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Serra S, Spampinato MD, Riccardi A, Guarino M, Fabbri A, Orsi L, De Iaco F. Pain Management at the End of Life in the Emergency Department: A Narrative Review of the Literature and a Practical Clinical Approach. J Clin Med 2023; 12:4357. [PMID: 37445392 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12134357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Access to pain management is a fundamental human right for all people, including those who are at the end of life (EOL). In end-stage patients, severe and uncontrolled pain is a common cause of admission to the emergency department (ED), and its treatment is challenging due to its complex, often multifactorial genesis. The aim of this narrative review was to identify the available literature on the management of severe EOL pain in the ED. The MEDLINE, SCOPUS, EMBASE, and CENTRAL databases were searched from inception to 1 April 2023 including randomised controlled trials, observational studies, systemic or narrative reviews, case reports, and guidelines on the management of EOL pain in the ED. A total of 532 articles were identified, and 9 articles were included (5 narrative reviews, 2 retrospective studies, and 2 prospective studies). Included studies were heterogeneous on the scales used and recommended for pain assessment and the recommended treatments. No study provided evidence for a better approach for EOL patients with pain in the ED. We provide a narrative summary of the findings and a review of the management of EOL pain in clinical practice, including (i) the identification of the EOL patients and unmet palliative care needs, (ii) a multidimensional, patient-centred assessment of the type and severity of pain, (iii) a multidisciplinary approach to the management of end-of-life pain, including an overview of non-pharmacological and pharmacological techniques; and (iv) the management of special situations, including rapid acute deterioration of chronic pain, breakthrough pain, and sedative palliation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sossio Serra
- Emergency Department, Maurizio Bufalini Hospital, 47521 Cesena, Italy
| | | | | | - Mario Guarino
- UOC MEU Ospedale CTO-AORN dei Colli Napoli, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Andrea Fabbri
- Emergency Department, AUSL Romagna, Presidio Ospedaliero Morgagni-Pierantoni, 47121 Forlì, Italy
| | - Luciano Orsi
- Palliative Care Physician and Scientific Director of "Rivista Italiane di Cure Palliative", 26013 Crema, Italy
| | - Fabio De Iaco
- Struttura Complessa di Medicina di Emergenza Urgenza Ospedale Maria Vittoria, ASL Città di Torino, 10144 Torino, Italy
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Torr L, Mortimore G. The management and diagnosis of rhabdomyolysis-induced acute kidney injury: a case study. BRITISH JOURNAL OF NURSING (MARK ALLEN PUBLISHING) 2022; 31:844-852. [PMID: 36094035 DOI: 10.12968/bjon.2022.31.16.844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Rhabdomyolysis is characterised by a rapid dissolution of damaged or injured skeletal muscle that can be the result of a multitude of mechanisms. It can range in severity from mild to severe, leading to multi-organ failure and death. Rhabdomyolysis causes muscular cellular breakdown, which can cause fatal electrolyte imbalances and metabolic acidosis, as myoglobin, creatine phosphokinase, lactate dehydrogenase and other electrolytes move into the circulation; acute kidney injury can follow as a severe complication. This article reflects on the case of a person who was diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney injury after a fall at home. Understanding the underpinning mechanism of rhabdomyolysis and the associated severity of symptoms may improve early diagnosis and treatment initiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leah Torr
- Acute Kidney Injury Specialist Nurse, Royal Derby Hospital, University Hospitals of Derby and Burton Foundation Trust, Derby
| | - Gerri Mortimore
- Associate Professor in Advanced Clinical Practice, University of Derby, Derby
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Walzl N, Sammy IA, Taylor PM, Smith JE, Lowe DJ. Systematic review of factors influencing decisions to limit treatment in the emergency department. Emerg Med J 2022; 39:147-156. [PMID: 33658272 DOI: 10.1136/emermed-2019-209398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2019] [Revised: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Emergency physicians are frequently faced with making decisions regarding how aggressive to be in caring for critically ill patients. We aimed to identify factors that influence decisions to limit treatment in the Emergency Department (ED) through a systematic search of the available literature. DESIGN Prospectively registered systematic review of studies employing any methodology to investigate factors influencing decisions to limit treatment in the ED. Medline and EMBASE were searched from their inception until January 2019. Methodological quality was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool, but no studies were excluded based on quality. Findings were summarised by narrative analysis. RESULTS 10 studies published between 1998 and 2016 were identified for inclusion in this review, including seven cross-sectional studies investigating factors associated with treatment-limiting decisions, two surveys of physicians making treatment-limiting decisions and one qualitative study of physicians making treatment-limiting decisions. There was significant heterogeneity in patient groups, outcome measures, methodology and quality. Only three studies received a methodology-specific rating of 'high quality'. Important limitations of the literature include the use of small single-centre retrospective cohorts often lacking a comparison group, and survey studies with low response rates employing closed-response questionnaires. Factors influencing treatment-limiting decisions were categorised into 'patient and disease factors' (age, chronic disease, functional limitation, patient and family wishes, comorbidity, quality of life, acute presenting disorder type, severity and reversibility), 'hospital factors' (colleague opinion, resource availability) and 'non-patient healthcare factors' (moral, ethical, social and cost factors). CONCLUSIONS Several factors influence decisions to limit treatment in the ED. Many factors are objective and quantifiable, but some are subjective and open to individual interpretation. This review highlights the complexity of the subject and the need for more robust research in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan Walzl
- Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow, UK
| | - Ian A Sammy
- Emergency Department, Scarborough General Hospital, Lower Scarborough, Trinidad and Tobago
- Tobago Regional Health Authority, Lower Scarborough, Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Paul M Taylor
- The University of Sheffield School of Health and Related Research, Sheffield, UK
- St Luke's Hospice, Sheffield, UK
| | - Jason E Smith
- Emergency Department, University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, Plymouth, UK
- Academic Department of Military Emergency Medicine, Royal Centre for Defence Medicine (Research and Academia), Birmingham, UK
| | - David J Lowe
- Emergency Department, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow, UK
- University of Glasgow College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, Glasgow, UK
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Huang YL, Alsaba N, Brookes G, Crilly J. Review article: End-of-life care for older people in the emergency department: A scoping review. Emerg Med Australas 2019; 32:7-19. [PMID: 31820582 DOI: 10.1111/1742-6723.13414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2019] [Revised: 10/14/2019] [Accepted: 10/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Older people are increasingly utilising emergency services, often at the end of their life. This scoping review aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding of available research regarding end-of-life (EOL) care for older people in the ED. The Joanna Briggs Institute scoping review methodology guided this review. Databases of CINAHL, Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, SocINDEX and Google Scholar were searched using a combination of terms, including older/aged/geriatrics/elderly, palliative/terminal/end-of-life and emergency/emergency service. The search was limited to articles published in English from 2007 to 2018. The level of evidence of included articles was assessed using the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) criteria. Fourteen articles were included. Definitions pertaining to EOL care in the ED vary. Older people presenting to ED at EOL were mostly female, triaged in urgent or semi-urgent category, presented with diagnoses of advanced cancer, cardiac and pulmonary disease, and dementia with symptoms including pain and breathlessness. Multiple tools pertaining to EOL exist and range from predicting mortality, and assessing functional status, co-morbidities, symptom distress, palliative care needs, quality of life and caregiver's stress. Outcomes for older people enrolled in specific EOL intervention programmes included lower admission rates, shorter ED length of stay, increased palliative care referral and consultations, and decreased Medicare costs. The NHMRC evidence level of included articles ranged from II to IV. Limited evidence exists regarding the definition, clinical profile, care delivery and outcomes for older people requiring EOL care in the ED. Future research and clinical practice that uses current evidenced-based policies and guidelines is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Ling Huang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service, Gold Coast University Hospital, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
| | - Nemat Alsaba
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service, Gold Coast University Hospital, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.,Bond University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
| | - Gemma Brookes
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
| | - Julia Crilly
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service, Gold Coast University Hospital, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.,School of Nursing and Midwifery, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.,Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
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Walzl N, Jameson J, Kinsella J, Lowe DJ. Ceilings of treatment: a qualitative study in the emergency department. BMC Emerg Med 2019; 19:9. [PMID: 30654741 PMCID: PMC6335704 DOI: 10.1186/s12873-019-0225-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2018] [Accepted: 01/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Decision-making concerning the limitation of potentially life-prolonging treatments is often challenging, particularly in the Emergency Department (ED). Current literature in this area of Emergency Medicine is limited and heterogeneous. We seek to determine the factors that influence ceiling of treatment institution in the ED. Methods We conducted a phenomenological qualitative study employing semi-structured interviews. Emergency Medicine Consultants were recruited via a sample of convenience from 5 hospitals in the West of Scotland. Data saturation was achieved after 15 interviews. Interviews were recorded, anonymised, transcribed, coded, and an iterative thematic analysis was carried out. Results A model was created to illustrate the identified themes. Patient wishes are central to decision-making. Acute clinical factors and patient-specific factors lay the foundations of ceiling of treatment decisions. This is heavily contextualised by family input, collateral information, anticipated outcome, and whether the patient is accepted for higher care. This decision-making process flows through a ‘filter’ of cultural and environmental factors. The overarching nature of patient benefit was found to be of key importance, framing all aspects of ceiling of treatment institution. Ultimately, all ceiling of treatment decisions result in one of three common patient pathways: full escalation, limited escalation, and maintenance of current care with the option of palliative care initiation. Conclusions We present a conceptual model composed of 10 major thematic factors that influence Consultant ceiling of treatment decision-making in the ED. Clinicians should be cognizant of influential factors and associated biases when making these important and challenging decisions. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12873-019-0225-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan Walzl
- School of Medicine, University of Glasgow, Wolfson Medical School Building, University Avenue, Glasgow, G128QQ, UK.
