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INTRODUCTION: This is a study evaluating the effect of Indirect calorimetry on the length of stay. The study comprises of the comparison between the use of indirect calorimetry versus usual care in critically ill mechanically ventilated patients with respect to the length of stay in the intensive care unit, and duration of time on ventilator. Patients were divided on basis of their nutrition risk to study the effect of Indirect calorimetry on the length of stay. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of 166 mechanical ventilated patients in S.L Raheja Hospital. Data was collected from 83 patients who were mechanically ventilated between January 2019 and November 2019 on whom indirect calorimetry was used to measure energy requirements. This cohort was compared to 83 patients between January 2018 and November 2918 where the energy requirements were calculated with the use of predictive equations. Both groups were matched for age, sex, comorbidities, APACHE score and use of vasopressors. RESULTS: Significant difference in the sicker group of patients was seen in the Length of stay in the intensive care unit. (9.23 ± 8.14 vs. 11.52 ± 5.65, p = 0.0034) Patients at risk for malnutrition demonstrated reduced length of time on ventilation as compared to those not at risk. (10.2 ± 11.01 vs. 13 ± 5.87; p = 0.0042). CONCLUSIONS: The use of indirect calorimetry may be associated with a lower length of ICU stay among ventilated patients in a reasonably sick group of mixed surgical patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: COVID‐19 has been linked to over 40 million infections and 1.1 million deaths in 210 countries as of October 19, 2020. This highly contagious communicable disease has put not only infected individuals but other patients and frontline workers like nurses at risk in hospitals, especially in Intensive Care units (ICUs). There is a need for minimizing patient contact, improving hand hygiene practices, and optimizing healthcare provider time, especially nurses. Globally it is estimated that nearly a million health care providers have been infected with COVID‐19 as of the end of October 2020. Methods: This retrospective service evaluation documents the experience of health care providers in a COVID‐19 ICU in India that was used to implement new protocols for secretion management and oral hygiene. Patient chart information and staff feedback were utilized. Intervention: This pilot study captures the practical benefits of using VAPCare, an automated, closed‐loop system for oral secretion removal. Results: Six patients were included in this small‐scale study; three patients following the current standard of care for suctioning and oral hygiene and three receiving the new VAPCare and Lumen device protocol. With the new device protocol, the number of infected secretion interactions by a nurse was 50% lower, and nursing time spent on oral hygiene and secretion management 70% less than seen with the current standard of care. The number of disposable gloves used with VAPCare and Lumen was reduced by over 50%. All 10 nurses and six doctors gave positive feedback on device usage. The department recommended updating protocols to prioritize the use of the new secretion management system for patients with COVID19 and other highly contagious conditions. Conclusion: The findings are an early indication that using VAPCare for patients could help protect infected patients, other ICU patients, and health care workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]