Medscape Critical Care Headlines

Preventing Infections due to Intravascular Catheters in Burn Victims

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:04:15 EST

Can medical staff prevent catheter infections in burn victims or are these infections unavoidable?

Education and Support Needs During Recovery in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Survivors

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST

This study focused on identifying the changing needs of ARDS survivors from the ICU to reintegration into community living, providing a framework for support interventions during the recovery process.

FDA Approves Intravenous Sildenafil for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:09:23 EST

Sildenafil injection allows continued treatment of patients unable to take the oral formulation.

H1N1 Flu Wave Peaking in US?

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:39:54 EST

New cases of the H1N1 flu have declined, but deaths and hospitalizations are still rising.

Sen Grassley Questions Top Medical Schools About Ghostwriting

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:48:39 EST

As part of his mission to see more financial transparency in medicine, Sen Grassley has asked eight top US medical schools about their policies on ghostwriting.

Stroke Incidence Related to PCI Steady for 15 Years

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:47:55 EST

Stroke rates related to PCIs have stayed steady for the last 15 years, which is good news given that substantially older, sicker patients with more complex disease are now undergoing PCI.

Unique Malpractice Risks of Ambulatory Surgery Centers

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:06:52 EST

More physicians are setting up ambulatory surgery centers, but there are many malpractice risks that come with having a center. Here is what to watch out for.

Can Laboratory Tests Predict the Prognosis of Patients After Endovascular Aneurysm Repair? Current Status and Future Directions

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST

Can laboratory values predict the prognosis of patients after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR)? This article takes a look.

Heart Rate Characteristics and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Very Low Birth Weight Infants

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST

Neurodevelopmental outcome can be hard to predict in very low birth weight infants - - this noninvasive marker is one more piece of evidence for clinicians.

House Passes Medicare SGR Fix

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:11:22 EST

The House passed a bill that would rewrite the controversial sustainable growth rate formula and eliminate a 21.2% Medicare pay cut for physicians scheduled for 2010.

Initial Antimicrobial Therapy for Septic Shock Is Key to Survival

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:57:25 EST

The initial empiric antimicrobial therapy used to treat septic shock may be the most important determinant of whether a patient will survive to hospital discharge. Inappropriate therapy can reduce the chances of survival by fivefold or more, according to an article in the November issue of Chest.

Platelet Transfusions in NICUs May Cause More Harm Than Good

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:57:24 EST

Platelet transfusions in neonates are associated with increased mortality, even when they're given to treat severe thrombocytopenia, investigators report.

Goal-directed Haemodynamic Therapy and Gastrointestinal Complications in Major Surgery: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST

Investigators performed a meta-analysis to examine the effects of goal-directed hemodynamic therapy on postoperative gastrointestinal and hepatic complications.

New Senate Healthcare Reform Bill Features Public Option With Opt-Out

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:03:45 EST

The Senate bill would cost $849 billion through 2019, but it would ultimately shave $127 billion off the federal deficit while reducing the number of uninsured by 31 million people.

Part 2: The Case of the Emergency Room Physician Who Burned Out: Diagnosing and Treating His Substance Abuse

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:17:28 EST

In part 2 of the new series on the Impaired Physician, substance abuse develops in Dr. X. Is it now time to turn him in?

FDA Warns of Deaths, Injuries Associated With Negative Pressure Wound Therapy

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:06:14 EST

Negative pressure wound therapy has been associated with 6 deaths and 77 serious complications during the past 2 years.

Surgical Masks vs N95 Respirators: Research and Practice

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:36:50 EST

A well-designed study examines the efficacy of surgical masks in protecting healthcare workers against influenza. William R. Jarvis, MD, comments in this video blog.

Characteristics and Outcomes of Trauma Patients With ICU Lengths of Stay 30 Days and Greater: A Seven-Year Retrospective Study

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST

A 7-year retrospective study evaluated the characteristics and outcomes of trauma patients with lengths of stay 30 days and longer, focusing on predictors of prolonged stay and mortality.

Patient Flow Variability and Unplanned Readmissions to an Intensive Care Unit

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST

This study examined whether high patient inflow volumes to an intensive care unit are associated with unplanned readmissions to the unit.

Infection With Community-Onset Staphylococcus aureus and Influenza Virus in Hospitalized Children

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST

The worst outcomes of influenza in children occur in those with bacterial coinfections. This research has implications for the current H1N1 influenza pandemic.