| | | | - John Kinsella
- School of Medicine, University of Glasgow, Wolfson Medical School Building, University Avenue, Glasgow, G128QQ, UK.,Academic Unit of Anaesthesia, Pain and Critical Care Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - David J Lowe
- School of Medicine, University of Glasgow, Wolfson Medical School Building, University Avenue, Glasgow, G128QQ, UK.,Emergency Department, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow, UK
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García-Peña C, Pérez-Zepeda MU, Robles-Jiménez LV, Sánchez-García S, Ramírez-Aldana R, Tella-Vega P. Mortality and associated risk factors for older adults admitted to the emergency department: a hospital cohort. BMC Geriatr 2018; 18:144. [PMID: 29914394 PMCID: PMC6006959 DOI: 10.1186/s12877-018-0833-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2017] [Accepted: 06/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Older emergency department patients are more vulnerable than younger patients, yet many risk factors that contribute to the mortality of older patients remain unclear and under investigation. This study endeavored to determine mortality and factors associated with mortality in patients over 60 years of age who were admitted to the emergency departments of two general hospitals in Mexico City. Methods This is a hospital cohort study involving adults over 60 years of age admitted to the emergency department and who are beneficiaries of the Mexican Institute of Social Security and residents of Mexico City. All causes of mortality from the time of emergency department admission until a follow-up home visit after discharge were measured. Included risk factors were: socio-demographic, health-care related, mental and physical variables, and in-hospital care-related. Survival functions were estimated using Kaplan-Meier curves. Hazard ratios (HR) were derived from Cox regression models in a multivariate analysis. Results From the 1406 older adults who participated in this study, 306 (21.8%) did not survive. Independent mortality risk factors found in the last Cox model were age (HR = 1.02, 95% CI, 1.005–1.04; p = 0.01), length of stay in the ED (HR = 1.003, 95% CI = 0.99, 1.04; p = 0.006), geriatric care trained residents model in Hospital A (protective factor) (HR = 0.66, 95% CI = 0.46, 0.96; p = 0.031), and the FRAIL scale (HR of 1.34 95% CI, 1.02–1.76; p = 0.033). Conclusions Risk factors for mortality in patients treated at Mexican emergency departments are length of stay and variables related to frailty status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen García-Peña
- Dirección de Investigación, Instituto Nacional de Geriatría, Periférico Sur No. 2767, Mexico City, Mexico.
| | - Mario Ulises Pérez-Zepeda
- Dirección de Investigación, Instituto Nacional de Geriatría, Periférico Sur No. 2767, Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | - Sergio Sánchez-García
- Unidad de Investigación en Epidemiología y Servicios de Salud, Área Envejecimiento, Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | - Pamela Tella-Vega
- Dirección de Investigación, Instituto Nacional de Geriatría, Periférico Sur No. 2767, Mexico City, Mexico
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Launay CP, Rivière H, Chabot J, Beauchet O. Prediction of in-hospital mortality with the 6-item Brief Geriatric Assessment tool: An observational prospective cohort study. Maturitas 2018; 110:57-61. [PMID: 29563036 DOI: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2018.01.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2017] [Revised: 10/30/2017] [Accepted: 01/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The 6-item Brief Geriatric Assessment (BGA) is a screening tool to identify frail inpatients who are at risk of adverse health events. Its predictive value for in-hospital mortality has not been examined yet. OBJECTIVE This study examined whether the BGA is able to predict in-hospital mortality in older patients. METHODS A total of 1082 participants were included in this observational prospective cohort study. At their admission to the medical wards of Angers University Hospital (France), all inpatients aged ≥65 years were screened with the BGA. Its 6 items are: age ≥85 years, male gender, polypharmacy (i.e., ≥5 drugs per day), non-use of home-help services, history of falls in the previous 6 months, and temporal disorientation (i.e., inability to give the month and/or year). Three levels (low, intermediate and high) of risk of adverse health events had previously been identified, based on different combinations of BGA items. Patients were separated into 2 groups using the occurrence of in-hospital death. The length of stay was calculated as the number of days in hospital using the hospital registry. The use of psychoactive drugs and the reason for admission were used as covariates. RESULTS Older inpatients who died were more frequently admitted for an acute organ failure (P < 0.001). Cox regression models showed that a priori intermediate risk (HR = 1.89, P < .001) and high risk (HR = 2.34, P < .001) risk levels predicted in-hospital mortality. Kaplan-Meier survival curves confirmed that inpatients at high risk (P = .047) and those at intermediate risk (P = .013) died earlier than patients at low risk. CONCLUSIONS Combinations of items on the BGA successfully predicted the risk of in-hospital mortality in this sample of older inpatients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cyrille Patrice Launay
- Service of Geriatric Medicine and Geriatric Rehabilitation, Department of Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital, Switzerland.
