Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1992.

This study explores the use of early warning scores (EWS) in deteriorating patients. These are widely used tools to measure vital signs and highlight abnormal physiology in acutely unwell patients. Measurements of the process in the management of the deteriorating patient includes time to first assessment of such patients. The level of clinician involved in the subsequent management is also investigated to determine whether escalation of care was appropriate. This work is a retrospective case note analysis of the recognition and management of deteriorating patients prior to critical care admission. Research Questions 1. What violations in the optimum process are associated with sub-optimal recognition and management of deteriorating patients and delayed critical care admission in patients triggering early warning scores in acute care wards? 2. Are there independent variables which can predict the delay in the recognition and management of deteriorating patients and subsequent critical care admission? Methods The literature was reviewed to determine the optimum process of recognition and management of deteriorating patients in acute care wards. A data collection tool was then specifically designed and locally validated to extract objective data from the case records. A sample of 157 patients admitted to critical care from acute wards over a 6 month period were included in the study. The case records were then retrospectively reviewed and information was extracted using the data collection tool. Results The accuracy and frequency of early warning scores were measured and findings demonstrated that 59% of Early Warning Scores (EWS) were miscalculated. The most frequent of those miscalculated were the intermediate scores (4 or 5) (error rate - 52%) followed by the higher scores (6 or more) (error rate - 32%). The least frequently miscalculated were the lower scores (0 -3) (error rate 15%). Descriptive data from the sample such as age, ward, diagnosis, time of hospital admission, time and day of transfer / EWS triggering were included. From the total case records reviewed, 110 patients had abnormal Early Warning Scores (4 or more) and were included in the inferential data analysis. The independent variables related to the processes objectively measurable in the recognition and management of deteriorating patients were included. After descriptive analysis the independent variables were cross-tabulated with the dependent variable using Pearson chi-square. The dependent variable was identified from the literature. This was whether time from triggering an abnormal EWS to critical care admission was delayed more than 6 hours. The subsequent predictor variables were then entered in to a binary logistic regression model for statistical analysis using SPSS version 21 software. Binominal Logistic Regression Analysis identified three significant variables predicting delay of the recognition and management of deteriorating patients. • Frequency of EWS measurement not increased appropriately • Length of stay prior to critical care admission 12-36 hours • If no consultant review during 6 hours of abnormal EWS Implications for Future Practice This study highlights areas of risk in the detection of patients’ clinical deterioration in acute wards. These findings should guide quality improvement to prevent unnecessary morbidity and mortality. As a key area of patient risk included the lack of frequency and accuracy of EWS measurements, staff education is required to ensure staff are given the appropriate knowledge to understand the use of the tool. Regular review of the frequency of measurement is also required as this was statistically significant in the delay to critical care admission. The high risk time from admission of 12-36 hours needs further investigation. This study also highlights the need for senior decision makers to be involved in the care of deteriorating patients to improve outcomes.

