Mise en place d'un protocole d'insulinothérapie intraveineuse sûr et efficace hors des soins intensifs. [Establishing a protocol for safe intravenous insulin therapy and effective outside intensive care.]

Introductionþ: L'insulinothérapie intraveineuse est la mieux adaptée pour obtenirun contrôle glycémique rapidement efficace ou lors de besoins en insulinechangeants de façon peu prévisible, mais son emploi hors des soins intensifs seheurte souvent aux manque de formation et réticences des soignants. L'inclusionL'inclusiondu contrôle glycémique rapide dans nos standards institutionnels de priseen charge de l'AVC aigu a suscité une demande de protocole thérapeutiqueadapté aux besoins de l'Unité cérébrovasculaire.Patients et méthodesþ: Le protocole d'insulinothérapie a été dérivé d'algorithmespubliés intégrant glycémie actuelle, cinétique glycémique et sensibilité àl'insuline du patient. Aux repas, une augmentation du débit d'insuline iv. pendant1 h a été ajoutée. Les objectifs glycémiques étaient 4-6þmmol/l en préprandialetþ< 8þmmol/l en postprandial. L'implémentation s'est faite à travers unprocessus de co-construction (outils de gestion, documents et activités de formation)avec les responsables médico-infirmiers du service.Résultatsþ: Les données des 90 premiers patients ont été analysées (diabète connuþ:38, hyperglycémie nouvelleþ: 52, 2715h de traitement cumulées). Les duréesd'insulinothérapie iv. étaient de 34,5 h [interquartile 24-39] et 26,5 h [21-36,3] respectivement(pþ=þ0,03), les délais d'atteinte de l'objectif de 5 h [4.0-8.25] et 7 h[4.0-9.75] (pþ=þns.). Pendant les 24 h suivantes, les taux de glycémies dans la cibleétaient de 70,4þ%/81,3þ% (90,3þ%/94,6þ% entre 4-8þmmol/l), avec un faible tauxd'hypoglycémies (3,9þ%/3,1þ%þ< 4,0þmmol/l, 0,4þ%/0,2þ%þ<þ3,3þmmol/l) et un contrôleglycémique postprandial comparable (excursions +2,6þmmol/l [0,7-3,9] et+1,7þmmol/l [0,6-3,7]þ; Nþ=þ75þ; pþ=þns.).Conclusionþ: L'insulinothérapie intraveineuse hors des soins intensifs est faisable,hautement sûre et efficace, même avec des objectifs glycémiques particulièrementstricts. Outre la fiabilité perçue de l'outil de gestion, la démarche departenariat adoptée avec les soignants, permettant la prise en compte de leurspréoccupations à chaque étape du processus, a été un facteur de succès importantpour son implémentation.

Programme de suivi de deuil pour des parents ayant un enfant décédé dans une unité de soins intensifs pédiatriques

Travail dirigé présenté à la Faculté des études supérieures et postdoctorales en vue de l’obtention du grade de Maîtrise ès sciences (M. Sc.) en sciences infirmières, option expertise-conseil

Morbimortalidad neonatal de los pretérminos de la unidad de cuidados intensivos de la Fundación Santafé de Bogotá

Introducción: El manejo de los neonatos pretermino en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos (UCIN) de la Fundación Santafé sigue protocolos internacionales, sin embargo no se conoce si las estadísticas internacionales se correlacionan con las locales. El estudio pretende determinar la morbimortalidad en esta población de pretérminos, buscar si existen factores de riesgo asociados a esta y plantear propuestas para mejorar en los cuidados de los pacientes. Materiales y Métodos: Estudio descriptivo de corte Transversal, que incluyó neonatos preterminos menores de 1500 gr que hubieran estado hospitalizados en la UCIN en un periodo de 5 años desde enero del 2005 a diciembre de 2009. Se analizo la información estadísticamente y se buscaron diferencias entre los grupos que presentaron mortalidad y los que sobrevivieron. Resultados: Fueron recolectadas 106 historias clínicas, murieron (12,3%) y sobrevivieron (87,7%). La diferencia entre el peso medio fue de 387 gramos (IC95% 245.5 a 528,5; p<0,05), mayor en los que sobrevivieron que en los que murieron; al igual que la diferencia entre las semanas de gestación fue de 2 semanas (IC95% 0.7 a 3,3; p<0,05) también mayor en los sobrevivientes. La principal indicación de parto fue Ruptura Prematura de Membranas (23,1% y 25,8% respectivamente) y el 87,7% fue diagnosticado con Enfermedad de Membrana Hialina. Conclusión: La Fundación Santafé presenta estadísticas de mortalidad de preterminos muy por debajo del nivel mundial, pero debido a la falta de seguimiento de los pacientes que egresan no es posible la comparación con los datos de los estudios encontrados en la literatura.

