Category: Safety/Quality/Management Introduction: Inadequate allocation of critically ill patients in hospital settings poses significant challenges, potentially leading to suboptimal care, increased complications, and higher mortality rates. Factors such as ICU bed availability, variability in acuity assessment, and communication gaps among healthcare teams contribute to delays or inappropriate placement of patients in general wards or stepdown units.(–) Objective: This systematic review examines the implications of inadequate allocation of critically ill patients to wards or stepdown units. It analyzes contributing factors, clinical […]

Category: Safety/Quality/Management Introduction: Patient safety is characterized as a series of actions aimed at preventing and minimizing harm or potential complications associated with healthcare practices.() Health care education is an important tool in promoting patient safety since it aims to raise individual and collective awareness among professionals that completed their studies or are currently undergoing training. Information and Communication Technologies have allowed professionals to disseminate content for educational purposes, as well as provided for self-learning via the Internet, thereby reinforcing […]

Category: Safety/Quality/Management Introduction: Proper care for venous catheters is essential in managing critically ill patients, assessing clinical needs, duration of access, and specific patient conditions.() Certain tools can be used to make well-informed, evidence-based choices as part of safe, harm-free and minimally invasive care practices. The Michigan Appropriateness Guide for Intravenous Access (MAGIC®).() and the Venous Access Device (VAD) Expert® were used in this study. Objectives: Compare recommendations provided under the MAGIC® and DAV Expert® algorithms as part of decision-making […]

Category: Cardiology Introduction: Although an experienced clinician can predict the likely outcome of attempting to wean the patient from mechanical ventilation, it is desirable to have predictive indices that can be easily measured and widely applied. In this scenario there is a need to understand whether peripheral muscle strength can be a predictor after cardiac surgery. Objective: To evaluate the impact of peripheral muscle strength on extubation success after cardiac surgery. Methods: This is a prospective cohort study. Evaluation of […]

Category: Infection Introduction: Antimicrobial resistance is considered a global health problem, which compromises the effectiveness of antibiotics, making the treatment of common infections unfeasible.() Microorganisms can undergo genetic mutation when exposed to antimicrobial drugs and are referred to as “superbugs.” Healthcare-related infections have an impact on hospital mortality, length of stay and costs. Developing countries suffer from a higher burden of these infections, which can be up to 20 times higher than developed countries.(,) Objective: Review the literature highlighting what […]

Category: Infection Introduction: Von Zumbusch syndrome, also known as Leiner-Moussous ichthyosiform erythroderma, is a rare and severe form of generalized pustular psoriasis. Characterized by the sudden appearance of sterile pustules (filled with liquid) on the skin, which then turn red and peel intensely, it initially appears in areas of flexure. It may be accompanied by fever, general malaise, muscle weakness and other systemic symptoms. It can be dangerous due to potential complications such as dehydration, secondary infection and organ failure. […]

Category: Hemodynamics/Shock/Sepsis Introduction: Capillary refill time (CRT) assessment is pivotal in evaluating peripheral perfusion and circulatory status in adult critically ill patients.(–) Prolonged CRT serves as an early indicator of compromised tissue perfusion and potential circulatory insufficiency.(,) Objective: This systematic review synthes current evidence on the diagnostic accuracy, prognostic implications, and correlations with lactate levels and mottling scores of CRT in adult critically ill patients. Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases was conducted for studies […]

Category: Hemodynamics/Shock/Sepsis Introduction: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) provides advanced bridge therapy for refractory cardiopulmonary failure and perioperative support, including refractory cardiopulmonary resuscitation,() being associated with improved survival and neurological outcomes in these patients.() Neurological complications such as seizures, intracranial hemorrhage, ischemic stroke, cerebral microembolism, among others, are frequently encountered and are important causes of sequelae and functional impairment in these patients.() These complications are more common in V-A ECMO compared to V-V ECMO.() Neurological complications are also more frequent in […]

Category: Hemodynamics/Shock/Sepsis Introduction: Circulatory shock secondary to severe trauma is a significant cause of death globally.() Many cases undergo peritoniostomy and the assessment of metabolic and perfusion variables is crucial as early diagnosis of hypoperfusion is a fundamental part of management in these patients.(,) Objective: To analyze perfusion and tissue oxygenation trends in post-peritoneostomy polytraumatized patients, focusing on mortality and seeking to understand the consequences of tissue dysoxia. Methods: Prospective longitudinal study in specialized trauma ICUs including severely traumatized adults […]

Category: Hemodynamics/Shock/Sepsis Introduction: Intravenous fluid therapy is a fundamental aspect of critical care, yet the optimal choice between balanced crystalloids and saline solutions remains a subject of ongoing debate. This debate is fueled by the significant impact fluid choice can have on patient outcomes, particularly in critically ill individuals. Systematic reviews aiming to clarify this issue by synthesizing existing evidence have yielded varying conclusions, likely due to differences in methodological rigor. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the methodological quality […]