As disnatremias são os distúrbios hidroeletrolíticos mais comuns, sendo relatados em cerca de 30-40% dos pacientes hospitalizados. Quando presentes na admissão em Unidade de Tratamento Intensivo (UTI) são fatores de risco independentes de pior prognóstico, estando associadas à maior letalidade hospitalar. Mesmo disnatremias limítrofes (130 135 mEq/l na hiponatremia e 145 a 150 mEq/L na hipernatremia) têm sido associadas a um maior tempo de internação na UTI e a um aumento de letalidade hospitalar, independente da gravidade da doença de base. A concentração sérica do sódio é mantida por um fino controle, por meio da regulação renal do sal e da água. Pacientes com doença renal crônica (DRC) em tratamento conservador ou em terapia renal substitutiva, apresentam maior prevalência de disnatremia. Embora a hiponatremia seja mais frequente nessa população, o diagnóstico de hipo- ou hipernatremia tem sido associado a uma maior mortalidade. Não há relato claro na literatura da prevalência de disnatremias na injúria renal aguda (IRA), em especial nos casos mais graves, em que há indicação de suporte dialítico. O presente estudo teve como objetivos avaliar a prevalência da disnatremia e o seu impacto no prognóstico de pacientes gravemente enfermos com IRA e necessidade de suporte renal (SR) na UTI.Em um período de 44 meses (de dezembro de 2004 a julho 2008) foram incluídos de forma prospectiva todos os pacientes que iniciaram SR em 14 UTIs de 3 hospitais terciários do Rio de Janeiro. Dados clínicos e laboratoriais foram coletados prospectivamente e lançados em uma planilha eletrônica para posterior análise com o software R. Os desfechos de interesse foram letalidade na UTI e no hospital. As variáveis que, além do sódio, apresentavam associação com os desfechos de interesse na análise bivariada, foram selecionadas e incluídas no modelo de regressão logística múltipla.Um total de 772 pacientes foram incluídos no estudo. A mediana da idade foi de 75 [IIQ: 61-82 anos]; 81,5% (IC: 78,4%-84%) foram admitidos na UTI por complicações clínicas. A presença de pelo menos uma comorbidade (hipertensão, diabetes, doença coronariana, insuficiência cardíaca, doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica ou cirrose) esteve presente em 84% dos pacientes. A maior parte dos pacientes (72,5%, IC: 69,2%-75,7%) apresentava o diagnóstico de sepse. Os principais fatores contribuinte para IRA foram sepse (72%) e isquemia/choque (66%). A mortalidade na UTI foi de 64,6% (IC: 61,1%-68%) e a hospitalar foi de 69,7% (IC: 66,3%-72,9%). O diagnóstico de disnatremia foi frequente, estando presente em 47,3% (IC: 43,7%-50,9%) dos pacientes. A hipernatremia foi significantemente mais frequente do que a hiponatremia (33,7% X 13,6%, p=0.001) na população estudada. Na análise multivariada, os pacientes mais idosos, a admissão clínica, o número de comorbidades e o número de disfunções orgânicas estiveram associados a uma maior letalidade hospitalar. Os paciente com hipernatremia grave (>155 mEq/l) apresentaram maior associação com o óbito na UTI e no hospital [odds ratio (OR) ajustado de 3.39 (1,48-7,8) e 2,87 (1,2-6,89), respectivamente], apesar de todos terem sido submetidos ao SR durante a internação na UTI. O estudo demonstrou que as disnatremias são altamente prevalentes em pacientes com IRA e necessidade de diálise na UTI. Diferente do que tem sido demonstrado na população de UTI e na com DRC, a hipernatremia é o distúrbio do sódio mais frequentemente observado na população estudada. A idade mais avançada, a admissão clínica, o número de comorbidades e o número de disfunções orgânicas e a hipernatremia grave estão associados a um pior desfecho na IRA com necessidade de SR na UTI. / Dysnatremias are the most common electrolyte disorder reported in about 30-40 % of hospitalized patients. When present at Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission are independent risk factors of poor prognosis and associated with an increased hospital mortality. Even borderline dysnatremias (130-135 mEq/L in hyponatremia and 145-150 mEq/L in hypernatremia) has been associated with increased hospital mortality and a longer ICU stay, regardless of the severity of the underlying disease.Serum sodium concentration is maintained by a precise renal control of salt and water. Patients with dialytic and non-dialytic chronic kidney disease (CKD) have a higher prevalence of dysnatremia comparing with the non-CKD population. Hyponatremia is more frequently observed, although both hypo- and hypernatremia have been associated with an increased mortality in this population. To the best of our knowledge, there is no clear report of dysnatremia