Problem investigated: The activation and implementation of the Medical Emergency Team (MET) system. Procedures followed: The ability of the objective activation criteria to accurately identify patients at risk of three serious adverse events (cardiac arrest, unexpected death and unplanned intensive care admission) was assessed using a nested, matched case-control study. Sensitivity, specificity and Receiver Operating Characteristic curve (ROC) analyses were performed. The MET implementation process was studied using two convenience sample surveys of the nursing staff from the general wards of twelve intervention hospitals. These surveys measured the awareness and understanding of the MET system, level of attendance at MET education sessions, knowledge of the activation criteria, level of intention to call the MET and overall attitude to the MET system, and the hospital level of support for change, hospital capability and hospital culture. The association of these measures with the intention to call the MET and the level of MET utilisation was assessed using nonparametric correlation. Results obtained: The respiratory rate was missing in 20% of subjects. Using listwise deletion, the set of objective activation criteria investigated predicted an adverse event within 24 hours with a sensitivity of 55.4% (50.6-60.0%) and specificity of 93.7% (91.2-95.6%). An analysis approach that assumed the missing values would not have resulted in MET activation provided a sensitivity of 50.4% (45.7- 55.2%) and specificity of 93.3% (90.8-95.3%). Alternative models with modified cut-off values provided different results. The MET system was implemented with variable success during the MERIT study. Knowledge and understanding of the system, hospital readiness, and a positive attitude were all significantly positively associated with MET system utilisation, while defensive hospital cultures were negatively associated with the level of MET system utilisation. Major conclusions: The objective activation criteria studied have acceptable accuracy, but modification of the criteria may be considered. A satisfactory trade-off between the identification of patients at risk and workload requirements may be difficult to achieve. Measures of effectiveness of the implementation process may be associated with the level of MET system utilisation. Trials of the MET system should ensure good knowledge and understanding of the system, particularly amongst nursing staff.

Problem investigated: The activation and implementation of the Medical Emergency Team (MET) system. Procedures followed: The ability of the objective activation criteria to accurately identify patients at risk of three serious adverse events (cardiac arrest, unexpected death and unplanned intensive care admission) was assessed using a nested, matched case-control study. Sensitivity, specificity and Receiver Operating Characteristic curve (ROC) analyses were performed. The MET implementation process was studied using two convenience sample surveys of the nursing staff from the general wards of twelve intervention hospitals. These surveys measured the awareness and understanding of the MET system, level of attendance at MET education sessions, knowledge of the activation criteria, level of intention to call the MET and overall attitude to the MET system, and the hospital level of support for change, hospital capability and hospital culture. The association of these measures with the intention to call the MET and the level of MET utilisation was assessed using nonparametric correlation. Results obtained: The respiratory rate was missing in 20% of subjects. Using listwise deletion, the set of objective activation criteria investigated predicted an adverse event within 24 hours with a sensitivity of 55.4% (50.6-60.0%) and specificity of 93.7% (91.2-95.6%). An analysis approach that assumed the missing values would not have resulted in MET activation provided a sensitivity of 50.4% (45.7- 55.2%) and specificity of 93.3% (90.8-95.3%). Alternative models with modified cut-off values provided different results. The MET system was implemented with variable success during the MERIT study. Knowledge and understanding of the system, hospital readiness, and a positive attitude were all significantly positively associated with MET system utilisation, while defensive hospital cultures were negatively associated with the level of MET system utilisation. Major conclusions: The objective activation criteria studied have acceptable accuracy, but modification of the criteria may be considered. A satisfactory trade-off between the identification of patients at risk and workload requirements may be difficult to achieve. Measures of effectiveness of the implementation process may be associated with the level of MET system utilisation. Trials of the MET system should ensure good knowledge and understanding of the system, particularly amongst nursing staff.

