The role of high flow oxygen therapy in acute respiratory failure

Acute respiratory failure represents one of the most common causes of intensive care unit admission and oxygen therapy remains the first-line therapy in the management of these patients. In recent years, high-flow oxygen via nasal cannula has been described as a useful alternative to conventional oxygen therapy in patients with acute respiratory failure. High-flow oxygen via nasal cannula rapidly alleviates symptoms of acute respiratory failure and improves oxygenation by several mechanisms, including dead space washout, reduction in oxygen dilution and inspiratory nasopharyngeal resistance, a moderate positive airway pressure effect that may generate alveolar recruitment and an overall greater tolerance and comfort with the interface and the heated and humidified inspired gases. However, the experience in adults is still limited and there are no clinical guidelines to establish recommendations for their use. This article aims to review the existing evidence on the use of high-flow oxygen via nasal cannula in adults with acute respiratory failure and its possible applications, advantages and limitations.

Acinetobacter baumannii in critically ill patients: Molecular epidemiology, clinical features and predictors of mortality

INTRODUCTION

The main aim of this study was to assess changes in the epidemiology and clinical presentation of Acinetobacter baumannii over a 10-year period, as well as risk factors of mortality in infected patients.

METHOD

Prospective, multicentre, hospital-based cohort studies including critically ill patients with A. baumannii isolated from any clinical sample were included. These were divided into a first period ("2000 study") (one month), and a second period ("2010 study") (two months). Molecular typing was performed by REP-PCR, PFGE and MSLT. The primary endpoint was 30-day mortality.

RESULTS

In 2000 and 2010, 103 and 108 patients were included, and the incidence of A. baumannii colonization/infection in the ICU decreased in 2010 (1.23 vs. 4.35 cases/1000 patient-days; p<0.0001). No differences were found in the colonization rates (44.3 vs. 38.6%) or infected patients (55.7 vs. 61.4%) in both periods. Overall, 30-day mortality was similar in both periods (29.1 vs. 27.8%). The rate of pneumonia increased from 46.2 in 2000 to 64.8% in 2010 (p<0.001). Performing MSLT, 18 different sequence types (ST) were identified (18 in 2000, 8 in 2010), but ST2 and ST79 were the predominant clones. ST2 isolates in the ICU increased from 53.4% in the year 2000 to 73.8% in 2010 (p=0.002). In patients with A. baumannii infection, the multivariate analysis identified appropriate antimicrobial therapy and ST79 clonal group as protective factors for mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

At 10 years of the first analysis, some variations have been observed in the epidemiology of A. baumannii in the ICU, with no changes in mortality. Epidemic ST79 clone seems to be associated with a better prognosis and adequate treatment is crucial in terms of survival.

Application of a mindfulness program among healthcare professionals in an intensive care unit: Effect on burnout, empathy and self-compassion

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of a mindfulness training program on the levels of burnout, mindfulness, empathy and self-compassion among healthcare professionals in an Intensive Care Unit of a tertiary hospital.

DESIGN

A longitudinal study with an intrasubject pre-post intervention design was carried out.

SETTING

Intensive Care Unit of a tertiary hospital.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 32 subjects (physicians, nurses and nursing assistants) participated in the study.

INTERVENTION

A clinical session/workshop was held on the practice of mindfulness and its usefulness. The possibility of following an 8-week training program with specifically designed short guided practices supported by a virtual community based on a WhatsApp group was offered. A weekly proposal in audio and text format and daily reminders with stimulating messages of practice were sent.

MAIN MEASUREMENTS

Various psychometric measures were self-reported: burnout (MBI), mindfulness (FFMQ), empathy (Jefferson) and self-compassion (SCS), before and after the training program. Demographic and workplace variables were also compiled.

RESULTS

Among the factors affecting burnout, the level of emotional exhaustion decreased (-3.78 points; P=.012), mindfulness levels measured by the FFMQ were not globally modified, though "observation" and "non-reacting" factors increased. Empathy was not modified, and self-compassion levels increased (3.7 points; P=.001). Satisfaction and program adherence levels were very high.

