Average Length Of Intensive Care Unit Research Articles

Serum Magnesium Levels in Patients Admitted with Septic Shock and Their Correlation with Outcome

Objective: To evaluate the initial serum magnesium levels of critically ill septic shock patients upon admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) and correlate these levels with the patients' requirements and outcomes, including ventilator support, length of stay in the ICU, occurrence of cardiac arrhythmias, and mortality rates.Methods: This was an observational study involving 60 patients who were admitted to the medical Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for septic shock. Serum magnesium levels were measured upon admission to the ICU. A comparison was made between patients with normal and abnormal magnesium levels at the time of admission to evaluate the need for vasopressor support, the average duration of assisted ventilation and dialysis, the incidence of arrhythmia, the average length of ICU stay, and mortality rates.Results: Out of the 60 cases studied, there were 42 males (70.00%) and 18 females (30.00%), resulting in a M:F ratio of 1:0.42. The mean age of both male and female patients was found to be comparable. The need for assisted ventilation and renal replacement therapy was found to be comparable in patients with normal and abnormal serum magnesium levels. The number of days for which assisted ventilation was required, the incidence of arrhythmia, the mean duration of ICU and hospital stay, and mortality were significantly higher in patients with abnormal magnesium levels at the time of ICU admission (P<0.05).Conclusion: Abnormal serum magnesium levels are associated with increased morbidity and mortality in critically ill septic shock patients admitted to the ICU.

Retrospective Analysis of Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Pregnant Women with SARS-CoV-2 Infections Admitted to Intensive Care Units in India (Preg-CoV): A Multicenter Study.

The aim was to examine the outcomes of pregnant women admitted to intensive care unit with coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) infection during the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic in India. The primary outcome of the study was maternal mortality at day 30. The secondary outcomes were the intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital length of stay, fetal mortality and preterm delivery. This was a retrospective multicentric cohort study. Ethical clearance was obtained. All pregnant women of the 15-45-year age admitted to ICUs with SARS-CoV-2 infection during 1st March 2020 to 31st October, 2021 were included. Data were collected from nine centers and for 211 obstetric patients admitted to the ICU with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19. They were divided in to two groups as per their SpO2 (saturation of peripheral oxygen) level at admission on room air, that is, normal SpO2 group (SpO2 > 90%) and low SpO2 group (SpO2 < 90%). The mean age was (30.06 ± 4.25) years and the gestational age was 36 ± 8 weeks. The maternal mortality rate was10.53%. The rate of fetal death and preterm delivery was 7.17 and 28.22%, respectively. The average ICU and hospital length of stay (LOS) were 6.35 ± 8.56 and 6.78 ± 6.04 days, respectively. The maternal mortality (6.21 vs 43.48%, p < 0.001), preterm delivery (26.55 vs 52.17%, p = 0.011) and fetal death (5.08 vs 26.09%, p = 0.003) were significantly higher in the low SpO2 group. The overall maternal mortality among critically ill pregnant women affected with COVID-19 infection was 10.53%. The rate of preterm birth and fetal death were 28.22 and 7.17%, respectively. These adverse maternal and fetal outcomes were significantly higher in those admitted with low SpO2 (<90%) at admission compared with those with normal SpO2. Sinha S, Paul G, Shah BA, Karmata T, Paliwal N, Dobariya J, et al. Retrospective Analysis of Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Pregnant Women with SARS-CoV-2 Infections Admitted to Intensive Care Units in India (Preg-CoV): A Multicenter Study. Indian J Crit Care Med 2024;28(3):265-272.

Perforated peptic ulcer disease in transferred patients is associated with significant increase in length of stay.

Perforated peptic ulcer disease (PPUD) has a prevalence of 0.004-0.014% with mortality of 23.5% (Tarasconi et al. in World J Emerg Surg 15(PG-3):3, 2020). In this single center study, we examined the impact associated with patient transfer from outside facilities to our center for definitive surgical intervention (exploratory laparotomy). Using EPIC report workbench, we identified 27 patients between 2018 and 2021 undergoing exploratory laparotomy with a concurrent diagnosis of peptic ulcer disease, nine of which were transferred to our institution for care. We queried this population for markers of disease severity including mortality, length of stay, intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay, and readmission rates. Manual chart reviews were performed to examine these outcomes in more detail and identify patients who had been transferred to our facility for surgery from an outside hospital. A total of 27 patients were identified undergoing exploratory laparotomy for definitive treatment of PPUD. The majority of patients queried underwent level A operations, the most urgent level of activation. In our institution, a Level A operation needs to go to the operating room within one hour of arrival to the hospital. Average mortality for this patient population was 14.8%. The readmission rate was 40.1%, and average length of ICU stay post-operatively was 16days, with 83% of non-transfer patients requiring ICU admission and 100% of transfer patients requiring ICU admission, although this was not found to be statistically significant. Average length of hospital stay was 27days overall. For non-transfer patients and transfer patients, LOS was 20days and 41days, respectively, which was statistically significant by one-sided t-test (p = 0.05). Patients transferred for definitive care of PPUD in a population otherwise notable for high mortality and high readmission rates: their average length of stay compared to non-transfer patients was over twice the length, which was statistically significant. Transferred patients also had higher rates of ICU care requirement although this was not statistically significant. Further inquiry to identify modifiable variables to facilitate the care of transferred patients is warranted, especially in the context of improving quality metrics known to enhance patient outcomes, satisfaction, and value.

