Clinical-surgical Intensive Care Unit Research Articles

Comparison between the perceptions of family members and health professionals regarding a flexible visitation model in an adult intensive care unit: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE: To compare the perceptions of patients’ relatives with the perceptions of health professionals regarding a flexible visitation model in intensive care units. METHODS: Cross-sectional study. This study was carried out with patients’ relatives and members of the care team of a clinical-surgical intensive care unit with a flexible visitation model (12 hours/day) from September to December 2018. The evaluation of the flexible visitation policy was carried out through an open visitation instrument composed of 22 questions divided into three domains (evaluation of family stress, provision of information, and interference in the work of the team). RESULTS: Ninety-five accompanying relatives and 95 members of the care team were analyzed. The perceptions of relatives regarding the decrease in anxiety and stress with flexible visitation was higher than the perceptions of the team (91.6% versus 58.9%, p < 0.001), and the family also had a more positive perception regarding the provision of information (86.3% versus 64.2%, p < 0.001). The care team believed that the presence of the relative made it difficult to provide care to the patient and caused work interruptions (46.3% versus 6.3%, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Family members and staff-intensive care unit teams have different perceptions about flexible visits in the intensive care unit. However, a positive view regarding the perception of decreased anxiety and stress among the family members and greater information and contributions to patient recovery predominates.

Comparison between the perceptions of family members and health professionals regarding a flexible visitation model in an adult intensive care unit: a cross-sectional study.

To compare the perceptions of patients' relatives with the perceptions of health professionals regarding a flexible visitation model in intensive care units. Cross-sectional study. This study was carried out with patients' relatives and members of the care team of a clinical-surgical intensive care unit with a flexible visitation model (12 hours/day) from September to December 2018. The evaluation of the flexible visitation policy was carried out through an open visitation instrument composed of 22 questions divided into three domains (evaluation of family stress, provision of information, and interference in the work of the team). Ninety-five accompanying relatives and 95 members of the care team were analyzed. The perceptions of relatives regarding the decrease in anxiety and stress with flexible visitation was higher than the perceptions of the team (91.6% versus 58.9%, p < 0.001), and the family also had a more positive perception regarding the provision of information (86.3% versus 64.2%, p < 0.001). The care team believed that the presence of the relative made it difficult to provide care to the patient and caused work interruptions (46.3% versus 6.3%, p < 0.001). Family members and staff-intensive care unit teams have different perceptions about flexible visits in the intensive care unit. However, a positive view regarding the perception of decreased anxiety and stress among the family members and greater information and contributions to patient recovery predominates.

Hypothermia related to continuous renal replacement therapy: incidence and associated factors.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the incidence of hypothermia in patients undergoing continuous renal replacement therapy in the intensive care unit. As secondary objectives, we determined associated factors and compared the occurrence of hypothermia between two modalities of continuous renal replacement therapy.MethodsA prospective cohort study was conducted with adult patients who were admitted to a clinical-surgical intensive care unit and underwent continuous renal replacement therapy in a high-complexity public university hospital in southern Brazil from April 2017 to July 2018. Hypothermia was defined as a body temperature ≤ 35ºC. The patients included in the study were followed for the first 48 hours of continuous renal replacement therapy. The researchers collected data from medical records and continuous renal replacement therapy records.ResultsA total of 186 patients were equally distributed between two types of continuous renal replacement therapy: hemodialysis and hemodiafiltration. The incidence of hypothermia was 52.7% and was higher in patients admitted for shock (relative risk of 2.11; 95%CI 1.21 - 3.69; p = 0.009) and in those who underwent hemodiafiltration with heating in the return line (relative risk of 1.50; 95%CI 1.13 - 1.99; p = 0.005).ConclusionHypothermia in critically ill patients with continuous renal replacement therapy is frequent, and the intensive care team should be attentive, especially when there are associated risk factors.

Cuidados paliativos e limitação de suporte de vida em terapia intensiva

Resumo A limitação de suporte de vida tem sido aplicada na terapia intensiva em quadros de doença irreversível e tratamento improdutivo. Nessas situações, cuidados paliativos visam prevenir e aliviar o sofrimento e tornam-se essenciais para propiciar atenção específica e contínua para o paciente e sua família, possibilitando morte digna. Este estudo envolveu pesquisa qualitativa realizada com 37 profissionais da equipe multidisciplinar em unidade de terapia intensiva clínico-cirúrgica de hospital público em Curitiba, Paraná, Brasil. A análise temática dos dados estabeleceu quatro temas, que permitiram investigar o conhecimento da equipe sobre eles e elaborar ações de cuidados paliativos a pacientes com limitação de suporte de vida em terapia intensiva. Os profissionais reconheceram a importância dos cuidados paliativos à população em apreço naquela unidade.