CONCLUSIONS

In the population described, this program showed a decrease in emotional exhaustion and an increase in self-compassion -these being factors that can produce well-being and exert a positive impact upon burnout in this vulnerable group.

Intensive care unit without walls: seeking patient safety by improving the efficiency of the system

The term "ICU without walls" refers to innovative management in Intensive Care, based on two key elements: (1) collaboration of all medical and nursing staff involved in patient care during hospitalization and (2) technological support for severity early detection protocols by identifying patients at risk of deterioration throughout the hospital, based on the assessment of vital signs and/or laboratory test values, with the clear aim of improving critical patient safety in the hospitalization process. At present, it can be affirmed that there is important work to be done in the detection of severity and early intervention in patients at risk of organ dysfunction. Such work must be adapted to the circumstances of each center and should include training in the detection of severity, multidisciplinary work in the complete patient clinical process, and the use of technological systems allowing intervention on the basis of monitored laboratory and physiological parameters, with effective and efficient use of the information generated. Not only must information be generated, but also efficient management of such information must also be achieved. It is necessary to improve our activity through innovation in management procedures that facilitate the work of the intensivist, in collaboration with other specialists, throughout the hospital environment. Innovation is furthermore required in the efficient management of the information generated in hospitals, through intelligent and directed usage of the new available technology.

Handover in Intensive Care

Handover is a frequent and complex task that also implies the transfer of the responsibility of the care. The deficiencies in this process are associated with important gaps in clinical safety and also in patient and professional dissatisfaction, as well as increasing health cost. Efforts to standardize this process have increased in recent years, appearing numerous mnemonic tools. Despite this, local are heterogeneous and the level of training in this area is low. The purpose of this review is to highlight the importance of IT while providing a methodological structure that favors effective IT in ICU, reducing the risk associated with this process. Specifically, this document refers to the handover that is established during shift changes or nursing shifts, during the transfer of patients to other diagnostic and therapeutic areas, and to discharge from the ICU. Emergency situations and the potential participation of patients and relatives are also considered. Formulas for measuring quality are finally proposed and potential improvements are mentioned especially in the field of training.

Perioperative management in thoracic surgery

Thoracic surgery has undergone significant advances in recent years related to anesthetic and surgical techniques and the prevention and management of complications related to the procedure. This has allowed improvements in patient clinical outcomes in surgeries of this kind. Despite the above, thoracic surgery, especially related to pulmonary resection, is not without risk, and is associated to considerable morbidity and mortality. Fast track or enhanced recovery after anesthesia protocols, minimally invasive surgery, and intraoperative anesthetic management improve the prognosis and safety of thoracic surgery. Patients in the postoperative period of major thoracic surgery require intensive surveillance, especially the first 24-72hours after surgery. Admission to the ICU is especially recommended in those patients with comorbidities, a reduced cardiopulmonary reserve, extensive lung resections, and those requiring support due to life-threatening organ failure. During the postoperative period, intensive cardiorespiratory monitoring, proper management of thoracic drainage, aggressive pain control (multimodal analgesia and regional anesthetic techniques), nausea and multimodal rehabilitation are key elements for avoiding adverse events. Medical complications include respiratory failure, arrhythmias, respiratory infections, atelectasis and thromboembolic lung disease. The most frequent surgical complications are hemothorax, chylothorax, bronchopleural fistula and prolonged air leakage. The multidisciplinary management of these patients throughout the perioperative period is essential in order to ensure the best surgical outcomes.

Evaluating frailty may complement APACHE II in estimating mortality in elderly patients admitted to the ICU after digestive surgery

OBJECTIVE

To analyze whether frailty can improve the prediction of mortality in patients admitted to the ICU after digestive surgery.

DESIGN

Prospective, observational, 6-month follow-up study of a cohort of patients admitted to the ICU between June 1, 2018, and June 1, 2019.

SETTING

Surgical ICU of a third level hospital.

PATIENTS

Series of successive patients older than 70 years who were admitted to the ICU immediately after a surgical intervention on the digestive system. 92 patients were included and 2 were excluded due to loss of follow-up at 6 months.