Is reversal of anticoagulants necessary in neurologically intact traumatic intracranial hemorrhage?

Falls are the leading cause of injury in older individuals, with intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) being a common complication. Anticoagulants, such as vitamin K antagonist and direct oral anticoagulants, are increasingly utilized, and clinicians may question the necessity of reversal in patients with minor ICH, especially in the setting of increased risk of adverse events. This study aimed to identify a population of patients with minor traumatic ICH at low risk for poor-neurologic status where anticoagulant reversal may not improve outcomes. This retrospective cohort study utilized data accessed from 35 trauma centers from 2018 to 2021. Patients included had a preinjury anticoagulant regimen, ICH due to blunt trauma, Glasgow Coma Scale score of 15, an Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) head score from 2 to 4, and an AIS of ≤1 for non-head regions within 24 h of hospital arrival. Patients were excluded if they required an emergent neurosurgical procedure or were on a preinjury purinergic-P2 receptor-12 protein (P2Y12) inhibitor. The primary outcome was the rate of in-hospital mortality or hospice. There were 654 patients on preinjury anticoagulation who were included with a minor traumatic ICH without neurologic deficits. Overall, 263 patients were reversed and 391 were not reversed. Twelve (4.6%) patients with in-hospital mortality or hospice were reversed compared with 19 (4.91%) patients who were not reversed (p = 0.861). A composite of hospital complications occurred in 21 (8%) reversed patients and 34 (8.7%) not reversed patients (p = 0.748). The average intensive care unit length of stay was 1.4 ± 3.4 days in the reversed group and 1.1 ± 1.8 days in the not reversed group (p = 0.069). This study found no difference in hospital outcomes between patients with minor traumatic ICH on oral anticoagulants who were neurologically intact that were reversed versus those who were not reversed. Further studies should continue to define the subset of traumatic ICH patients who may not require reversal of anticoagulation.

Total arterial revascularization using robot assisted minimally invasive coronary artery bypass: an Indian experience.

The aim of this study is to analyze the early outcomes of Total Arterial Revascularization using Robot Assisted Minimally Invasive Coronary Artery Bypass at our center between June 2019 and January 2023. This is a retrospective analysis of 195 patients who underwent Total Arterial Coronary Revascularization through Robot Assisted Minimally Invasive Coronary Artery Bypass procedure (RA-CABG) during the period of June 2019 and January 2023 in a quaternary care center in India. Primary outcome variables were in-hospital and 30-day mortality. Secondary outcome variables included duration of surgery, length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay, in-hospital stay and perioperative morbidity. The entire patient population was divided into two groups for a subgroup analysis based on when the surgery was conducted i.e. the years since the robotic program was begun at our institution with 81 patients in group I (2019-2021), and 114 patients in group II (2022-2023). 195 patients [88.7% male, mean age of 61.34 ± 9.58years] underwent RA-CABG during the 5-year period (2019-2023) by a single experienced surgeon and his team. Conversion to larger thoracic incisions was required in 5 cases (2.59%). In-hospital and 30-day mortality was 1.02% each. The average length of ICU stay and hospital stay were 2.82 ± 1.17days and 5.84 ± 1.71days respectively. The duration of ICU stay correlated with the number of internal mammary artery grafts procured (p = 0.0022). Median duration of follow-up was 11months. Overall mortality was 3.62% and cardiac related mortality was 2.07%, and 5 patients (2.59%) underwent percutaneous coronary intervention. Results of the sub-group analysis revealed a statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of number of internal mammary artery grafts procured (p = 0.010), need for transfusions (p = 0.00031), ICU stay (p = 0.0005) and in-hospital stay (p = 0.0006). Total Arterial Coronary Revascularization through RA-CABG is a viable procedure in select patients. An experienced surgeon and team are required. Further studies in the form of randomized trials with long term follow-up are required to establish the overall utility, effectiveness and benefits to the patients.