Análise dos comportamentos de aproximação e retraimento de pré-termos de risco evidenciados em uma unidade de terapia intensiva neonatal

Os cuidados em neonatologia têm se intensificado nos últimos anos no que tange as condições de prematuridade e do baixo peso ao nascimento, especialmente em relação à saúde, crescimento e desenvolvimento das crianças submetidas a esta condição de risco. Um dos pontos relevantes das pesquisas em neonatologia condiz à observação comportamental dos sinais emitidos pelo funcionamento do organismo do prematuro, que possivelmente revelam o nível de organização ou de desorganização do seu organismo como um todo, tornando possível predizer futuros déficits. Desde 1978, uma pesquisadora americana, Heidelise Als, juntamente com um grupo de colaboradores, iniciaram diversas pesquisas sobre o comportamento e assistência ao prematuro de baixo peso, as quais enfatizam uma prática diferenciada de cuidados para o desenvolvimento utilizando como base a Teoria Síncrono Ativa do Desenvolvimento (TSAD), que permitiu o registro e elaboração de cuidados individualizados para promoção do desenvolvimento de bebês prematuro, refletindo em ganhos para um desenvolvimento efetivo das diferentes funções do organismo, em particular as áreas cognitivo-motora e comportamental. Desta forma, o presente estudo tem como objetivo quantificar os comportamentos que são mais evidentes no contexto de uma UTIN, e quais os mecanismos ambientais que favorecem a manifestação dos mesmos, a fim de traçar os cuidados para o desenvolvimento de acordo com a realidade apresentada na UTIN. A pesquisa foi planejada a partir de um pré-projeto, o qual possibilitou o registro em 19 amostras de crianças para 30 sessões de observação, sendo desenvolvida no período de abril à julho de 2005. A coleta de dados foi realizada em bebês prematuros com baixo peso ao nascimento e com idade gestacional entre 26 a 37 semanas. A mesma utilizou um etograma padrão, baseado na observação comportamental de H. Als, assinalando os eventos ambientais que promoviam determinados comportamentos. A observação foi realizada em um período de 15 minutos por sujeito de cada sessão. Os dados tabulados resultaram em: dados gerais, que constituem as variáveis maternas e dos bebês, e dados específicos, referindo os comportamentos e as interferências ambientais observados. Os dados gerais mantiveram a similaridade com outras pesquisas, apontando as condições sociais desfavoráveis e a predisposição materna a infecções como possíveis fatores predisponentes ao parto prematuro, assim como a situação de prematuridade como agravante da condição de saúde e bem-estar do bebê. Entre os dados específicos, foi possível registrar uma prevalência dos comportamentos de retraimento, que revelam a desorganização do bebê, mediante aos excessos de interferências ambientais, como ruído, manipulação e luminosidade, muito comuns em UTIN. Mediante estes fatos, sugerimos nesta pesquisa as possíveis soluções para amenizar o excesso de manifestações comportamentais desorganizadoras, buscando priorizar os cuidados para o desenvolvimento por meio de práticas utilizadas por H. Als e sua equipe.