INTERVENTIONS

Upon admission to the ICU, severity and prognosis were assessed by APACHE II, and fragility by the Clinical Frailty Scale and the modified Frailty Index.

MAIN VARIABLES OF INTEREST

ICU, in-hospital and 6-month mortality.

RESULTS

The model that best predicts mortality in the ICU is the APACHE II, with an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.89 and a good calibration. The model that combines APACHE II and Clinical Frailty Scale is the one that best predicts in-hospital mortality (AUC: 0.82), significantly improving the prediction of isolated APACHE II (AUC: 0.78; Integrated Discrimination Index: 0.04). Frailty is a predictor of mortality at 6 months, being the model that combines Clinical Frailty Scale and Frailty Index the one that has shown the greatest discrimination (AUC: 0.84).

CONCLUSIONS

Frailty can complement APACHE II by improving its prediction of hospital mortality. Furthermore, it offers a good prediction of mortality 6 months after surgery. For mortality in ICU, frailty loses its predictive power, whereas isolated APACHE II shows excellent predictive capacity.

Perioperative management in cardiovascular surgery

Cardio-surgical patient care requires a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach to develop strategies to improve patient safety and outcomes. In the preoperative period, prophylaxis for frequent postoperative complications, such as de novo atrial fibrillation or bleeding, and prehabilitation based on exercise training, respiratory physiotherapy and nutritional and cognitive therapy, especially in fragile patients, stand out. There have been great advances, during the intraoperative phase, such as minimally invasive surgery, improved myocardial preservation, enhanced systemic perfusion and brain protection during extracorporeal circulation, or implementation of Safe Surgery protocols. Postoperative care should include goal-directed hemodynamic theraphy, a correct approach to coagulation disorders, and a multimodal analgesic protocol to facilitate early extubation and mobilization. Finally, optimal management of postoperative complications is key, including arrhythmias, vasoplegia, bleeding, and myocardial stunning that can lead to low cardiac output syndrome or, in extreme cases, cardiogenic shock. This global approach and the high degree of complexity require highly specialised units where intensive care specialists add value and are key to obtain more effective and efficient clinical results.

[Discussion groups as an approach to assess knowledge, attitudes and practices of hand hygiene among the adult intensive care unit professionals from a referral hospital]

OBJECTIVES

The adherence to hand hygiene practices among the adult Intensive Care Unit (ICU) professionals in this hospital has not improved substantially in the last years, regardless of the theoretical training sessions conducted. A study was made of the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of the ICU personnel in this field.

METHODS

Several small discussion groups with ICU staff organised by preventive medicine professionals were scheduled in March 2018. Semi-structured questions on hand hygiene and use of gloves were included. The points discussed were listed into strengths and weaknesses. Knowledge was then assessed using an anonymous questionnaire, after the sessions.

RESULTS

Thirteen 60-minute sessions were carried out with 157 participants from all professional categories (82% from ICU, median=11 participants / session). The majority perceived hand hygiene as a priority issue of personal responsibility for patient safety. They identified factors that limit their ability to improve their adherence. Certain habits have more to do with personal preferences than with theoretical knowledge or technical indications.

CONCLUSIONS

The discussion groups have helped to make a diagnosis of the situation that will be useful to strengthen those areas of improvement that have been identified. If we aim for a cultural change, and eliminate incorrect habits, it seems more useful to carry out adequate continuing education as part of the daily routine of professionals.

Cross-cultural adaptation of the SCORE survey and evaluation of the impact of Real-Time Random Safety Audits in organizational culture: A multicenter study

OBJECTIVE

To establish a cross-cultural adaptation of the Safety, Communication, Operational Reliability, and Engagement (SCORE) survey and to use this instrument to evaluate the impact of a safety intervention.

DESIGN

Cross-cultural adaptation and before-and-after evaluation study.

SETTING

5 ICU.

PARTICIPANTS

Medical residents, attending physicians, and nurses at those ICU.