Outcomes of patients with haematological malignancies and febrile neutropenia at the Universitas Academic Hospital multidisciplinary intensive care unit, Free State Province, South Africa.

Mortality rates in patients with haematological malignancies who required intensive care unit (ICU) admission have in the past been high. More recently, however, improved outcomes for critically ill haematological patients have been reported. To determine outcomes, average length of ICU stay, and factors associated with mortality in patients with haematological malignancies and neutropenic fever in the multidisciplinary ICU (MICU) at Universitas Academic Hospital (UAH), Bloemfontein, Free State Province, South Africa. We conducted a retrospective review of medical and laboratory records of all patients admitted to the UAH MICU with haematological malignancies and febrile neutropenia between 2010 and 2019. A total of 182 patients with haematological malignancies were admitted to the MICU between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2019, of whom 51 (28.0%) fulfilled the inclusion criteria for the study. The median age was 33 years, and 29 patients (56.9%) were female. Most patients had either acute myeloid leukaemia (n=22; 43.1%) or acute lymphocytic leukaemia (n=16; 31.4%), while B-cell lymphoma (n=12; 23.5%) and multiple myeloma (n=1; 2%) were less frequent. The median length of stay in the ICU was 3 days. ICU mortality was 76.5% and hospital mortality 82.4%. Factors associated with mortality included septic shock, vasoactive agent use and mechanical ventilation. Patients with haematological malignancies and febrile neutropenia in the UAH MICU have high ICU and hospital mortality rates. More needs to be done with regard to timeous management of patients with haematological malignancies and septic shock in our setting to improve survival. This is the first study to report on ICU mortality of adult patients with haematological malignancies and neutropenic sepsis in a tertiary hospital ICU in the Free State. These patients had a high mortality rate. What the study adds. Our study shows that septic shock, vasoactive agent use and mechanical ventilation were associated with increased ICU mortality.Implications of the findings. Strict adherence to infection prevention and control measures in haematology wards is required. Early recognition and treatment of sepsis before it progresses to septic shock is important. ICUs must be designed so that isolation cubicles are readily available to prevent cross-infection of patients.

Neurosurgical Consequences of e-Scooter Use: Strategies to Prevent Neurological Injury.

Rideshare electric scooter accidents have led to increasing emergency department (ED) visits and neurosurgical consultations. This study categorizes e-scooter-related injuries requiring neurosurgical consultation at a single level 1 trauma center. Patients who required neurosurgical consultation from June 2019 to June 2021 with a positive finding on computed tomography imaging were selected for review of patient and injury characteristics, resulting in a sample size of 50 cases. Average patient age was 36.9 (15-69) years, and 70% were male. Seventy-four percent of patients were under the influence of alcohol and 12% illicit drugs. None (0%) were helmeted. Seventy-eight percent of accidents occurred between 6:00 pm and 6:00 am. Twenty-two percent of patients required surgical intervention by craniotomy/craniectomy, and 4% required intracranial pressure monitor placement. Average intracranial hemorrhage volume was 17.8 cc (trace to 125). Volume of hemorrhage was associated with the need for an intensive care unit (ICU) stay (odds ratio [OR] = 1.01; p = 0.04), need for surgical intervention (OR = 1.007; p = 0.0001), and mortality (1.816; p < 0.001) and trended toward, but did not reach significance for, overall poor outcome (OR = 1.63; p = 0.06). Sixty-two percent of this patient pool required ICU admission. Average length of ICU stay was 3.5 days (0-35), and average length of hospital stay was 8.3 days (0-82). Mortality in this series was 8%. Lower admission Glasgow Coma Scale (OR = 0.974; p < 0.001) and increased volume of hemorrhage (OR = 1.816; p < 0.001) were associated with increased risk of mortality in the linear regression analysis. Electric scooters have become prevalent in most urban centers, and accidents are a potential source of severe intracranial injury requiring extended ICU and hospital stays, surgical intervention, and sometimes resulting in long-term morbidity and/or mortality. Injuries often occur in the evening hours and are often associated with alcohol/drug use and lack of helmet use. Policy changes to help mitigate the risk of these injuries are recommended.

