OBJECTIVETo study the efficacy of endotracheal lavage in neonatal ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP).

METHODSFifty-eight neonates with VAP between January 2002 and December 2008 were randomly assigned to two groups: lavage and control (n=29 each). After withdrawal from ventilator, both groups received sensitive antibiotics therapy according to sputum culture results as well as supportive treatment. The lavage group was additionally treated with endotracheal lavage (2-3 times daily). The therapeutic effects were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSThere were no significant differences in the average time of mechanical ventilation between the lavage and the control groups. The effective rate in the lavage group (93%) was significantly higher than that in the control group (69%; p<0.05). Three percent of patients in the lavage group required twice or more mechanical ventilation compared with 24% in the control group (p<0.05). Blood gas analysis results were obviously improved in the lavage group 2 hrs after treatment (p<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSEndotracheal lavage can decrease the number in mechanical ventilation and improve therapeutic effects in neonates with VAP.

Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Pneumonia, Ventilator-Associated ; epidemiology ; therapy ; Respiration, Artificial ; statistics & numerical data ; Therapeutic Irrigation ; methods ; Trachea

PURPOSE: To survey the use of invasive and noninvasive home mechanical ventilation (HMV) methods in South Korea from the perspective of physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R). MATERIALS AND METHODS: For 413 users of HMV, retrospective reviews of PM&R interventions and survey of HMV methods employed from Mar 2000 to Dec 2009. RESULTS: Of the 413 users, the majority of whom with progressive neuromuscular disorders (NMDs) (n=358), 284 patients initially used noninvasive mechanical ventilation (NIV), while 63 others who were using tracheostomy mechanical ventilation switched to NIV as part of their rehabilitation. The NMD patients began HMV at an earlier age (34.9+/-20.3 yrs), and used for longer (14.7+/-7.5) hours than patients with non-neuromuscular causes of respiratory impairment. CONCLUSION: Noninvasive management was preferred over invasive ones, and transition to the former was a result of PM&R interventions.
Adult ; Female ; Health Care Surveys ; Home Care Services/*statistics & numerical data ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Muscular Dystrophies/*therapy ; Neuromuscular Diseases/therapy ; Republic of Korea ; Respiration, Artificial/*statistics & numerical data ; Retrospective Studies ; Ventilators, Mechanical/*statistics & numerical data

BACKGROUNDElevating the head of bed (HOB) 30° - 45° has been widely supported as a means of ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) prevention. However, it was poorly adhered in clinical practice. This observational study aimed to investigate the factors impeding this simple practice at the bedside.

METHODSThis prospective study was conducted in 33 Chinese academic hospital intensive care units (ICUs). HOB angle was measured four times daily at 5 - 7 hour intervals. The predefined HOB elevation goal was an angle ≥ 30°.

RESULTSThe overall rate of achieving the HOB goal was 27.8% of the 8647 measurements in 314 patients during 2842 ventilation days. The HOB goal of ≥ 3 times/d was consistently achieved only in 15.9% of the cases. Almost 60% of patients had at least one 24 hours period during which the HOB goal was never documented. This low rate of protocol compliance was not associated with acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) II score or dependence on vasopressors. In a survey, "nurse workload" was identified as the most important factor for non-compliance with the HOB goal. In addition, the rates of compliance were significantly different (P < 0.001) between physicians self-reporting that they either did or did not know the Institutes of Healthcare Improvement (IHI) ventilator bundle.

CONCLUSIONSLow adherence to a HOB angle of ≥ 30° was found in this nationwide survey. Nursing workload and lack of knowledge on VAP prevention were important barriers to changing this practice.

Adult ; Aged ; China ; Female ; Guideline Adherence ; statistics & numerical data ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units ; statistics & numerical data ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pneumonia, Ventilator-Associated ; prevention & control ; Respiration, Artificial ; statistics & numerical data

PURPOSE: The purpose of this methodological study was to examine the reliability and validity of a translated Korean version of the Critical Care Pain Observation Tool (CPOT) developed for assessment of pain in critically ill nonverbal patients. METHODS: A cross-sectional study design was used. Data were collected from a convenience sample of 202 critically ill patients admitted to a university hospital. Upon establishment of content and translation equivalence between the English and Korean version of CPOT, psychometric properties were evaluated. RESULTS: The interrater reliability was found to be acceptable with the weighted kappa coefficients of .81-.88. Significant high correlations between the CPOT and the Checklist of Nonverbal Pain Indicators were found indicating good concurrent validity (r=.72-.83, p<.001). Data showed the area under the ROC curve of 0.86 with a cut-off point of 1, which resulted in 76.9% sensitivity and 88.6% specificity. The mean score of CPOT during suctioning was significantly different from that of before (t=-14.16, p<.001) or 20 minutes after suctioning (t=16.31, p<.001). CONCLUSION: Results of this study suggest that the CPOT can be used as a reliable and valid measure to assess pain in critically ill nonverbal patients.
Adult ; *Critical Care ; Critical Illness ; Female ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units ; Intubation ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pain Measurement/*statistics & numerical data ; Psychometrics ; ROC Curve ; Republic of Korea ; Respiration, Artificial ; Suction ; *Translating