prevalence in acute kidney injury (AKI), specially in severe AKI in-need of renal replacement therapy (RRT), neither consistent information on its impact on outcomes in this population. The present study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of dysnatremia and its impact on the prognosis of critically ill patients with Acute Kidney Injury (AKI ) in-need of RRT in the ICU. From December 2004 to July 2008 all patients who started on renal support at 14 ICUs in 3 tertiary hospitals in Rio de Janeiro were prospectively included. Clinical and laboratory data were entered into a spreadsheet and analyzed later with the software R. The dependent variables were ICU and hospital mortality. Variables that, additional to serum sodium concentration, presented association with outcomes in the bivariate analysis were selected the included in the multiple logistic regression model . A total of 772 patients were included in the study. The median age was 75 [IQI; 61-82 yo]; 81.5% (CI: 78.4-84%) were clinical ICU admissions. Eighty four percent of patients had at least one comorbidity (hypertension, diabetes, coronary disease, heart insufficiency, chronic pulmonary disease or cirrhosis) and 72.5% (CI: 69.2-75.7%) had sepsis. The main factors contributing to AKI were sepsis (72 %) and ischaemia/shock (66 %). ICU and hospital mortality were respectively 64.6 % (CI: 61.1 %-68 %) and 69.7 % (CI: 66.3 % -72.9 %). Dysnatremia was frequently observed being present in 47.3 % (CI: 43.7 %-50.9 %) of the study population. In multivariate analysis, older age, clinical admission, number of comorbidities, and the number of organ dysfunctions were associated with an increased hospital mortality. Patient with severe hypernatremia (serum sodium above 155 mEq/L) showed a higher association with ICU and hospital mortality (adjusted odds ratio 3:39 (CI 1.48 to 7.8 ) and 2.87 (CI 1.2 to 6.89), respectively), despite all patients had underwent RRT.The present study demonstrated that dysnatremia are highly prevalent in AKI in-need of RRT in the ICU. Hypernatremia is the main sodium disturbance contrasting with the reported in CKD and ICU populations. Older age, clinical admission, number of comorbidities and severe hypernatremia are associated with a worse ICU and hospital outcome in AKI patients in-need of RRT in the ICU.

As disnatremias são os distúrbios hidroeletrolíticos mais comuns, sendo relatados em cerca de 30-40% dos pacientes hospitalizados. Quando presentes na admissão em Unidade de Tratamento Intensivo (UTI) são fatores de risco independentes de pior prognóstico, estando associadas à maior letalidade hospitalar. Mesmo disnatremias limítrofes (130 135 mEq/l na hiponatremia e 145 a 150 mEq/L na hipernatremia) têm sido associadas a um maior tempo de internação na UTI e a um aumento de letalidade hospitalar, independente da gravidade da doença de base. A concentração sérica do sódio é mantida por um fino controle, por meio da regulação renal do sal e da água. Pacientes com doença renal crônica (DRC) em tratamento conservador ou em terapia renal substitutiva, apresentam maior prevalência de disnatremia. Embora a hiponatremia seja mais frequente nessa população, o diagnóstico de hipo- ou hipernatremia tem sido associado a uma maior mortalidade. Não há relato claro na literatura da prevalência de disnatremias na injúria renal aguda (IRA), em especial nos casos mais graves, em que há indicação de suporte dialítico. O presente estudo teve como objetivos avaliar a prevalência da disnatremia e o seu impacto no prognóstico de pacientes gravemente enfermos com IRA e necessidade de suporte renal (SR) na UTI.Em um período de 44 meses (de dezembro de 2004 a julho 2008) foram incluídos de forma prospectiva todos os pacientes que iniciaram SR em 14 UTIs de 3 hospitais terciários do Rio de Janeiro. Dados clínicos e laboratoriais foram coletados prospectivamente e lançados em uma planilha eletrônica para posterior análise com o software R. Os desfechos de interesse foram letalidade na UTI e no hospital. As variáveis que, além do sódio, apresentavam associação com os desfechos de interesse na análise bivariada, foram selecionadas e incluídas no modelo de regressão logística múltipla.Um total de 772 pacientes foram incluídos no estudo. A mediana da idade foi de 75 [IIQ: 61-82 anos]; 81,5% (IC: 78,4%-84%) foram admitidos na UTI por complicações clínicas. A presença de pelo menos uma comorbidade (hipertensão, diabetes, doença coronariana, insuficiência cardíaca, doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica ou cirrose) esteve presente em 84% dos pacientes. A maior parte dos pacientes (72,5%, IC: 69,2%-75,7%) apresentava