SG-APSIC1129: Long-term effect of a bundled care program in reducing central-line–associated bloodstream infections

Objectives: Central-line–associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) has been the leading cause of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in the intensive care unit (ICU) setting. Previous studies have shown that a care bundle is effective in reducing CLABSI rates; however, the data on long-term sustainability and cost savings of bundled care are limited. Methods: From January 2011 to December 2020, a prospective surveillance was performed to monitor CLABSI at a university hospital in northern Taiwan. To reduce the CLABSI rate, a hospital-wide bundled care program for CLABSI prevention was implemented in 2013. We evaluated the long-term effect of the care bundle on CLABSI incidence and length of stay in the ICU. Results: During the study period, the overall CLABSI incidence decreased from 8.22 per 1,000 catheter days before the care bundle was implemented to 6.33 per 1,000 catheter days in 2020 (P for trend &lt;.01). The most common pathogens causing CLABSI were gut organisms (1,420 of 2,363, 60.1%), followed by environmental organisms (734 of 2,363, 31.1%) and skin organisms (177 of 2,363, 7.5%). The decreasing trend was statistically significant in the incidence of CLABSI caused by skin organisms (P for trend &lt; .01), but not in the incidence of CLABSI caused by environmental organisms (P for trend = .86) or gut organisms (P for trend = .06). In the multivariable analysis, implementation of this care bundle was independently associated with a decrease in the CLABSI rate (RR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.66–0.88). Compared with patients without CLABSI, patients with CLABSI had a longer average ICU length of stay (27 vs 17 days). Conclusions: A sustainable reduction in the incidence of CLABSI caused by common commensals could be achieved through a cost-saving bundled care program.

Pulmonary hypertension at admission predicts ICU mortality in elderly critically ill with severe COVID-19 pneumonia: retrospective cohort study

BackgroundPoint-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is a useful diagnostic tool for non-invasive assessment of critically ill patients. Mortality of elderly patients with COVID-19 pneumonia is high and there is still scarcity of definitive predictors. Aim of our study was to assess the prediction value of combined lung and heart POCUS data on mortality of elderly critically ill patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia.MethodsThis was a retrospective observational study. Data of patients older than 70 years, with severe COVID-19 pneumonia admitted to mixed 25-bed, level 3, intensive care unit (ICU) was analyzed retrospectively. POCUS was performed at admission; our parameters of interest were pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) and presence of diffuse B-line pattern (B-pattern) on lung ultrasound.ResultsBetween October 2020 and March 2021, 117 patients aged 70 years or more (average age 77 ± 5 years) were included. Average length of ICU stay was 10.7 ± 8.9 days. High-flow oxygenation, non-invasive ventilation and invasive mechanical ventilation were at some point used to support 36/117 (31%), 39/117 (33%) and 75/117 (64%) patients respectively. ICU mortality was 50.9%. ICU stay was shorter in survivors (8.8 ± 8.3 vs 12.6 ± 9.3 days, p = 0.02). PASP was lower in ICU survivors (32.5 ± 9.8 vs. 40.4 ± 14.3 mmHg, p = 0.024). B-pattern was more often detected in non-survivors (35/59 (59%) vs. 19/58 (33%), p = 0.005). PASP and B-pattern at admission, and also mechanical ventilation and development of VAP, were univariate predictors of mortality. PASP at admission was an independent predictor of ICU (OR 1.061, 95%CI 1.003–1.124, p = 0.039) and hospital (OR 1.073, 95%CI 1.003–1.146, p = 0.039) mortality.ConclusionsPulmonary artery systolic pressure at admission is an independent predictor of ICU and hospital mortality of elderly patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia.

EFFECT ON LENGTH OF STAY AND MORTALITY AFTER INITIATION OF EARLY PALLIATIVE CARE CONSULTATION IN A COMMUNITY HOSPITAL ICU: A QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT

EFFECT ON LENGTH OF STAY AND MORTALITY AFTER INITIATION OF EARLY PALLIATIVE CARE CONSULTATION IN A COMMUNITY HOSPITAL ICU: A QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT

Analysis of treatment for 360 critically ill pregnant and parturient women in intensive care unit