The risk analysis of clinical claims of mechanical ventilator can provide the useful information to the application of the availability and safety of mechanical ventilators. This paper classifies the clinical claims of two types of mechanical ventilations, and tries to find the distribution characteristics of the failure rate of the clinical claims by using the hazard analysis method. All of the distribution characteristics are related to the factors as ventilator design, environment human factors, etc. The method of risk analysis, combining with the classification of clinical claims, is useful for the clinical application and engineering services of mechanical ventilation.
Data Interpretation, Statistical ; Equipment Failure Analysis ; statistics & numerical data ; Humans ; Respiration, Artificial ; adverse effects ; instrumentation ; standards ; Risk Assessment ; Ventilators, Mechanical ; adverse effects ; standards

OBJECTIVEThe aim of this study was to explore the association between acquired multi-drug resistant organism (MDRO) and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in patients hospitalized at the intensive care unit(ICU).

METHODSReal-time monitoring system for hospital infection was used to track VAP patients. The period of study was from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2013. Both a nested case-control study design and logistic multivariable regression model were performed to explore the association.

RESULTSA total of 142 VAP cases and 342 non-VAP controls were available in this study. Duration of Hospital stay, ICU stay and mechanical days were statistically significant between the case and the control group (P≤0.001). Compared with MDRO negative patient, the MDRO colonization or infection patients showed an 3.05-time increase on the risk of VAP (adjusted OR = 4.05, 95% CI:2.51-5.46). Remarkably,MDRO-positive patients were significantly associated with increased duration of mechanical ventilation and antimicrobial drug use (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONMDRO colonized and infection patients would significantly increase the risks of VAP, with prolonged hospitalization and ICU stay. Effective measures should be taken to promote and control patient's safety at the hospital.

Case-Control Studies ; China ; epidemiology ; Cross Infection ; microbiology ; Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units ; Length of Stay ; statistics & numerical data ; Logistic Models ; Multivariate Analysis ; Pneumonia, Ventilator-Associated ; epidemiology ; Respiration, Artificial ; statistics & numerical data ; Time Factors

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Obesity is a worldwide concern, but its influence on critical care outcomes is not well understood. We tested the hypothesis that abnormal body mass index (BMI) would be an independent predictor of higher mortality rates in intensive care unit (ICU). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed patients who had admitted to the ICU from January 2007 to December 2007. Admission BMI was analyzed as both a three categorical (underweight, < 18.5 kg/m2; normal weight, 18.5 to 24.9 kg/m2; overweight and obese, > or = 25 kg/m2) and continuous variables among all patients with an ICU lenth of stay > or = 4 days. The primary outcome was ICU mortality. RESULTS: The multivariate analysis on ICU mortality selected Mortality Prediction Model-Admission (MPM at time zero) (hazard ratio [HR], 1.024; p = 0.001; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.010 to 1.037), failed extubation (HR, 5.092; p = 0.0001; 95% CI, 2.742 to 9.456) as significant risk factors. When controlling these variables, none of the BMI group and BMI as a continuous variable had an independent association with ICU mortality. CONCLUSIONS: BMI did not have a significant influence on ICU mortality. The ICU mortality was influenced more strongly by severity of illness and failed extubation rather than BMI.
Adult ; Aged ; *Body Mass Index ; Critical Care/*statistics & numerical data ; Critical Illness/*mortality ; Female ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units/statistics & numerical data ; Length of Stay/statistics & numerical data ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Obesity/*mortality ; Prognosis ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Respiration, Artificial/statistics & numerical data ; Severity of Illness Index ; Thinness/mortality