Auditory brainstem response in term and preterm infants with neonatal complications: the importance of the sequential evaluation

Introduction Literature data are not conclusive as to the influence of neonatal complications in the maturational process of the auditory system observed by auditory brainstem response (ABR) in infants at term and preterm. Objectives Check the real influence of the neonatal complications in infants by the sequential auditory evaluation. Methods Historical cohort study in a tertiary referral center. A total of 114 neonates met inclusion criteria: treatment at the Universal Neonatal Hearing Screening Program of the local hospital; at least one risk indicator for hearing loss; presence in both evaluations (the first one after hospital discharge from the neonatal unit and the second one at 6 months old); all latencies in ABR and transient otoacoustic emissions present in both ears. Results The complications that most influenced the ABR findings were Apgar scores less than 6 at 5 minutes, gestational age, intensive care unit stay, peri-intraventricular hemorrhage, and mechanical ventilation. Conclusion Sequential auditory evaluation is necessary in premature and term newborns with risk indicators for hearing loss to correctly identify injuries in the auditory pathway.

Nursing care time and quality indicators for adult intensive care: correlation analysis

The objective of this quantitative, correlational and descriptive study was to analyze the time the nursing staff spends to assist patients in Adult Intensive Care Units, as well as to verify its correlation with quality care indicators. The average length of time spent on care and the quality care indicators were identified by consulting management instruments the nursing head of the Unit employs. The average hours of nursing care delivered to patients remained stable, but lower than official Brazilian agencies' indications. The correlation between time of nursing care and the incidence of accidental extubation indicator indicated that it decreases with increasing nursing care delivered by nurses. The results of this investigation showed the influence of nursing care time, provided by nurses, in the outcome of care delivery.

Does the neonatal clinical risk for illness severity influence pain reactivity and recovery in preterm infants?

Background: The biobehavioural pain reactivity and recovery of preterm infants in the neonatal period may reflect the capacity of the central nervous system to regulate neurobiological development. Objective: The aim of the present study was to analyse the influence of the neonatal clinical risk for illness severity on biobehavioural pain reactivity in preterm infants. Methods: Fifty-two preterm infants were allocated into two groups according to neonatal severity of illness, as measured by the Clinical Risk Index for Babies (CRIB). The low clinical risk (LCr) group included 30 neonates with CRIB scores <4, and the high clinical risk (HCr) group included 22 neonates with CRIB scores >= 4. Pain reactivity was assessed during a blood collection, which was divided into five phases (baseline, antisepsis, puncture, recovery-dressing and recovery-resting). Behavioral pain reactivity was measured using the scores, and magnitude of responses in Neonatal Facial Coding System (NFCS) and Sleep-Wake States Scale (SWS). The heart rate was continuously recorded. Results: The HCr demonstrated a higher magnitude of response on the SWS score from the baseline to the puncture phase than the LCr. Also, the HCr exhibited a higher mean heart rate and minimum heart rate than the LCr in the recovery-resting phase. In addition, the HCr exhibited a higher minimum heart rate from the baseline to the recovery-resting phase than the LCr. Conclusion: The infants exhibiting a high neonatal clinical risk showed high arousal during the puncture procedure and higher physiological reactivity in the recovery phase.

Variability in outcome and resource use in intensive care units

OBJECTIVE: To examine variability in outcome and resource use between ICUs. Secondary aims: to assess whether outcome and resource use are related to ICU structure and process, to explore factors associated with efficient resource use. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cohort study, based on the SAPS 3 database in 275 ICUs worldwide. PATIENTS: 16,560 adults. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Outcome was defined by standardized mortality rate (SMR). Standardized resource use (SRU) was calculated based on length of stay in the ICU, adjusted for severity of acute illness. Each unit was assigned to one of four groups: "most efficient" (SMR and SRU < median); "least efficient" (SMR, SRU > median); "overachieving" (low SMR, high SRU), "underachieving" (high SMR, low SRU). Univariate analysis and stepwise logistic regression were used to test for factors separating "most" from "least efficient" units. Overall median SMR was 1.00 (IQR 0.77-1.28) and SRU 1.07 (0.76-1.58). There were 91 "most efficient", 91 "least efficient", 47 "overachieving", and 46 "underachieving" ICUs. Number of physicians, of full-time specialists, and of nurses per bed, clinical rounds, availability of physicians, presence of emergency department, and geographical region were significant in univariate analysis. In multivariate analysis only interprofessional rounds, emergency department, and geographical region entered the model as significant. CONCLUSIONS: Despite considerable variability in outcome and resource use only few factors of ICU structure and process were associated with efficient use of ICU. This suggests that other confounding factors play an important role.