To analyze the clinical characteristics and outcomes of critically ill pregnant and parturient women in intensive care unit (ICU), and to provide clinical experience for the subspecialty construction of critical obstetrics. The clinical data of critically ill pregnant and parturient women admitted to the department of critical care medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University from January 2011 to December 2019 were collected. The main reasons for maternal transfer to ICU, the causes of maternal death, and organ support measures, etc. were summarized. A total of 39 567 critically ill pregnant and parturient women were admitted to the department of obstetrics in our hospital, and 360 were transferred to ICU, with an average ICU transfer rate of 0.91%. Since 2016, the number of obstetric admissions, the number of ICU transfers and the ICU transfer rate had increased significantly. The average age of severe maternals admitted to ICU was (30.9±5.7) years old. The average acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHE II) score was 7 (4, 10). The average length of ICU stay was 1 (1, 2) day. The average ventilator duration was 9.0 (3.0, 17.5) hours. The main delivery mode of pregnant women in ICU was cesarean section (84.72%). Forty-eight patients (13.33%) underwent hysterectomy, of which 42 (87.5%) due to postpartum hemorrhage. The top 3 causes of ICU admission were severe postpartum hemorrhage [36.94% (133/360)], hypertensive disorders of pregnancy [21.67% (78/360)], pregnancy with cardiac disease [15.00% (54/360)]. The leading cause of postpartum hemorrhage in women transferred to ICU was placental abnormality [63.98% (103/161)], followed by uterine atony [28.57% (46/161)]. The average blood loss was (4 019±2 327) mL within 24 hours after delivery, and the number of women who underwent hysterectomy due to postpartum hemorrhage decreased year by year. During the study period, there were 2 maternal deaths, which were indirect obstetric deaths, 3 cases were discharged against-advice (expected death), including 1 indirect death and 2 direct obstetric death; the mortality in ICU was 1.39% (5/360). The most common reasons for pregnant and parturient women to be admitted to ICU were severe postpartum hemorrhage and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. The leading cause of postpartum hemorrhage was placental problem. Indirect obstetric deaths exceeded direct obstetric deaths, mainly due to pregnancy complicated with cardiac disease and severe pneumonia. ICU has become an important battlefield for rescuing critically ill maternal and an important guarantee for reducing the maternal mortality.

518 Prescribing practices of atypical antipsychotics in the burn ICU

IntroductionAtypical antipsychotics are commonly used in the management of agitation and delirium in the intensive care unit (ICU). Patients admitted to the burn intensive care unit (BICU) with burns with large total body surface involvement ( >20%) require prolonged mechanical ventilation and prolonged ICU stay, putting them at risk of ICU delirium. Furthermore, patients with burn injuries often have underlying psychiatric conditions, and some can develop new psychiatric disorders secondary to the trauma associated with their burn. Due to these factors many burn patients receive scheduled oral atypical antipsychotics during their ICU stay. The purpose of this study was to retrospectively characterize the prescribing practices of atypical antipsychotics in the BICU.MethodsThis was a single-center, retrospective chart review of adults admitted to the BICU with a burn injury who received scheduled oral atypical antipsychotics. Prescribing patterns in the ICU and on all transitions of care were analyzed. Additionally, the appropriateness of AAP prescribing at discharge was evaluated. AAPs were considered to be appropriately prescribed at discharge if a patient was continuing a home medication, or if psychiatric consult services recommended continuing at discharge.ResultsDuring the five year study period, 440 adults were admitted to the BICU with a burn injury, 18.2% of which were prescribed an AAP during their ICU course. Of those prescribed an AAP, 28.8% had a documented underlying psychiatric condition. Most patients were male (70%) with an average age of 41 years, and a mean total body surface area burn of 32%. The average ICU length of stay was 32 days. AAPs were primarily used to treat agitation/delirium (72.5% of patients). Quetiapine was the most commonly prescribed AAP. On transfer to stepdown, AAPs were continued in 78.4% of patients. Additionally, 67.7% were discharged on an AAP. Of these patients, continuation was considered appropriate in 54% of patients.ConclusionsDespite overall lower AAP prescribing in the burn ICU compared to other ICUs, over two thirds of patients initiated on AAPs in the BICU were prescribed AAPs at discharge. AAPs should be evaluated for appropriateness at each transition of care.

Medication Errors Require Intensive Care Unit Admission

Objective: To evaluate the incidence and characteristics of medication errors (MEs) requiring intensive care unit (ICU) admissions and to determine the medication associated with MEs. Methods: A 6-month prospective observational study was conducted in the general adult ICU of a teaching hospital (Salmaniya Medical Complex, Bahrain). Patients admitted to the ICU were screened to determine which admissions were related to MEs. The medication errors were categorized based on medication class, polypharmacy, and the main system involved during the admission. Result: A total of 177 patients were included during the study period. MEs related to ICU admission accounted for 14.67% of total ICU admission during the study period. Polypharmacy patients who received more than five medications had a higher incidence of MEs (n= 17; 61.54%). Almost all MEs occurred during the prescribing phase. Anticoagulant medications were associated with one-third of MEs require ICU admissions, with a mortality rate of 62%. The average length of ICU stay in these patients was 7.73 days ± 4.43, with a mortality rate (26.92%; n = 7). The average cost of ICU admissions related to MEs was $213,262 USD. Conclusion: ICU admissions due to MEs are common. Anticoagulant found to be the most common drug class related to MEs and it was associated with a high mortality rate.

