS groups. AMS failed to obtain access in 12 attempted procedures compared with eight by the CNC. The rate of CVCs investigated for infection was twice as high in the AMS group as in the CNC group (19% v 8%). The confirmed catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) rate was 2.5/1000 catheters in the AMS group and 0.4/1000 catheters in the CNC group (P = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Insertion outcomes were favourable in both the AMS and CNC groups. Infection outcomes differed between groups, with a higher rate of CRBSI in the AMS group.