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Holland M, Kellett J. The United Kingdom's National Early Warning Score: should everyone use it? A narrative review. Intern Emerg Med 2023; 18:573-583. [PMID: 36602553 PMCID: PMC9813902 DOI: 10.1007/s11739-022-03189-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
This review critiques the benefits and drawbacks of the United Kingdom's National Early Warning Score (NEWS). Potential developments for the future are considered, as well as the role for NEWS in an emergency department (ED). The ability of NEWS to predict death within 24 h has been well validated in multiple clinical settings. It provides a common language for the assessment of clinical severity and can be used to trigger clinical interventions. However, it should not be used as the only metric for risk stratification as its ability to predict mortality beyond 24 h is not reliable and greatly influenced by other factors. The main drawbacks of NEWS are that measuring it requires trained professionals, it is time consuming and prone to calculation error. NEWS is recommended for use in acute UK hospitals, where it is linked to an escalation policy that reflects postgraduate experience; patients with lower NEWS are first assessed by a junior clinician and those with higher scores by more senior staff. This policy was based on expert opinion that did not consider workload implications. Nevertheless, its implementation has been shown to improve the efficient recording of vital signs. How and who should respond to different NEWS levels is uncertain and may vary according to the clinical setting and resources available. In the ED, simple triage scores which are quicker and easier to use may be more appropriate determinants of acuity. However, any alternative to NEWS should be easier and cheaper to use and provide evidence of outcome improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Holland
- School of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Wellbeing, University of Bolton, A676 Deane Road, Bolton, BL3 5AB UK
| | - John Kellett
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
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Better Control of Body Temperature Is Not Associated with Improved Hemodynamic and Respiratory Parameters in Mechanically Ventilated Patients with Sepsis. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11051211. [PMID: 35268302 PMCID: PMC8911511 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11051211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 02/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The need for temperature modulation (mostly cooling) in critically ill patients is based on the expected benefits associated with decreased metabolic demands. However, evidence-based guidelines for temperature management in a majority of critically ill patients with fever are still lacking. The aim of our retrospective single-site observational study was to determine the differences in ICU treatment between patients in whom their temperature remained within the target temperature range for ≥25% of time (inTT group) and patients in whom their temperature was outside the target temperature range for <24% of time (outTT group). We enrolled 76 patients undergoing invasive mechanical ventilation for respiratory failure associated with sepsis. We observed no significant differences in survival, mechanical ventilation settings and duration, vasopressor support, renal replacement therapy and other parameters of treatment. Patients in the inTT group were significantly more frequently cooled with the esophageal cooling device, received a significantly lower cumulative dose of acetaminophen and significantly more frequently developed a presence of multidrug-resistant pathogens. In our study, achieving a better temperature control was not associated with any improvement in treatment parameters during ICU stay. A lower prevalence of multidrug-resistant pathogens in patients with higher body temperatures opens a question of a pro-pyrexia approach with an aim to achieve better patient outcomes.
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Abstract
Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage is a neurologic emergency that requires immediate patient stabilization and prompt diagnosis and treatment. Early measures should focus on principles of advanced cardiovascular life support. The aneurysm should be evaluated and treated in a comprehensive stroke center by a multidisciplinary team capable of endovascular and, operative approaches. Once the aneurysm is secured, the patient is best managed by a dedicated neurocritical care service to prevent and manage complications, including a syndrome of delayed neurologic decline. The goal of such specialized care is to prevent secondary injury, reduce length of stay, and improve outcomes for survivors of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Y Chung
- Division of Neurocritical Care, Department of Neurology, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA; Division of Neurocritical Care, Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Neurovascular Research Unit, Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Mohamad Abdalkader
- Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Radiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Thanh N Nguyen
- Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Radiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
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Erkens R, Wernly B, Masyuk M, Muessig JM, Franz M, Schulze PC, Lichtenauer M, Kelm M, Jung C. Admission Body Temperature in Critically Ill Patients as an Independent Risk Predictor for Overall Outcome. Med Princ Pract 2020; 29:389-395. [PMID: 31786567 PMCID: PMC7445663 DOI: 10.1159/000505126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2019] [Accepted: 12/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Body temperature (BT) abnormalities are frequently observed in critically ill patients. We aimed to assess admission BT in a heterogeneous critically ill patient population admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) as a prognostic parameter for intra-ICU and long-term mortality. METHODS A total of 6,514 medical patients (64 ± 15 years) admitted to a German ICU between 2004 and 2009 were included. A follow-up of patients was performed retrospectively. The association of admission BT with both intra-ICU and long-term mortality was investigated by logistic regression. RESULTS Patients with hypothermia (<36°C BT) were clinically worse and had more pronounced signs of multi-organ failure. Admission BT was associated with adverse overall outcome, with a 2-fold increase for hyperthermia (mortality 12%; odds ratio [OR] 1.80, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.43-2.26; p < 0.001), and a 4-fold increase for the risk of hypothermia (mortality 24%; OR 4.05, 95% CI 3.38-4.85; p < 0.001) with respect to intra-ICU and long-term mortality. Moreover, hypothermia was even more harmful than hyperthermia, and both were strongly associated with intra-ICU mortality, especially in patients admitted with acute coronary syndrome (hypothermia: hazard ratio 6.12, 95% CI 4.12-9.11; p < 0.001; hyperthermia: OR 2.70, 95% CI 1.52-4.79; p< 0.001). CONCLUSION Admission BT is an independent risk predictor for both overall intra-ICU and long-term mortality in critically ill patients admitted to an ICU. Therefore, BT at admission might not only serve as a parameter for individual risk stratification but can also influence individual therapeutic decision-making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ralf Erkens
- Division of Cardiology, Pulmonology and Vascular Medicine, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- CARID, Cardiovascular Research Institute Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Bernhard Wernly
- Department of Cardiology, Clinic of Internal Medicine II, Paracelsus Medical University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Maryna Masyuk
- Division of Cardiology, Pulmonology and Vascular Medicine, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- CARID, Cardiovascular Research Institute Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Johanna M Muessig
- Division of Cardiology, Pulmonology and Vascular Medicine, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- CARID, Cardiovascular Research Institute Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Marcus Franz
- Department of Cardiology, Clinic of Internal Medicine I, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Paul Christian Schulze
- Department of Cardiology, Clinic of Internal Medicine I, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Michael Lichtenauer
- Department of Cardiology, Clinic of Internal Medicine II, Paracelsus Medical University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Malte Kelm
- Division of Cardiology, Pulmonology and Vascular Medicine, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- CARID, Cardiovascular Research Institute Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Christian Jung
- Division of Cardiology, Pulmonology and Vascular Medicine, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany,
- CARID, Cardiovascular Research Institute Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany,
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