Near-infrared spectroscopy parameters in patients undergoing continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration.

ABSTRACTObjective To investigate the impacts of continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration on the microcirculation in patients with acute kidney injury.Methods A prospective observational pilot study conducted in a 40-bed, open clinical-surgical intensive care unit of a private tertiary care hospital located in the city of São Paulo (SP), Brazil. Microcirculation was assessed using near-infrared spectroscopy by means of a 15mm probe placed over the thenar eminence. Vascular occlusion test was performed on the forearm to be submitted to near-infrared spectroscopy by inflation of a sphygmomanometer cuff to 30mmHg higher than the systolic arterial pressure. The primary endpoint was the assessment of near-infrared spectroscopy-derived parameters immediately before, 1, 4 and 24 hours after the initiation of continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration.Results Nine patients were included in this pilot study over a period of 2 months. Minimum tissue oxygen saturation measured during the vascular occlusion test was the only near-infrared spectroscopy-derived parameter to differed over the time (decrease compared to baseline values up to 24 hours after initiation of continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration).Conclusion The impacts of microcirculatory dysfunction on clinical outcomes of patients undergoing to continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration need to be further investigated.

Augmented renal clearance in critically ill patients: incidence, associated factors and effects on vancomycin treatment

ObjectiveAn augmented renal clearance has been described in some groups of critically ill patients, and it might induce sub-optimal concentrations of drugs eliminated by glomerular filtration, mainly antibiotics. Studies on its occurrence and determinants are lacking. Our goals were to determine the incidence and associated factors of augmented renal clearance and the effects on vancomycin concentrations and dosing in a series of intensive care unit patients.MethodsWe prospectively studied 363 patients admitted during 1 year to a clinical-surgical intensive care unit. Patients with serum creatinine >1.3mg/dL were excluded. Creatinine clearance was calculated from a 24-hour urine collection. Patients were grouped according to the presence of augmented renal clearance (creatinine clearance >120mL/min/1.73m2), and possible risk factors were analyzed with bivariate and logistic regression analysis. In patients treated with vancomycin, dosage and plasma concentrations were registered.ResultsAugmented renal clearance was present in 103 patients (28%); they were younger (48±15 versus 65±17 years, p<0.0001), had more frequent obstetric (16 versus 7%, p=0.0006) and trauma admissions (10 versus 3%, p=0.016) and fewer comorbidities. The only independent determinants for the development of augmented renal clearance were age (OR 0.95; p<0.0001; 95%CI 0.93-0.96) and absence of diabetes (OR 0.34; p=0.03; 95%CI 0.12-0.92). Twelve of the 46 patients who received vancomycin had augmented renal clearance and despite higher doses, had lower concentrations.ConclusionsIn this cohort of critically ill patients, augmented renal clearance was a common finding. Age and absence of diabetes were the only independent determinants. Therefore, younger and previously healthy patients might require larger vancomycin dosing.

Evolución de 10 años de aplicación de la ventilación mecánica en la insuficiencia respiratoria aguda del paciente hematológico ingresado en la unidad de cuidados intensivos

ObjectiveA comparison was made between invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) and noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) in haematological patients with acute respiratory failure. DesignA retrospective observational study was made from 2001 to December 2011. SettingA clinical-surgical intensive care unit (ICU) in a tertiary hospital. PatientsPatients with hematological malignancies suffering acute respiratory failure (ARF) and requiring mechanical ventilation in the form of either IMV or NPPV. Variables of interestAnalysis of infection and organ failure rates, duration of mechanical ventilation and ICU and hospital stays, as well as ICU, hospital and mortality after 90 days. The same variables were analyzed in the comparison between NPPV success and failure. ResultsForty-one patients were included, of which 35 required IMV and 6 NPPV. ICU mortality was higher in the IMV group (100% vs 37% in NPPV, P=.006). The intubation rate in NPPV was 40%. Compared with successful NPPV, failure in the NPPV group involved more complications, a longer duration of mechanical ventilation and ICU stay, and greater ICU and hospital mortality. Multivariate analysis of mortality in the NPPV group identified NPPV failure (OR 13 [95%CI 1.33–77.96], P=.008) and progression to acute respiratory distress syndrome (OR 10 [95%CI 1.95–89.22], P=.03) as prognostic factors. ConclusionThe use of NPPV reduced mortality compared with IMV. NPPV failure was associated with more complications.