Severe maternal morbidity: admission shift from intensive care unit to obstetric high-dependency unit

BackgroundTo study temporal trends of intensive care unit (ICU) admission in obstetric population after the introduction of obstetric high-dependency unit (HDU).MethodsThis is a retrospective study of consecutive obstetric patients admitted to the ICU/HDU in a provincial referral center in China from January 2014 to December 2019. The collected information included maternal demographic characteristics, indications for ICU and HDU admission, the length of ICU stay, the total length of in-hospital stay and APACHE II score. Chi-square and ANOVA tests were used to determine statistical significance. The temporal changes were assessed with chi-square test for linear trend.ResultsA total of 40,412 women delivered and 447 (1.11%) women were admitted to ICU in this 6-year period. The rate of ICU admission peaked at 1.59% in 2016 and then dropped to 0.67% in 2019 with the introduction of obstetric HDU. The average APACHE II score increased significantly from 6.8 to 12.3 (P < 0.001) and the average length of ICU stay increased from 1.7 to 7.1 days (P < 0.001). The main indications for maternal ICU admissions were hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (39.8%), cardiac diseases (24.8%), and other medical disorders (21.5%); while the most common reasons for referring to HDU were hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (46.5%) and obstetric hemorrhage (43.0%). The establishment of HDU led to 20% reduction in ICU admission, which was mainly related to obstetric indications.ConclusionsThe introduction of HDU helps to reduce ICU utilization in obstetric population.

Postintensive care syndrome after severe COVID-19 respiratory illness and functional outcomes: Experience from the rehabilitation hospital in Qatar

Objective: This study aimed to observe functional outcomes post coronavirus disease (COVID) rehabilitation in COVID-19 patients with postintensive care syndrome (PICS). Methods: We present 13 cases of severe COVID-19 pneumonia who required prolonged intensive care unit (ICU) stay, and were later admitted to our rehabilitation institute with features of PICS and functional disability, during the months of July and August 2020. All these patients underwent a multidisciplinary rehabilitation program and are the first group of patients successfully discharged to the community. Results: Among 13 patients presented, 11 were male patients and 2 were female, in the age range 34–64 years. Ten out of 13 patients had at least one chronic illness such as diabetes mellitus, systemic hypertension, dyslipidemia, obstructive airway disease, and coronary artery disease, and seven among them had more than one illness. None of them had any known neuropsychiatric illnesses. All of them had severe pneumonia which required mechanical ventilation from 12 to 30 days and an average length of ICU stay of 36 days (Range 21–54 days). The most common impairments on rehabilitation admission were impaired exercise tolerance with poor scores in Modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea scale and desaturation on 40-step walking test, as well as significant ICU acquired weakness with a Medical Research Council (MRC) sum score in the range of 30–46 out of 60. Eight out of 13 patients had critical illness myopathy and/or neuropathy diagnosed with neuro-electrodiagnostic testing. The average length of stay for the patients in rehabilitation was 36 days, with a range of 18–65 days. Conclusion: Early multidisciplinary rehabilitation has got a potential benefit in the functional outcome of COVID-19 survivors. More studies are required in this area to further evaluate the benefits of different rehabilitation interventions, their intensity, duration, long-term benefits, and to create guidelines for addressing similar situations in the future.

Clinical Effect of Intelligent Emergency Nursing Mode in Patients with Severe Traumatic Brain Injury

Objective: Severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI) is one of the common acute and critical diseases in neurosurgery. So we aim to explore the clinical effectiveness of an intelligent emergency care model in patients with severe traumatic brain injury. Methods: Eighty patients with severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI) who were treated in Zhuji People’s Hospital of Zhejiang Province from January 2019 to December 2021 were selected as the study subjects. The patients were divided into an observation group and a control group with 40 patients in each group according to the random number table method. Patients in the control group received conventional first-aid nursing mode intervention, and the intelligent emergency nursing mode was used for the observation group based on the control group. Comparisons were conducted between the two groups on the time of arrival to the emergency room, the time from the emergency room to the operating room, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score before surgery, GCS score when leaving the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), the average length of ICU stay, the average length of hospital stay, the total hospital costs. Results: The time of arrival to the emergency room, the time from the emergency room to the operating room, the average length of ICU stay, the average length of hospital stay, and the total hospital costs in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (All P < 0.05). At the same time, the GCS score before surgery and the GCS score when leaving the ICU of the observation group was better than the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Intelligent emergency nursing mode can shorten the time of sTBI rescue, the length of ICU stay, and the average length of hospital stay, reduce the total hospitalization cost, improve the prognosis, with good efficacy, reduce the total cost of hospitalization, and improve the prognosis with better efficacy.