o diagnóstico de sepse. Os principais fatores contribuinte para IRA foram sepse (72%) e isquemia/choque (66%). A mortalidade na UTI foi de 64,6% (IC: 61,1%-68%) e a hospitalar foi de 69,7% (IC: 66,3%-72,9%). O diagnóstico de disnatremia foi frequente, estando presente em 47,3% (IC: 43,7%-50,9%) dos pacientes. A hipernatremia foi significantemente mais frequente do que a hiponatremia (33,7% X 13,6%, p=0.001) na população estudada. Na análise multivariada, os pacientes mais idosos, a admissão clínica, o número de comorbidades e o número de disfunções orgânicas estiveram associados a uma maior letalidade hospitalar. Os paciente com hipernatremia grave (>155 mEq/l) apresentaram maior associação com o óbito na UTI e no hospital [odds ratio (OR) ajustado de 3.39 (1,48-7,8) e 2,87 (1,2-6,89), respectivamente], apesar de todos terem sido submetidos ao SR durante a internação na UTI. O estudo demonstrou que as disnatremias são altamente prevalentes em pacientes com IRA e necessidade de diálise na UTI. Diferente do que tem sido demonstrado na população de UTI e na com DRC, a hipernatremia é o distúrbio do sódio mais frequentemente observado na população estudada. A idade mais avançada, a admissão clínica, o número de comorbidades e o número de disfunções orgânicas e a hipernatremia grave estão associados a um pior desfecho na IRA com necessidade de SR na UTI. / Dysnatremias are the most common electrolyte disorder reported in about 30-40 % of hospitalized patients. When present at Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission are independent risk factors of poor prognosis and associated with an increased hospital mortality. Even borderline dysnatremias (130-135 mEq/L in hyponatremia and 145-150 mEq/L in hypernatremia) has been associated with increased hospital mortality and a longer ICU stay, regardless of the severity of the underlying disease.Serum sodium concentration is maintained by a precise renal control of salt and water. Patients with dialytic and non-dialytic chronic kidney disease (CKD) have a higher prevalence of dysnatremia comparing with the non-CKD population. Hyponatremia is more frequently observed, although both hypo- and hypernatremia have been associated with an increased mortality in this population. To the best of our knowledge, there is no clear report of dysnatremia prevalence in acute kidney injury (AKI), specially in severe AKI in-need of renal replacement therapy (RRT), neither consistent information on its impact on outcomes in this population. The present study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of dysnatremia and its impact on the prognosis of critically ill patients with Acute Kidney Injury (AKI ) in-need of RRT in the ICU. From December 2004 to July 2008 all patients who started on renal support at 14 ICUs in 3 tertiary hospitals in Rio de Janeiro were prospectively included. Clinical and laboratory data were entered into a spreadsheet and analyzed later with the software R. The dependent variables were ICU and hospital mortality. Variables that, additional to serum sodium concentration, presented association with outcomes in the bivariate analysis were selected the included in the multiple logistic regression model . A total of 772 patients were included in the study. The median age was 75 [IQI; 61-82 yo]; 81.5% (CI: 78.4-84%) were clinical ICU admissions. Eighty four percent of patients had at least one comorbidity (hypertension, diabetes, coronary disease, heart insufficiency, chronic pulmonary disease or cirrhosis) and 72.5% (CI: 69.2-75.7%) had sepsis. The main factors contributing to AKI were sepsis (72 %) and ischaemia/shock (66 %). ICU and hospital mortality were respectively 64.6 % (CI: 61.1 %-68 %) and 69.7 % (CI: 66.3 % -72.9 %). Dysnatremia was frequently observed being present in 47.3 % (CI: 43.7 %-50.9 %) of the study population. In multivariate analysis, older age, clinical admission, number of comorbidities, and the number of organ dysfunctions were associated with an increased hospital mortality. Patient with severe hypernatremia (serum sodium above 155 mEq/L) showed a higher association with ICU and hospital mortality (adjusted odds ratio 3:39 (CI 1.48 to 7.8 ) and 2.87 (CI 1.2 to 6.89), respectively), despite all patients had underwent RRT.The present study demonstrated that dysnatremia are highly prevalent in AKI in-need of RRT in the ICU. Hypernatremia is the main sodium disturbance contrasting with the reported in CKD and ICU populations. Older age, clinical admission, number of comorbidities and severe hypernatremia are associated with a worse ICU and hospital outcome in AKI patients in-need of RRT in the ICU.