Antimicrobial use, incidence, etiology and resistance patterns in bacteria causing ventilator-associated pneumonia in a clinical-surgical intensive care unit

Antimicrobial resistance is an increasing threat in hospitalized patients, and inappropriate empirical antimicrobial therapy is known to adversely affect outcomes in ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). The aim of this study was to evaluate antimicrobial usage, incidence, etiology, and antimicrobial resistance trends for prominent nosocomial pathogens causing ventilator-associated pneumonia in a clinical-surgical intensive care unit (ICU). Gram-negative bacilli and Staphylococcus aureus causing VAP, as well as their antimicrobial resistance patterns and data on consumption (defined daily dose [DDD] per 1,000 patient days) of glycopeptides, extended-spectrum cephalosporins, and carbapenems in the unit were evaluated in two different periods (A and B). Antimicrobial use was high, mainly of broad-spectrum cephalosporins, with a significant increase in the consumption of glycopeptides (p < 0.0001) and carbapenems (p < 0.007) in period B. For Acinetobacter baumannii and members of the Enterobacteriaceae family, 5.27- and 3.06-fold increases in VAPs, respectively, were noted, and a significant increase in resistance rates was found for imipenem-resistant A. baumannii (p = 0.003) and third-generation cephalosporins-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (p = 0.01) isolates in this same period. Our results suggest that there is a link between antibiotics usage at institutional levels and resistant bacteria. The use of carbapenems was related to the high rate of resistance in A. baumannii and therefore a high consumption of imipenem/meropenem could play a major role in selective pressure exerted by antibiotics in A. baumannii strains.

Aspectos epidemiológicos de pacientes traqueostomizados em unidade de terapia intensiva adulto de um hospital de referência ao Sistema Único de Saúde em Belo Horizonte

Tracheostomy is a common procedure in intensive care unit to promote mechanical ventilation weaning. Despite tracheostomy is increasingly used there is no agreement of actual clinical practice of tracheostomy in different groups of patients in our environment. Objective of this study was to evaluate the epidemiological profile and outcomes of patients with tracheostomy at a clinical-surgical intensive care unit and compare this profile with the current literature. Retrospective descriptive study through review of medical records and quality control database of "QuaTI" (Qualidade em Terapia Intensiva) of 87 patients with tracheostomy at Santa Casa de Belo Horizonte intensive care unit in 2007. We studied variables related to evolution aspects. The clinical and epidemiological analysis of the 87 patients showed: mean age 58 ± 17 years, mean Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation - APACHE II 18 ± 6, mean time of orotracheal intubation before tracheostomy of 11.17 ± 4.78 days. Intensive care unit mortality was 40.2% (35/87 patients), ward mortality was 36.5% (19/52) and overall hospital mortality 62.1% (54/87). Mean age of patients who died at intensive care unit (65 + 17 years) was greater than who were discharged to ward (53 ± 16 years) p = 0.003. Mean age of who died in hospital (intensive care unit and ward) (62 ± 17 years) was also higher than survivors (52 ± 16 years) p = 0.008. Old age (> 65 years) was related to intensive care unit mortality (OR 2.874, CI 1.165 a 7.088 p = 0.020) and also related to the overall hospital mortality (OR 3.202, CI 1.188 a 8.628 p = 0.019). There were not others variables related to mortality in this sample. The epidemiological profile of patients who underwent tracheotomy in the intensive care unit showed high mortality rate when compared to international series. Senility was related to worse outcome in these patients. Other issues were not related mortality in this group.

Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia (VAP) caused by Multidrug-Resistant (MDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa vs. other microorganisms at an adult clinical-surgical intensive care unit in a Brazilian University Hospital: Risk factors and outcomes

This study aims at investigating whether the development of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia (VAP) episodes caused by Multidrug-Resistant (MDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosaor other microorganisms (Staphylococcus aureus and other bacilli) were related to different risk factors. A 1-year retrospective case-control study was conducted in surgical-clinical Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Inclusion criteria were VAP cases (n = 66) caused by MDR P. aeruginosa (Group P, n = 31) compared with those caused by other microorganisms (Group C, n = 35). Altogether, the VAP incidence rate of 21.11 per 1, 000 ventilation days was high and compatible with ICUs in developing countries. Most of VAP cases (92.4%) were identified as late-onset pneumonia with 5 early-onset cases associated with Methicillin-SusceptibleStaphylococcus aureus (MSSA). In a logistic regression analysis, Group P was independently associated with four variables: presence of three or more invasive devices; use of three or more antibiotics; use of aminoglycosides; and absence of immunocompromise. Empirical antibiotic therapy was inadequate in 48.4% of the VAP cases caused by MDR P. aeruginosa with crude mortality rate (46.7%) higher than in those which patients received adequate antibiotics (18.7%). The findings to show that there were no outcome differences between the groups regarding critical care unit survival, but there were significant differences between pathogens groups regarding risk factors. Key words: Nosocomial infection, risk factors, epidemiologic study.

Ventilator-associated pneumonia in an adult clinical-surgical intensive care unit of a Brazilian university hospital: incidence, risk factors, etiology, and antibiotic resistance

The objective of this study was to evaluate clinical characteristics, etiology, and resistance to antimicrobial agents, among patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). A case study vs. patients control under mechanical ventilation and hospitalized into clinical-surgical adults ICU of HC-UFU was performed from March/2005 to March/2006. Patients under ventilation for over 48 h were included in the study including 84 with diagnosis of VAP, and 191 without VAP (control group). Laboratory diagnosis was carried out through quantitative microbiological evaluation of tracheal aspirate. The identification of pathogens was performed by classical microbiological tests, and the antibiotics sensitivity spectrum was determined through the CLSI technique. VAP incidence rate over 1,000 days of ventilation was 24.59. The mean (+/- SD) duration of mechanical ventilation prior to VAP diagnosis was 23.2 +/- 17.2 days. By multivariate analysis the risk factors predisposing for VAP were: mechanical ventilation time and mechanical ventilation > seven days, tracheostomy and use of > or = three antibiotics. Mortality rate was high (32.1 %) but lower than that of the control group (46.5%). Major pathogens were identified in most of patients (95.2%) and included: Pseudomonas aeruginosa (29%), Staphylococcus aureus (26%), Enterobacter/Klebsiella/Serratia (19%) and Acinetobacter spp. (18%), with expressive frequencies of P. aeruginosa (52%), S. aureus (65.4%) and Enterobacteriaceae (43.7%) resistant to imipenem, oxacillin and 3/4 generation cephalosporins, respectively. In conclusion, our observation showed VAPs caused by multiresistant microorganisms, the prescription of > or = three antibiotics, and mortality with unacceptably high rates. The practice of de-escalation therapy appears to be urgently needed in order to improve the situation.

INSPIRATORY MUSCLE TRAINING IS INEFFECTIVE IN MECHANICALLY VENTILATED CRITICALLY ILL PATIENTS

Invasive mechanical ventilation is associated with complications, and its abbreviation is desirable. The imbalance between increased workload, decreased inspiratory muscle strength and endurance is an important determinant of ventilator dependence. Low endurance may be present due to respiratory muscle atrophy, critical illness, or steroid use. Specific inspiratory muscle training may increase or preserve endurance. The objective of the study was to test the hypothesis that inspiratory muscle training from the beginning of mechanical ventilation would abbreviate the weaning duration and decrease reintubation rate. As a secondary objective, we described the evolution of inspiratory muscle strength with and without inspiratory muscle training. Prospective, randomized clinical trial in an adult clinical-surgical intensive care unit. Twelve patients trained the inspiratory muscles twice a day, and 13 patients did not (control). Training was performed adjusting the sensitivity of the ventilator based on the maximal inspiratory pressure. Patients underwent daily surveillance of the maximal inspiratory pressure. The weaning duration (31 +/- 22 hr, control and 23 +/- 11 hr, training group; P = .24) and reintubation rate (5 control and 3 training group; P = .39) were not statistically different. The maximal inspiratory pressure of the control group showed a trend toward a modest increase. In contrast, the training group showed a small decrease (P = .34). In acute critically ill patients, inspiratory muscle training from the beginning of mechanical ventilation neither abbreviated the weaning duration, nor decreased the reintubation rate. Inspiratory muscle strength tended to stay constant, along the mechanical ventilation, with or without this specific inspiratory muscle training.