Intensive care for extreme prematurity--moving beyond gestational age.

BACKGROUND: Decisions regarding whether to administer intensive care to extremely premature infants are often based on gestational age alone. However, other factors also affect the prognosis for these patients. METHODS: We prospectively studied a cohort of 4446 infants born at 22 to 25 weeks' gestation (determined on the basis of the best obstetrical estimate) in the Neonatal Research Network of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development to relate risk factors assessable at or before birth to the likelihood of survival, survival without profound neurodevelopmental impairment, and survival without neurodevelopmental impairment at a corrected age of 18 to 22 months. RESULTS: Among study infants, 3702 (83%) received intensive care in the form of mechanical ventilation. Among the 4192 study infants (94%) for whom outcomes were determined at 18 to 22 months, 49% died, 61% died or had profound impairment, and 73% died or had impairment. In multivariable analyses of infants who received intensive care, exposure to antenatal corticosteroids, female sex, singleton birth, and higher birth weight (per each 100-g increment) were each associated with reductions in the risk of death and the risk of death or profound or any neurodevelopmental impairment; these reductions were similar to those associated with a 1-week increase in gestational age. At the same estimated likelihood of a favorable outcome, girls were less likely than boys to receive intensive care. The outcomes for infants who underwent ventilation were better predicted with the use of the above factors than with use of gestational age alone. CONCLUSIONS: The likelihood of a favorable outcome with intensive care can be better estimated by consideration of four factors in addition to gestational age: sex, exposure or nonexposure to antenatal corticosteroids, whether single or multiple birth, and birth weight. (ClinicalTrials.gov numbers, NCT00063063 [ClinicalTrials.gov] and NCT00009633 [ClinicalTrials.gov].).

A randomised controlled study of the efficacy of hypromellose and Lacri-Lube combination versus polyethylene/Cling wrap to prevent corneal epithelial breakdown in the semiconscious intensive care patient

Objective. To compare the efficacy of two forms of eye care (hypromellose and Lacri-Lube combination vs polyethylene/Cling wrap covers) for intensive care patients. Design. Randomised-controlled trial. Setting. University affiliated, tertiary referral hospital. Patients and participants. One hundred ten patients with a reduced or absent blink reflex were followed through until they regained consciousness, were discharged from the facility during study enrolment, died or developed a positive corneal ulcer or eye infection. Interventions. All patients received standard eye cleansing every 2 h. In addition to this, group one (n=60) received a treatment combining hypromellose drops and Lacri-Lube (HL) to each eye every 2 h. Group two (n=50) had polyethylene covers only placed over the eye to create a moisture chamber. Measurements and results. Corneal ulceration was determined using corneal fluorescein stains and mobile slit lamp evaluation, performed daily. No patients had corneal ulceration in the polyethylene cover group, but 4 patients had corneal ulceration in the HL group. Conclusions. Polyethylene covers are as effective as HL in reducing the incidence of corneal damage in intensive care patients.

Measuring parent satisfaction with a neonatal hearing screening program

The primary aim of the present study was to investigate parent satisfaction with a neonatal hearing screening program through use of a valid and reliable questionnaire developed for this purpose (Parent Satisfaction Questionnaire with Neonatal Hearing Screening Program; PSQ-NHSP). Eighty parents whose children had received hearing screening participated in this study. High levels of satisfaction were reported with more than 90% of parents satisfied with all aspects of the program. The PSQ-NHSP was analyzed for validity and reliability and demonstrated excellent internal consistency reliability (sigma = 0.94) and excellent test-retest reliability (rho = 0.97). Content validity of the PSQ-NHSP was partially established by reviewing available literature on parent satisfaction studies in other pediatric health-care service programs. Construct validity of the PSQ-NHSP was indicated by a significant positive relationship between overall satisfaction and the three specific dimensions in the questionnaire. The satisfaction questionnaire was found to be a useful instrument for identifying service shortfalls, and routine use of the PSQ-NHSP in other neonatal hearing screening programs is recommended.