PURPOSE: In highly doses, endosulfan lowers the seizure threshold and elicits central nervous system stimulation, which can result in seizures, respiratory failure, and death. Management of seizure control is essential for survival and prognosis of intoxicated patients. This study assessed whether seizure time was an independent predictor of mortality in patients with endosulfan poisoning. METHODS: This retrospective study enrolled patients with endosulfan poisoning presenting to Masan Samsung Hospital and Gyeongsang National University Hospital from January 2003 to December 2008. The data were collected from clinical records and laboratory files. Using a multivariate logistic analysis, data on the total population was retrospectively analyzed for association with mortality. RESULTS: Of the 24 patients with endosulfan poisoning, nineteen (79.1%) experienced seizure. The patients in the seizure group showed significantly lower Glasgow coma scale score, base excess, bicarbonate, and significant existence of mechanical ventilation, as compared to the non seizure group (n=5). Seizure, Glasgow coma scale score, systolic blood pressure, bicarbonate level, need for respiratory support, pulse rate, respiratory rate, pH, base excess, and seizure time were associated with mortality. The fatality rate of endosulfan poisoning was 54.1% with higher mortality among patients experiencing. Longer seizure time was associated with higher mortality. CONCLUSION: Seizure time can be a significant independent predictor of mortality in patients with acute endosulfan poisoning. Physicians should aggressively treat for seizure control in patients with acute endosulfan poisoning.
Blood Pressure ; Central Nervous System ; Endosulfan ; Glasgow Coma Scale ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Nitroimidazoles ; Prognosis ; Respiration, Artificial ; Respiratory Insufficiency ; Respiratory Rate ; Retrospective Studies ; Seizures ; Statistics as Topic ; Sulfonamides

Knowledge of clinical demographics and outcomes of mechanically ventilated patients is important but there are few prospectively collected data in Korea. The objective of the present study was to describe the current status of mechanically ventilated patients in Korea as of 2010. We analyzed the data of Korean patients (275 patients in 12 Korean intensive care units [ICU]) participating in a multinational prospective cohort study on mechanical ventilation. The most common indication for mechanical ventilation was pneumonia (23%). Pressure-limited ventilation modes were preferred over volume-cycled ventilation modes. Non-invasive positive pressure ventilation was used in only seven (2%) patients as the initial ventilatory support. Median duration of mechanical ventilation was 7 days and ICU mortality was 36%. The multiple logistic regression model revealed that the Simplified Acute Physiology Score II (SAPS II) score at ICU admission (odds ratio [OR], 1.034; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.001-1.036; P=0.033), peak pressure (OR, 1.054; 95% CI, 1.016-1.095; P=0.006), and the number of failed organs (OR, 2.132; 95% CI, 1.634-2.781; P<0.001) were independently associated with ICU mortality. This study provides a snapshot of current practice of mechanical ventilation in Korea.
Acute Disease ; Aged ; Cohort Studies ; Demography ; Female ; Hospital Mortality ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units/*statistics & numerical data ; Length of Stay ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Odds Ratio ; Prognosis ; Prospective Studies ; Republic of Korea ; *Respiration, Artificial ; Respiratory Insufficiency/*diagnosis/epidemiology/mortality ; Sepsis/etiology ; Severity of Illness Index

INTRODUCTIONVentilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a common risk among critically ill ventilated patients. This study aimed to investigate the effects of nurse-led education on: (a) knowledge of and compliance with ventilator care bundle (VCB) practices among intensive care unit (ICU) nurses; and (b) reduction in the rates of VAP post intervention.

METHODSA quasi-experimental design with pretest-posttest evaluation and observation was used to investigate nurses' knowledge of and compliance with VCB practices, and the incidence of VAP. The study was conducted among 71 nurses, and the intervention involved structured education on VAP and its prevention using VCB in an ICU setting. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

RESULTSNurse-led education significantly increased nurses' knowledge of (t[70] = -36.19; p < 0.001) and compliance with (t[65] = -21.41; p < 0.001) VCB practices. The incidence of VAP, which was 39 per 1,000 ventilator days during the two-month period before intervention, dropped to 15 per 1,000 ventilator days during the two-month period following intervention.

CONCLUSIONOur findings show that nurse-led education on VAP and VCB significantly increased knowledge of and compliance with VCB practices among ICU nurses, and was associated with a reduction in the incidence of VAP among intubated and mechanically ventilated ICU patients. Inclusion of recent knowledge and evidence-based VCB guidelines for VAP prevention when educating anaesthetists, nurses, physiotherapists and other healthcare providers in the critical care setting is recommended.

Adult ; Clinical Competence ; Critical Care ; methods ; standards ; Critical Illness ; Education, Nursing ; Education, Nursing, Continuing ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units ; standards ; statistics & numerical data ; Male ; Nursing ; standards ; Pneumonia, Ventilator-Associated ; prevention & control ; Respiration, Artificial ; standards ; Ventilators, Mechanical ; standards ; Young Adult