| | - Hélène Rivière
- Department of Neuroscience, Division of Geriatric Medicine, Angers University Hospital, Angers, France
| | - Julia Chabot
- Department of Medicine, Division of Geriatric Medicine, Sir Mortimer B. Davis - Jewish General Hospital and Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Olivier Beauchet
- Department of Medicine, Division of Geriatric Medicine, Sir Mortimer B. Davis - Jewish General Hospital and Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Dr. Joseph Kaufmann Chair in Geriatric Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Centre of Excellence on Aging and Chronic Diseases of McGill Integrated University Health Network, Quebec, Canada
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Estimación de potenciales donantes en muerte cardiocirculatoria en el Hospital General Universitario de Elche. Med Intensiva 2017; 41:153-161. [DOI: 10.1016/j.medin.2016.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2016] [Revised: 08/03/2016] [Accepted: 08/25/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Bodí MA, Pont T, Sandiumenge A, Oliver E, Gener J, Badía M, Mestre J, Muñoz E, Esquirol X, Llauradó M, Twose J, Quintana S. Brain death organ donation potential and life support therapy limitation in neurocritical patients. Med Intensiva 2014; 39:337-44. [PMID: 25443330 DOI: 10.1016/j.medin.2014.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2014] [Revised: 06/26/2014] [Accepted: 07/29/2014] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To analyze the profile, incidence of life support therapy limitation (LSTL) and donation potential in neurocritical patients. STUDY DESIGN A multicenter prospective study was carried out. SETTING Nine hospitals authorized for organ harvesting for transplantation. PATIENTS All patients consecutively admitted to the hospital with GCS < 8 during a 6-month period were followed-up until discharge or day 30 of hospital stay. STUDY VARIABLES Demographic data, cause of coma, clinical status upon admission and outcome were analyzed. LSTL, brain death (BD) and organ donation incidence were recorded. RESULTS A total of 549 patients were included, with a mean age of 59.0 ± 14.5 years. The cause of coma was cerebral hemorrhage in 27.0% of the cases.LSTL was applied in 176 patients (32.1%). In 78 cases LSTL consisted of avoiding ICU admission. Age, the presence of contraindications, and specific causes of coma were associated to LSTL. A total of 58.1% of the patients died (n=319). One-hundred and thirty-three developed BD (24.2%), and 56.4% of these became organ donors (n=75). The presence of edema and mid-line shift on the CT scan, and transplant coordinator evaluation were associated to BD. LSTL was associated to a no-BD outcome. Early LSTL (first 4 days) was applied in 9 patients under 80 years of age, with no medical contraindications for donation and a GCS ≤ 4 who finally died in asystole. CONCLUSIONS LSTL is a frequent practice in neurocritical patients. In almost one-half of the cases, LSTL consisted of avoiding admission to the ICU, and on several occasions the donation potential was not evaluated by the transplant coordinator.
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Affiliation(s)
- M A Bodí
- Servicio de Medicina Intensiva, Hospital Universitario de Tarragona Joan XXIII, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Institut Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili, Tarragona, España.
| | - T Pont
- Coordinación de Trasplantes, Hospital Universitario Vall d'Hebrón, Barcelona, España
| | - A Sandiumenge
- Servicio de Medicina Intensiva, Hospital Universitario de Tarragona Joan XXIII, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Institut Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili, Tarragona, España
| | - E Oliver
- Coordinación de Trasplantes, Hospital Universitario de Bellvitge, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, España
| | - J Gener
- Servicio de Medicina Intensiva, Hospital Universitario Germans Trias i Pujol, Badalona, Barcelona, España
| | - M Badía
- Servicio de Medicina Intensiva, Hospital Universitario Arnau de Vilanova de Lleida, Lérida, España
| | - J Mestre
- Servicio de Medicina Intensiva, Corporació Sanitària Parc Taulí, Sabadell, Barcelona, España
| | - E Muñoz
- Servicio de Medicina Intensiva, Hospital Sant Pau i Santa Tecla, Tarragona, España
| | - X Esquirol
- Servicio de Medicina Intensiva, Hospital de Granollers, Granollers, Barcelona, España
| | - M Llauradó
- Servicio de Medicina Intensiva, Hospital Universitario de Tarragona Joan XXIII, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Institut Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili, Tarragona, España
| | - J Twose
- Organización Catalana de Trasplantes, Barcelona, España
| | - S Quintana
- Servicio de Medicina Intensiva, Hospital Mutua de Terrassa, Terrassa, Barcelona, España
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