Failed extubation in a tertiary-level hospital intensive care unit, Pretoria, South Africa.

Background A prospective cohort study sought to measure the incidence and outcomes of failed extubation in Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital intensive care unit (ICU), as well as to identify possible factors associated with failed extubation. Methods Data were collected over a 6-month period from 1 July 2015 to 31 December 2015. Pre-intubation parameters recorded on the data collection sheet included secretions, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), fluid balance, Tobin index, partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2 ), partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2 ), comorbidities and weaning method. Results A total of 242 patients were enrolled over the 6-month study period. Of the 242 patients, 86 were excluded owing to pre-set exclusion criteria (death before extubation; tracheostomy before extubation; re-intubation >72 hours post extubation). An extubation failure rate of 16.7% (n=26) was observed. The incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia in the failed extubation group was 19.23%, whereas death was recorded in 42.31% of patients who failed extubation. The average length of ICU stay in the reintubated group was 11.58 days, and 4.04 days for successfully extubated patients. Only low GCS had a statistically significant impact on failed extubation: p=0.0025; odds ratio (OR) for low v. normal 5.13 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.78 - 14.79). Other predictor variables measured did not reach statistical significance. Weaning method: p=0.3737, OR for No T-piece v. T-piece 1.65 (95% CI 0.547 - 4.976); comorbidities: p=0.5914, OR for two or more comorbidities v. no comorbidities 2.079 (95% CI 0.246 - 17.539), no comorbidities v. single comorbidity 0.802 (95% CI 0.211 - 3.043); fluid balance: p=0.6625, OR for negative v. positive fluid balance 0.571 (95% CI 0.170 - 1.916), OR for neutral v. positive fluid balance <0.001 (95% CI <0.001 - >999.999); pCO2 : p=0.7510, OR for high v. normal pCO2 1.344 (95% CI 0.346 - 5.213), OR for low v. normal pCO2 1.515 (95% CI 0.501 - 4.576); PaO2 : p=0.4405, OR for high v. normal 1.156 (95% CI 0.382 - 3.494); OR for low v. normal PaO2 2.638 (95% CI 0.553 - 12.587); Tobin index (Fischer’s exact test): p=0.7476. Conclusion Low pre-extubation GCS is a predictor of failed extubation. Contributions of the study The study is a prospective observational study conducted in a high-volume referral hospital. It adds valuable scientific information to a growing body of data on the topic of extubation failure. It further reinforces the importance of extubation failure and the requirement for due diligence to be paid before a patient is extubated.

Effect of ABO blood groups on length of hospital stay according to age in Covid-19 patients

IntroductionCoronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a novel viral disease with person-to-person transmission that has spread to many countries since the end of 2019. Although many unknowns were resolved within a year and the vaccine is available, it is still a major global health problem. ObjectiveCOVID-19 infection may present with a considerably wide spectrum of severity and host factors play a significant role in determining the course of the disease. One of these factors is blood groups. Based on previous experience, it is believed that the ABO blood group type affects prognosis, treatment response and length of stay in the hospital. In this study, our aim was to evaluate whether the blood group had an effect on the length of the hospital stay. To the best of our knowledge, no previous studies have assessed the effect of ABO blood groups, as well as age, on the length of the hospital stay in these settings. MethodsIn this retrospective cohort study, 969 patients admitted to our hospital between March 15, 2020 and May 15, 2020 were evaluated. The patients were divided into 4 groups according to ABO blood groups. The effect of the ABO blood group by age on the course of the disease, need for intensive care, duration of hospitalization and mortality in patients with COVID-19 infection, especially in geriatric patients, was evaluated. ResultsOf all the patients, 9.1% required admission to the intensive care unit (ICU), of whom 83% died. The average length of ICU stay was 11 days (0 - 59). The observed mortality rates in blood groups A, B, AB and 0 were 86.4%, 93.3%, 80.0% and 70.8%, respectively, indicating similar death rates in all ABO blood types. When the Rh phenotype was taken into consideration, no significant changes in results were seen. ConclusionAs a result, we could not observe a significant relationship between blood groups and clinical outcomes in this study, which included a sample of Turkish patients with COVID-19.