O presente estudo é resultado de uma pesquisa de revisão integrativa, cujo objetivo geral é sintetizar a contribuição de pesquisas nacionais e internacionais referentes à hipotermia não induzida em pacientes graves e as possíveis complicações desencadeadas no período pós-operatório. O material do estudo foi constituído de artigos publicados nos periódicos nacionais e internacionais, no período de 2001 a 2011 e indexados nas seguintes bases de dados: CINAHL, EMBASE, LILACS, PUBMED e SCIELO e por Teses catalogadas no sistema DEDALUS no mesmo período. Os artigos selecionados totalizam 17 Artigos e 02 Teses. Estes artigos e Teses foram catalogados e chamados de A e T respectivamente. Foram elaborados três formulários: o formulário A, composto pelos seguintes itens: identificação dos artigos, autores, título da pesquisa, fonte e origem, já o formulário B, contém itens que detalham os artigos encontrados, isto é, tipo de estudo, finalidades/objetivos, descrição do estudo, resultados obtidos e conclusões, e o formulário C, que contém a identificação das teses, autor, título da pesquisa, ano de publicação e local. Realizadas as análises, foram encontradas as seguintes complicações mais frequentes causadas pela hipotermia não induzida: cardiovascular (vasoconstrição periférica, isquemia miocárdica, hipertensão arterial, taquicardia e trombose venosa profunda); coagulopatia (diminuição da coagulação em 10% e ativação plaquetária); infecção da ferida operatória (diminuição da circulação sanguínea nos tecidos); imunológica (aumento da incidência de infecção no local cirúrgico); alterações hidroeletrolíticas (hipocalemia, hipomagnesemia e hipofosfatemia); alteração na eliminação dos medicamentos (diminuição da circulação sanguínea e dificuldade de eliminação dos fármacos); tremor; úlcera por pressão (diminuição da circulação sanguínea e diminuição da perfusão periférica); dificuldade respiratória; alterações endócrino-metabólicas (diminuição de corticoides e da insulina, aumento da resistência periférica a insulina e do hormônio tireotrófico, hiperglicemia e hipoglicemia); aumento do tempo de recuperação. Apesar do conhecimento teórico sobre a hipotermia e suas complicações, surge um questionamento: o que nos leva a subestimar a hipotermia não induzida? / The present study is the result of an integrative research review whose objective is to summarize the contributions of national and international research related to non-induced hypothermia in critically ill patients and the possible complications triggered in the postoperative period. The study material consists of articles published in national and international journals indexed in the following databases: CINAHL, EMBASE, LILACS, PUBMED and SCIELO in the period between 2001 and 2011 and of theses cataloged in the DEDALUS database in the same period. The selected material totaled 17 articles and 02 theses. They were cataloged and named A and T respectively. Three forms were created: A, B and C. Form A contains items which detail the identification of the article, its authors, title, source and origin; Form B details the study type, its purposes/objectives, description, results and conclusions; and Form C contains the identification of the thesis, its author, title, publication year and location. Having performed the analyzes, we found the following most frequent postoperative complications caused by non-induced hypothermia: cardiovascular problems (peripheral vasoconstriction, myocardial ischemia, hypertension, tachycardia and deep vein thrombosis); coagulopathy (10% decrease in coagulation and platelet activation); wound infections (decrease in blood flow to tissues); immunological complications (increase in incidence of surgical site infections); electrolyte changes (hypokalemia, hypomagnesaemia and hypophosphatemia); changes in the elimination of drugs (decrease in blood flow and difficulty of removing drugs); trembling; pressure ulcers (decrease in blood flow and decrease in peripheral perfusion); breathing difficulty; endocrine-metabolic changes (decrease of corticosteroids and of insulin, increase of peripheral resistance to insulin and thyroid stimulating hormone, hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia); and increase in recovery time. Despite the theoretical knowledge of hypothermia and its complications, a question arises: what makes us underestimate the non-induced hypothermia?