Syfte: Studiens syfte var att jämföra en ny extubationsalgoritm med sedvanligtextubationsförfarande. Gruppen som studerades var patienter som genomgått en HIPEC-operationoch vårdats på Centrala intensivvårdsavdelningen. Metod: I En randomiserad kontrollerad klinisk pilotstudie randomiserades patienterna till en av tvågrupper. Därefter extuberades patienten enligt en studiealgoritm eller post-operativ standard. Resultat: Syresättningen var väsentligen oförändrad för studiegruppen (37,5 kPa till 36,6 kPa)medan den sjönk för kontrollgruppen (50,1 kPa till 40,6 kPa) vid jämförelse mellan 10 minuter efterankomst och 15 minuter efter extubation. Efter 13 till 18 timmars kontroll strax innan patienternalämnade intensivvårdsavdelningen var syresättningen på samma nivå som 15 minuter efterextubation för både studiegruppen och kontrollgrupp. Således kvarstod en försämrad syresättninghos kontrollgruppen vid utskrivning jämfört med 10 minuter efter ankomst. Slutsats: Studien visar att det skulle kunna vara fördelaktigt att extubera patienter enligt denstudiealgoritm som testats jämfört med dagens kliniska standard. Genom att fokusera på hur och ejnär extubationen ska ske är förhoppningen att denna studie kan bidra till att förbättra en procedursom i princip saknar konsensus. Mer forskning krävs för att kunna dra några generella slutsatser omresultatet. / Aim: To compare a new method of extubation with present standard procedure at the Central ICUafter HIPEC surgery. Method: In a randomized controlled study patients were randomized into two groups. Patients wereeither extubated according to a study algorithm based on best current knowledge, or according tostandard procedure. Results: The oxygenation remained on the same level in the study group (37,5 kPa to 36,6 kPa) butdecreased in the control group from 50,1 kPa to 40,6 kPa from 10 minutes after arrival to 15minutes after extubation. After 13 to 18 hours, just before the discharge from the ICU theoxygenation in both groups was at the same level as 15 minutes after extubation. Thus a decrease inoxygenation in the control group was found at discharge compared to 10 minutes after arrival in theICU. Conclusion: The result of the study showed that it may be benificial to extubate according to thestudy algorithm compared to present standard procedure. By directing focus from when to how theextubation is made, this study may contribute to the improvement of a clinical procedure that iscurrently lacking in scientific consencus. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings.

The prevalence of psychiatric symptoms in next-of-kin (NOK) of intensive care unit (ICU) patients has been reported at higher than 70% when screening is performed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). The primary purpose of this study was to assess the ability of the HADS to predict psychiatric illness, diagnosed with the aide of a validated tool, the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID). In addition, we asked NOK to rate aspects of the ICU experience to determine possible associations with psychiatric diagnosis. Thirty-four NOK were enrolled in this study from July 2006 to November 2006. Subjects were interviewed to gather demographic information, their perception of the ICU experience, and to administer the SCID and the HADS. At least 6 months later, subjects were contacted by telephone to determine presence of psychiatric morbidity after the ICU experience. Fifty-six percent of all NOK experienced symptoms of either anxiety or depression during the ICU admission and 24% had psychiatric illness. The HADS had 100% sensitivity and 58% specificity when used as a screening tool for psychiatric diagnosis. Those with any SCID diagnosis were more likely to be a spouse (50% vs. 9%, p = 0.013) or a primary caregiver (60% vs. 8%, p = 0.003). Most NOK identified the healthcare team as supportive, though a subgroup of NOK who slept in the ICU reported that they found the healthcare team less supportive. This small study suggests the HADS is able to predict psychiatric illness in NOK of ICU patients. The ability to implement this tool as part of clinical practice to better meet the needs of families in the ICU warrants further investigation.

Thesis (MCur (Nursing Science))--University of Pretoria, 2009. / Summary in English. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (MCur (Nursing Science))--University of Pretoria, 2009. / Summary in English. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2002. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references. Available also from UMI Company.

published_or_final_version / Public Health / Master / Master of Public Health

Hospital-acquired, or nosocomial infections (HAIs) are the major source of mortality and morbidity for hospitalized patients. It is estimated that 7-10% patients developed HAIs during their hospital stays, with most patients got infected from intensive care units (ICU) [1,2]. Hand hygiene (HH) is recognized as the most easy and effective way to prevent HAIs. However, the observed hand hygiene compliance rates among healthcare workers (HCWs) have been regarded as unacceptably low, especially in ICU [3]. This literature review is to discuss the factors influencing the hand hygiene compliance among HCWs in ICU, in both the individual and institutional level, and suggest which factor was important in both levels. Recommendations in comprehensive approach on hand hygiene practices will also be included. / published_or_final_version / Public Health / Master / Master of Public Health

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