INTERVENTIONS

Adaptation of the SCORE survey to Spanish culture. The adapted survey was used to assess all safety-culture-related domains before and one-year after implementing the use of a safety tool, Real-Time Random Safety Audits (in Spanish: Análisis Aleatorios de Seguridad en Tiempo Real, AASTRE).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Adaptabiliy of the Spanish version of SCORE survey in the ICU setting and evaluation of the effect of AASTRE on their domains.

RESULTS

The cross-cultural adaptation was adequate. Post-AASTRE survey scores [mean (standard deviation, SD)] were significantly better in the domains learning environment [50.55 (SD 20.62) vs 60.76 (SD 23.66), p<.0001], perception of local leadership [47.98 (SD 23.57) vs 62.82 (SD 27.46), p<.0001], teamwork climate [51.19 (SD 18.55) vs 55.89 (SD 20.25), p=.031], safety climate [45.07 (SD 17.60) vs 50.36 (SD 19.65), p=.01], participation decision making [3 (SD 0.82) vs 3.65 (SD 0.87), p<.0001] and advancement in the organization [3.21 (SD 0.77) vs 4.04 (SD 0.77), p<.0001]. However, post-AASTRE scores were significantly worse in the domains workload and burnout climate.

CONCLUSIONS

The cross-cultural adaptation of the SCORE survey into Spanish is a useful tool for ICUs. The application of the AASTRE is associated with improvements in six SCORE domains, including the safety climate.

Twelve controversial questions in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage

Critical care management of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) remains a major challenge. Despite the recent publication of guidelines from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association and the Neurocritical Care Society, there are many controversial questions in the intensive care unit (ICU) management of this population. The authors provide an analysis of common issues in the ICU and provide guidance on the daily management of this specific population of neurocritical care patients.

Competency assessment of residents of Intensive Care Medicine through a simulation-based objective structured clinical evaluation (OSCE). A multicenter observational study

OBJECTIVES

The current official model of training in Intensive Care Medicine (ICM) in Spain is based on exposure to experiences through clinical rotations. The main objective was to determine the level of competency (I novice to V independent practitioner) achieved by the residents at the end of the 3rd year of training (R3) in ICM through a simulation-based OSCE. Secondary objectives were: (1) To identify gaps in performance, and (2) To investigate the reliability and feasibility of conducting simulation-based assessment at multiple sites.

DESIGN

Observational multicenter study.

SETTING

Thirteen Spanish ICU Departments.

PARTICIPANTS

Thirty six R3.

INTERVENTION

The participants performed on five, 15-min, high-fidelity crisis scenarios in four simulation centers. The performances were video recorded for later scoring by trained raters.

MAIN VARIABLES OF INTEREST

Via a Delphi technique, an independent panel of expert intensivists identified critical essential performance elements (CEPE) for each scenario to define the levels of competency.

RESULTS

A total of 176 performances were analyzed. The internal consistency of the check-lists were adequate (KR-20 range 0.64-0.79). Inter-rater reliability was strong [median Intraclass Correlation Coefficient across scenarios: 0.89 (0.65-0.97)]. Competency levels achieved by R3 were: Level I (18.8%), II (35.2%), III (42.6%), IV/V (3.4%). Overall, a great heterogeneity in performance was observed.

CONCLUSION

The expected level of competency after one year in the ICU was achieved only in half of the performances. A more evidence-based educational approach is needed. Multiple center simulation-based assessment showed feasibility and reliability as an evaluation method of competency.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

COBALIDATION. NCT04278976. (https://register.

CLINICALTRIALS

gov).

Challenges in intensive medicine: Diversity, equity and inclusion. Gender statement of the Spanish Society of Intensive and Critical Medicine and Coronary Units (SEMICYUC)

Gender is a social determinant that impacts health and generates inequalities at all levels. It has impacts patients and critical conditions, health professionals and professional career development, and scientific societies from a perspective of social justice. All the International scientific societies of Intensive Care Medicine committed to contributing a gender perspective agree on the institutional need for achieving a formal positioning standpoint. The Spanish Society of Intensive and Critical Medicine and Coronary Units (SEMICYUC) is committed to ensuring the equality, inclusion and representativeness of its health professionals to fight the existing gender gap in the field of Intensive Medicine.

