Doctors often use a machine to clean blood in very sick patients. This is called CRRT. Two common methods keep blood from clotting in the machine. One uses citrate. The other uses heparin. Both have pros and cons. But which one saves more money and works better? That's what experts wanted to find out. First, let's talk about the two methods. Citrate works by stoppin...
In the world of intensive care, stress is a well-known companion for patients. But what about comfort? It's a topic that hasn't gotten as much attention. A recent study aimed to change that by looking at the overall comfort of critically ill patients during their ICU stay. The study used a special tool called the Comfort Questionnaire (CQ)-ICU. This questionnaire is...
Nurses in intensive care units (ICUs) and progressive care units (PCUs) have a tough job. They face constant pressure, and this can lead to serious mental health issues. One big problem is workplace bullying, which can make things even harder. But how nurses handle stress can change everything. The ICU and PCU environments are intense. Nurses must make split-second ...
Sepsis is a serious condition that happens when an infection causes organ failure. It's tricky to treat because it affects people differently. This makes it a tough nut to crack for doctors trying to give precise care in critical situations. The stakes are high, with many patients not surviving their hospital stay. A new platform, MetaSepsisKnowHub, is stepping up t...
Teaching is a big part of being a pediatric critical care specialist. But who checks if these specialists are good at teaching? Not many. So, a group of medical education experts came up with a clever idea. They wanted to create a program that uses simulations to test and improve teaching skills in pediatric critical care. This is not just about knowing the facts. It...
When someone is in intensive care, the focus is on survival. Doctors and nurses work hard to keep the patient alive. But what happens after the patient leaves the ICU? Many people face a set of challenges known as Post-Intensive Care Syndrome. This condition is not widely known, but it affects many people who have spent time in intensive care. Post-Intensive Car...
Heat stroke is a serious condition that can happen when someone is exposed to high temperatures. It can be caused by extreme heat or even by physical activity in hot weather. This is a big deal because climate change is making heat waves more common. So, it's important to know how to spot heat stroke and what to do about it. First, let's talk about what heat stroke ...
Burnout is a major concern for those working in intensive care. Doctors in South Korea are facing serious challenges that affect their well-being and quality of patient care. To tackle this, a survey was organized by the Korean Society of Critical Care Medicine. The survey was spread across 51 hospitals and 79 intensive care units in 2019. The survey was sen...
Imagine a situation where a simple scan could save someone's life. That's what happened with a 51-year-old woman who had a rare liver infection called hepatic gas gangrene (HGG). This infection is usually caused by bacteria like Clostridium perfringens, but other germs can also be the culprit. Doctors often use a CT scan to diagnose it, but there's a newer tool calle...
When a person faces serious injuries, they rely on a team of medical professionals to keep them safe. This team needs to work well together to move the patient from one stage of care to another. Researchers wanted to understand how well this team works and if their actions lead to better patient safety. They decided to study the behavior of doctors and nurses who are...