Ethanol intake of paediatric intensive care patients

Background - Limiting the amount of alcohol in children's medicines is advisable but as alcohol is the second most common solvent used in liquid preparations, paediatric patients with increased medication intake may be exposed to a considerable alcohol intake. Few medicines are specifically designed for children in Paediatric Intensive Care (PICU), and therefore adult formulations are frequently administered, with high medication use further exposing a PICU patient to undesired alcohol intake. Aims - This small pilot study aimed to examiine the intake of a sample of PICU patients, highlight common medicines used on PICU containing alcohol, provide alternatives where possible and where alternatives are not possible, provide the prescriber with a list of the higher alcohol containing medicines. Method - A retrospective medication chart review was undertaken as a two point snap shot. Data collected included age, weight, medications prescribed and the formulations used at time of the study. The patients' sedation score was recorded. The electronic medicine compendium (EMC) was consulted for any ethanol content for the commercially available products. The manufacturer was contacted for ethanol content of all ‘specials’ and any commercial products found to contain ethanol from the EMC. The PICU patient's daily intake of ethanol was calculated. The calculation was converted to an adult equivalent alcohol unit intake and although this method of conversion is crude and does not take physiological differences of adult and children into account, it was done in order to provide the clinician with commonly used terminology in deciding the risk to the patient. Results - Twenty-eight patients were prescribed a range of 69 different medications. Of the 69 medicines, 12 products were found to contain ethanol. Patient ages ranged from a 26 week premature infant to 15 years old, weights ranges from 0.7 kg to 45 kg. Only 2 out of the 28 patients did not receive ethanol containing medications, and most patients were prescribed at least two medicines containing ethanol. Daily ethanol intake uncorrected for weight ranged from 0.006 ml to 2.18 ml (median 0.26 ml). Converting this to adult units per week, alcohol intake ranged from 0.07 to 15.2 units (median 1.4 units). The two patients receiving above 15 units/week adult equivalent were prescribed an oral morphine weaning regimen, therefore the high alcohol exposure was short term. The most common drugs prescribed containing alcohol were found to be nystatin, ranitidine, furosemide and morphine. No commercially available alcohol-free oral liquid preparations were found for ranitidine, furosemide or morphine at the time of the study. Correlation of the sedation score against ethanol intake was difficult to analyse as most patients were actively sedated. Conclusions - Polypharmacy in PICU patients increases the exposure to alcohol. Some commercially available medicines provide excessive ethanol intake, providing the clinician with ethical, potentially economical dilemmas of prescribing an unlicensed medicine to minimise ethanol exposure. Further research is required to evaluate the scope of the problem, effects of exposure and provision of alcohol free formulations.

A comparative study to evaluate surface microbial contamination associated with copper-containing and stainless steel pens used by nurses in the critical care unit

A clinical study was undertaken to compare the surface microbial contamination associated with pens constructed of either a copper alloy or stainless steel used by nurses on intensive care units. A significantly lower level of microbial contamination was found on the copper alloy pens. Copyright © 2011 by the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Influência do local de nascimento e do transporte sobre a morbimortalidade de recém-nascidos prematuros