Children need help to understand and manage when a close relative is critically ill or dying. The purpose of the literature study was to highlight children’s reactions when a close relative is gravely ill. The method used was a general literature study where ten scientific articles where analyzed and reviewed. The results were compiled in two themes: Experiences when life is threatened and To cope when life is threatened. Children with a critically ill relative are in great need of being met and supported by nurses in a professional manner. This is based  on knowledge and understanding of how children can experience, and how children cope in difficult situations like these. The results show that children take on great responsibility and often set themselves aside to help the ill and that many of the children experience the threat of loss as a constant fear. The result of the study can be used by nurses, in the clinical setting, who meet children with a critically ill family member to increase knowledge about the subject.

The A&E unit is a unique environment with unique problems, including those problems pertaining to the documentation of the nursing care provided to the critically ill or injured patient. In such a hectic and turbulent environment where minutes can be the decider between life and death, saving the patient’s life takes priority over record keeping, and crucial information is not recorded. The aim of this study was to develop a nursing record tool to record the management of critically ill or injured patients in an accident and emergency (A&E) unit. The researcher used the collaborative inputs of three different groups of experts in the field of A&E nursing and record keeping to reach this aim. The study was descriptive, explorative and contextual in nature, and a qualitative approach was used. The A&E nurse practitioners views were incorporated into a final nursing record tool that could be used in the A&E unit for critically ill or injured patient for the first six hours of resuscitation. The compiled nursing record tool was comprehensive and included a prehospital management section to ensure the continuity of care in the emergency environment. Although more comprehensive as the current tool, the use of tick-off prompts shortened the time spend to complete this nursing record tool and, in doing so, increased the retaining of crucial information that could enhance the quality and ensure the continuity of care pertaining the critically ill or injured patient in the changing emergency environment. / Dissertation (MCur)--University of Pretoria, 2009. / Nursing Science / unrestricted

This descriptive exploratory study was designed to determine the perceived importance of selected needs of family members of critically ill brain-injured patients. In addition, the personal/demographic factors which may have influenced the needs of these family members were investigated, as well as the reasons family members perceived these needs as important or unimportant. A convenience sample of one family member for each of 15 critically ill brain-injured patients was selected from two tertiary care hospitals and the community. Family members were interviewed using a pre-determined interview guide and asked to verbally rate 20 need statements on a four-point Likert-type scale. Generally, family members perceived all 20 needs to be important. However, the importance of each need was influenced by the family members' personal/demographic factors. No significant statistical relationship was found between personal/demographic factors and the family members' perceptions of the importance of selected needs. However, the findings of the study suggest that family members relate their needs to their present experience, and thus individual assessment of family members' needs is crucial. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Nursing, School of / Graduate

This is a study of some of the families in the Loma Linda University Medical Center infant heart transplant program.

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(工学) / 甲第22779号 / 工博第4778号 / 新制||工||1747(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院工学研究科電気工学専攻 / (主査)教授 土居 伸二, 教授 萩原 朋道, 教授 小林 哲生, 教授 古谷 栄光 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Philosophy (Engineering) / Kyoto University / DFAM