A new study published in Pediatric Critical Care Medicine found that children with chronic illnesses are more likely to develop severe H1N1 infections. With careful management, pediatric ICUs can meet increased demands during a pandemic. Researchers also modeled PICU surge capacity and found it should be adequate with adaptable planning.
The Surviving Sepsis Campaign has been shown to improve sepsis treatment, with a significant increase in compliance with performance measures and a decline in hospital mortality rates from 37% to 30.8%. The campaign's updated guidelines are endorsed by 18 professional societies and hospital networks globally.
A recent supplement to Critical Care Medicine outlines progress made in end-of-life care in intensive care units (ICU), with a focus on palliative care, quality indicators, and family communication. The study suggests that improving end-of-life care in ICUs can lead to better patient outcomes and reduced suffering.
The study found annual cost savings ranging from $510,000 to $13 million for different ICU bed sizes, with a best-case scenario demonstrating up to $4.2-$13 million in savings. Implementing intensivist staffing can also reduce hospital mortality by 30% and potentially save 162,000 lives annually.
Two new sets of guidelines aim to enhance patient safety by establishing formalized plans for inter- and intrahospital transport of critically ill patients. The guidelines recommend regular evaluation and refinement using standard quality improvement processes to minimize risks and improve outcomes.