Predictors of aortic clamp time duration and intensive care unit length of stay in elective adult cardiac surgery

BackgroundAortic cross-clamp utilized during cardiac surgery facilitates motionless and bloodless surgical field. However, the duration of clamp time has an inverse effect on early post-operative recovery period. In this study, we sought to examine the predictors of aortic clamp duration and intensive care unit length of stay.ResultsSix hundred and nine adult patients presented for elective cardiac surgery between December 2019 and December 2020 were enrolled. The age of patients ranged from 18 to 82 years (mean 55.62 years, SD ± 12.3 years). Male/female ratio is 4.6:1. Most patients (87.2%) were planned for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and 78 patients (12.8%) for single heart valve procedure. Operative time (OT) ranged from 120 to 402 min and averaged 259.4 min (SD ± 45.9 min). ACC time ranged from 15 to 159 min and averaged 50.56 min (SD ± 19.4 min). Factors associated with significantly longer ACCT were: smoking (OR = 1.89 (95% CI 1.3–2.74), p value = 0.01), respiratory disease (OR = 0.48 (95% CI 0.24–0.96), p value = 0.039), obesity (OR = 1.76 (95% CI 1.18–2.63), p value = 0.005) and AVR (OR = 2.11 (95% CI 1.17–3.83), p value = 0.013). Low cardiac output syndrome (LCOS) was observed in 19.2% of patients. Longer than average ACCT was associated with increased use of inotropes (p value < 0.001), intra-aortic balloon pump (p value < 0.001) and first 24 h post-operative blood loss (p value < 0.001). The average intensive care unit length of stay (ICULOS) was 1.64 days (SD ± 1.1 days). Patients' ACCT converged positively and significantly on ICULOS (Beta coefficient = 1.013 (95% CI 1.01–1.015), p value < 0.001).ConclusionAortic cross-clamping is a crucial method in cardiac surgery to achieve motionless field; however, prolongation of this method had an incremental risks for the development of low cardiac output syndrome, increased first 24 h post-operative blood loss and longer stay in the intensive care unit.

Clinical outcomes in patients with malignant brain tumors admitted to the ICU.

e14034 Background: Primary brain malignancy is distinct from other oncologic diagnoses in its presentation and course. Recent treatment advances have modestly improved survival; yet, prognoses for afflicted patients remain grim, which often leads to non-oncology providers questioning the pertinence of aggressive critical care in this population. By relating patient and disease factors with mortality rates in malignant brain tumor (MBT) patients admitted for critical care, we seek to identify valuable prognostic factors and clarify the expected outcomes following intensive care unit (ICU) admission among these patients. Methods: A single-institution retrospective review was performed of 80 primary MBT patients admitted to neuro- or medical ICUs over a five-year period. The Electronic Health Record (EHR) was queried to identify MBT patients who had been admitted to the ICU. Patients undergoing planned surgical resection or with post-operative complications were excluded, as were patients with brain metastases. A matched control group of 80 solid tumor (ST) patients (excluding brain tumors) was included for comparison. Similar aged matched controls were randomly identified via EHR over the same time period to include non-brain, ST patients admitted to the ICU. Demographic, oncologic, and admission data were related to outcomes, which included complication rates (ICU mortality, six-month mortality) and change in Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) score. Results: The average age was 55.9 (20-83) and 62.8 (27-89) years in the MBT and ST group, respectively (p = 0.10). ICU mortality was 15% and 21% (p = 0.411) and six-month mortality was 46% and 65% (p = 0.10) in the MBT and control groups, respectively. The most common reasons for ICU admission were seizures (36%) and septic shock (21%) among MBT patients, compared to hypoxic respiratory failure (43%) and septic shock (30%) among ST patients. The MBT group’s KPS score decreased by 23.6 ± 26.82 during their ICU admission, while the control group KPS decreased by 27.0 ± 28.3 (p = 0.87). Average length of ICU stay was 3.82 ± 4.4 days in the MBT group, compared to 2.95 ± 1.83 days in the control ST group (p = 0.29). Average length of hospital stay was 9.07 ± 9.0 days in the MBT group and 8.67 ± 7.76 days in the ST group (p = 0.92). Conclusions: No significant difference was observed in ICU or 6-month mortality when comparing primary MBT and ST patients. Change in KPS score across ICU admissions was similar among the two groups. Our data indicate that despite their guarded prognosis, MBT patients fare no worse than those with other solid tumor types at our institution in the critical care setting. These similarities in mortality and functional scores justify medical ICU admission in patients with primary brain malignancy, and should inform intensivist and oncologist admission patterns.