News
Procalcitonin-Based Algorithm Does Not Reduce Antibiotic Use in the ICU
February 10, 2015
Clinical question Can a procalcitonin-based algorithm reduce antibiotic use in critically ill patients? Bottom line A procalcitonin-based algorithm using a 0.1 ng/mL cutoff does not significantly decrease the duration of antibiotic treatment in critically ill patients nor does it reduce length
News
Arterial Catheter Use in ICU Doesn’t Improve Hospital Mortality
February 2, 2015
Clinical question: Does the use of arterial catheters (AC) improve hospital mortality in ICU patients requiring mechanical ventilation? Background: AC are used in 40% of ICU patients, mostly to facilitate diagnostic phlebotomy (including arterial blood gases) and improve hemodynamic monitoring.
News
ICU Pressures Improve Transfers to the Floor
October 27, 2014
Clinical question: Does ICU strain negatively affect the outcomes of patients transferred to the floor? Background: With healthcare costs increasing and critical care staff shortages projected, ICUs will have to operate under increasing strain.
News
Decreased ICU Duty Hours Does Not Affect Patient Mortality
October 27, 2014
Clinical question: Does the reduction in work hours for residents affect mortality in medical and surgical ICUs? Background: A reduction in work hours for residents was enforced in July 2003.
News
Tight Glycemic Control Leads to More Hypoglycemia in the Pediatric ICU Population
March 20, 2014
Does tight control of hyperglycemia improve outcomes in the pediatric intensive care unit?
News
ICU Pressure Improves Patient Transfers to the Hospital Floor
March 19, 2014
Rising costs, projected shortages in critical care staff have prompted physicians to use ICU services more efficiently: study
News
No Short-term Mortality Benefit with Use of Colloids over Crystalloids for Fluid Resuscitation in the ICU (CRISTAL)
January 17, 2014
As compared with crystalloid therapy, does the use of colloid solutions for fluid resuscitation in the intensive care unit improve mortality in critically ill patients with hypovolemic shock?
News
Fewer Catheter-Related Complications with Central Access in ICU Patients
December 20, 2013
What type of venous access -- central or peripheral -- is better for patients in the intensive care unit who have no absolute indication for central access?
News
Intravenous Haloperidol Does Not Prevent ICU Delirium
December 5, 2013
Research suggests physicians avoid using scheduled antipsychotics to reduce ICU delirium in critically ill inpatients
News
Reviews of Research on Haloperidol and ICU Delirium, Proton Pump Inhibitors, Thrombolytics and Stroke
December 2, 2013
Also reviewed this month: hospital-acquired anemia, prothrombin complex concentrate and fresh frozen plasma, surgical site infections, colchine and NSAIDs for acute pericarditis