Safe practices in Intensive Care Medicine, is zero risk possible?

Incidents related to patient safety are a problem of great impact in Intensive Care Medicine (ICM). Multiple strategies have been developed to identify them, analyze, and develop policies aim at reducing their incidence and minimizing their effects and consequences. The development of a safety culture, an adequate organizational and structural design of the ICM, which contemplates the implementation of effective safe practices, with a provision of human resources adjusted to the care activity carried out and the periodic analysis of the different events and their factors, will allow us to bring the risk of critical patient care closer to zero, as would be desirable.

Clinical and epidemiological features of tuberculosis isolated from critically ill patients

Human tuberculosis is still a major world health concern. In Uruguay, contrary to the world trend, an increase in cases has been observed since 2006. Although the incidence of MDR-resistant strains is low and no cases of XDR-TB were registered, an increase in the number of patients with severe tuberculosis requiring critical care admission was observed. As a first aim, we performed the analysis of the genetic structure of strains isolated from patients with severe tuberculosis admitted to an intensive care unit. We compared these results with those corresponding to the general population observing a statistically significant increase in the Haarlem genotypes among ICU patients (53.3% vs 34.7%; p<0.05). In addition, we investigated the association of clinical outcomes with the genotype observing a major incidence of hepatic dysfunctions among patients infected with the Haarlem strain (p<0.05). The cohort presented is one of the largest studied series of critically ill patients with tuberculosis.

Evaluating frailty may complement APACHE II in estimating mortality in elderly patients admitted to the ICU after digestive surgery

OBJECTIVE

To analyze whether frailty can improve the prediction of mortality in patients admitted to the ICU after digestive surgery.

DESIGN

Prospective, observational, 6-month follow-up study of a cohort of patients admitted to the ICU between June 1, 2018, and June 1, 2019.

SETTING

Surgical ICU of a third level hospital.

PATIENTS

Series of successive patients older than 70 years who were admitted to the ICU immediately after a surgical intervention on the digestive system. 92 patients were included and 2 were excluded due to loss of follow-up at 6 months.

INTERVENTIONS

Upon admission to the ICU, severity and prognosis were assessed by APACHE II, and fragility by the Clinical Frailty Scale and the modified Frailty Index.

MAIN VARIABLES OF INTEREST

ICU, in-hospital and 6-month mortality.

RESULTS

The model that best predicts mortality in the ICU is the APACHE II, with an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.89 and a good calibration. The model that combines APACHE II and Clinical Frailty Scale is the one that best predicts in-hospital mortality (AUC: 0.82), significantly improving the prediction of isolated APACHE II (AUC: 0.78; Integrated Discrimination Index: 0.04). Frailty is a predictor of mortality at 6 months, being the model that combines Clinical Frailty Scale and Frailty Index the one that has shown the greatest discrimination (AUC: 0.84).

CONCLUSIONS

Frailty can complement APACHE II by improving its prediction of hospital mortality. Furthermore, it offers a good prediction of mortality 6 months after surgery. For mortality in ICU, frailty loses its predictive power, whereas isolated APACHE II shows excellent predictive capacity.

Epidemiology of adverse events in Intensive Medicine units

The severity of the critically ill patient, the practice of diagnostic procedures and invasive treatments, the high number of drugs administered, a high volume of data generated during the care of the critically ill patient along with a technical work environment, the stress and workload of work of professionals, are circumstances that favor the appearance of errors, turning Intensive Medicine Services into risk areas for adverse events to occur. Knowing their epidemiology is the first step to improve the safety of the care we provide to our patients, because it allows us to identify risk areas, analyze them and develop strategies to prevent the adverse events, or if this is not possible, be able to manage them. This article analyzes the main studies published to date on incidents related to safety in the field of critically ill patients.