OBJETIVO: Verificar a influência do local de nascimento e do transporte sobre a morbimortalidade de recém-nascidos prematuros na Região Sul do Brasil. MÉTODOS: Estudo de coorte com recém-nascidos prematuros transferidos para a unidade de tratamento intensivo de referência (grupo transporte = 61), tendo sido acompanhados até a alta. Os dados sobre o atendimento no hospital de origem e transporte foram obtidos no momento da internação. Esse grupo foi comparado com neonatos da maternidade de referência, pareados por idade gestacional (grupo controle = 123), tendo como desfecho primário o óbito e desfechos secundários as alterações da glicemia, temperatura e saturação de oxigênio no momento da internação e a incidência de enterocolite necrosante, displasia broncopulmonar e sepses. Na associação entre as variáveis e o desfecho, foi utilizado o risco relativo. Foi adotado um nível de significância de α = 5% e β = 90%. RESULTADOS: A distância média percorrida foi de 91 km. A idade gestacional média foi de 34 semanas. Entre os recém-nascidos transferidos, 23% (n = 14) não tiveram atendimento pediátrico na sala de parto. No transporte, 33% dos recém-nascidos foram acompanhados por pediatra, e os equipamentos utilizados foram: incubadora (57%), bomba de infusão (13%), oxímetro (49%) e aparelho para aferição da glicemia (21%). O grupo transporte apresentou maior incidência de hiperglicemia, risco relativo (RR) = 3,2 (2,3-4,4), hipoglicemia, RR = 2,4 (1,4-4,0), hipertermia, RR = 2,5 (1,6-3,9), e hipoxemia, RR = 2,2 (1,6-3,0). Foram observados 18% de óbitos no grupo dos transferidos e 8,9% no grupo controle, RR = 2,0 (1,0-2,6). CONCLUSÕES: A pesquisa expõe deficiências no atendimento e transporte dos recém-nascidos, sendo necessária uma melhor organização do atendimento perinatal e do transporte na região nordeste do Rio Grande do Sul.

Prevalence and risk factors for aminoglycoside nephrotoxicity in intensive care units

In order to assess the prevalence of and risk factors for aminoglycoside-associated nephrotoxicity in intensive care units (ICUs), we evaluated 360 consecutive patients starting aminoglycoside therapy in an ICU. The patients had a baseline calculated glomerular filtration rate (cGFR) of ?30 ml/min/1.73 m2. Among these patients, 209 (58 per cent) developed aminoglycoside-associated nephrotoxicity (the acute kidney injury [AKI] group, which consisted of individuals with a decrease in cGFR of >20 per cent from the baseline cGFR), while 151 did not (non-AKI group). Both groups had similar baseline cGFRs. The AKI group developed a lower cGFR nadir (45 ± 27 versus 79 ± 39 ml/min/1.73 m2 for the non-AKI group; P < 0.001); was older (56 ± 18 years versus 52 ± 19 years for the non-AKI group; P = 0.033); had a higher prevalence of diabetes (19.6 per cent versus 9.3 per cent for the non-AKI group; P = 0.007); was more frequently treated with other nephrotoxic drugs (51 per cent versus 38 per cent for the non-AKI group; P = 0.024); used iodinated contrast more frequently (18 per cent versus 8 per cent for the non-AKI group; P = 0.0054); and showed a higher prevalence of hypotension (63 per cent versus 44 per cent for the non-AKI group; P = 0.0003), shock (56 per cent versus 31 per cent for the non-AKI group; P < 0.0001), and jaundice (19 per cent versus 8 per cent for the non-AKI group; P = 0.0036). The mortality rate was 44.5 per cent for the AKI group and 29.1 per cent for the non-AKI group (P = 0.0031). A logistic regression model identified as significant (P < 0.05) the following independent factors that affected aminoglycoside-associated nephrotoxicity: a baseline cGFR of <60 ml/min/1.73 m2 (odds ratio [OR], 0.42), diabetes (OR, 2.13), treatment with other nephrotoxins (OR, 1.61) or iodinated contrast (OR, 2.13), and hypotension (OR, 1.83). (To continue) In conclusion, AKI was frequent among ICU patients receiving an aminoglycoside, and it was associated with a high rate of mortality. The presence of diabetes or hypotension and the use of other nephrotoxic drugs and iodinated contrast were independent risk factors for the development of aminoglycoside-associated nephrotoxicity