Influence of SARS-CoV-2 infection on the use of ceftazidime-avibactam in the critical patient

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the study was to analyse possible changes in antibiotic policy with ceftazidime-avibactam during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) to determine patient mortality 28 days after initiation of antimicrobial therapy and to describe the microorganisms that most frequently colonise critically ill patients.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

Observational, single-centre, cohort study that included patients on treatment with ceftazidime-avibactam in ICU between March 2020 and September 2021. Demographic (age, sex), microbiological (colonisation, microorganisms isolated in blood cultures), pharmacotherapeutic (duration of treatment with ceftazidime-avibactam, antimicrobials used in synergy with ceftazidime-avibactam) and clinical (mortality, length of hospital stay and comorbidities) variables were collected. As associated comorbidities, we identified how many of the patients included in the study had diabetes mellitus (DM), chronic kidney disease (CKD), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or obesity.

RESULTS

Eighty-nine patients were included, 85.39% of whom were male. Forty-nine patients were infected with Sars-CoV-2. Median ICU stay was 46 days (RIQ = 58-27) in SARS-CoV-2 infected and 34 days (RIQ = 51-24) in non-infected patients. Patients were on ceftazidime-avibactam treatment for a median of 8 days (RIQ = 13-4), being 7 days (RIQ = 11-2) in COVID-19 positive patients and 11 days (RIQ = 14-6) in COVID-19 negative patients (p > 0.05). Empirical treatment with ceftazidime-avibactam was started empirically in 41.57% (n = 37) of the patients. The percentage of empiric initiations in SARS-CoV-2 infected patients was 43% and in non-infected patients 40%, with no statistically significant difference between empiric initiation according to SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic status (p > 0.05). A total of 43.8% (n = 39) of the patients were colonised by a multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterium. Regarding on the microorganisms that colonised patients had, the most frequent was Klebsiella pneumoniae, present in 66.6% of patients (n = 26 patients). Overall mortality was 41.6%, with no statistically significant differences between SARS-CoV-2 infected and non-infected patients (42.9% and 40%, respectively; p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic did not lead to a change in the criteria for the use of ceftazidime-avibactam in the critically ill patient.

Cross-cultural adaptation of the SCORE survey and evaluation of the impact of Real-Time Random Safety Audits in organizational culture: A multicenter study

OBJECTIVE

To establish a cross-cultural adaptation of the Safety, Communication, Operational Reliability, and Engagement (SCORE) survey and to use this instrument to evaluate the impact of a safety intervention.

DESIGN

Cross-cultural adaptation and before-and-after evaluation study.

SETTING

5 ICU.

PARTICIPANTS

Medical residents, attending physicians, and nurses at those ICU.

INTERVENTIONS

Adaptation of the SCORE survey to Spanish culture. The adapted survey was used to assess all safety-culture-related domains before and one-year after implementing the use of a safety tool, Real-Time Random Safety Audits (in Spanish: Análisis Aleatorios de Seguridad en Tiempo Real, AASTRE).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Adaptabiliy of the Spanish version of SCORE survey in the ICU setting and evaluation of the effect of AASTRE on their domains.

RESULTS

The cross-cultural adaptation was adequate. Post-AASTRE survey scores [mean (standard deviation, SD)] were significantly better in the domains learning environment [50.55 (SD 20.62) vs 60.76 (SD 23.66), p<.0001], perception of local leadership [47.98 (SD 23.57) vs 62.82 (SD 27.46), p<.0001], teamwork climate [51.19 (SD 18.55) vs 55.89 (SD 20.25), p=.031], safety climate [45.07 (SD 17.60) vs 50.36 (SD 19.65), p=.01], participation decision making [3 (SD 0.82) vs 3.65 (SD 0.87), p<.0001] and advancement in the organization [3.21 (SD 0.77) vs 4.04 (SD 0.77), p<.0001]. However, post-AASTRE scores were significantly worse in the domains workload and burnout climate.

CONCLUSIONS

The cross-cultural adaptation of the SCORE survey into Spanish is a useful tool for ICUs. The application of the AASTRE is associated with improvements in six SCORE domains, including the safety climate.