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Purpose: It remains unknown whether critically ill trauma patients can be successfully managed by advanced practitioners (APs). The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of night coverage by APs in a high-volume trauma intensive care unit (ICU) on patient outcomes and care processes., Materials and Methods: During the study period, our ICU was staffed by APs during the night shift (7 pm-7 am) from Sunday to Wednesday and by resident physicians (RPs) from Thursday to Saturday. On-call trauma fellows and attending surgeons in house supervised both APs and RPs. Patient outcomes and care processes by APs was compared with those admitted by RPs., Results: A total of 289 patients were identified between July 2013 and February 2014. Median lactate clearance rate within 24 hours of admission was similar between study groups (10.0% vs 9.1%; P = .39). Advanced practitioners and RPs transfused patients requiring massive transfusion with a similar blood product ratio (packed red blood cell:fresh frozen plasma) (2.1:1 vs 1.7:1; P = .32). In a multiple logistic regression analysis, AP coverage was not associated with any clinical outcome differences., Conclusions: Our data suggest that, with adequate supervision, a high-volume trauma ICU can be safely staffed by APs overnight., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The rate of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections has increased significantly over the last years, especially from community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA) sources. The true prevalence of these multidrug-resistant infections among the trauma patient population, however, is not well defined. A retrospective review of our surgical intensive care unit (SICU) database from April 2003 to April 2007 was performed to identify all trauma patients surviving 48 hours or more that had a positive culture result during their SICU stay. The results of the cultures were examined. A total of 582 SICU patients with 2,860 cultures were assessed for MRSA infection. Among these, 368 cultures (12.9%) in 36 patients were reported as MRSA positive. Thirteen of these patients fulfilled the criteria for a CA-MRSA infection. When outcomes were analyzed, no significant difference in mortality (8.7% vs 15.4%, P = 0.540) or hospital related charges ($364,231 +/- 323,719 vs $242,458 +/- 276,630, P = 0.091) was noted. Patients with a hospital-acquired MRSA infection, however, had longer hospital lengths of stay (42.7 +/- 47.1 vs 25.3 +/- 31.1, P = 0.037) than their community-associated counterparts. MRSA constitutes an important source of infection among critically ill trauma patients. CA-MRSA organisms may play an increasing pathogenic role in this population.

Background: The correlation between the events occurring in the initial 24 h following traumatic injury and the outcome of patients presenting with hypovolaemic shock is not clear., Methods: 27 patients who presented to a regional trauma centre with severe hypovolaemic shock were prospectively monitored. Evidence of severe hypovolaemia and shock was noted on admission with a mean systolic blood pressure of 73.8 mm Hg and a mean lactate level of 6.6 mM/l. The patients received a mean of 21.7 litres intravenous fluids during the first 24 h to maintain a mean systolic blood pressure >or=110 mm Hg and urine output of >or=50 ml/h. Multiple metabolic and physiological parameters were obtained prospectively and on an almost hourly basis for the first 24 h after admission. Patients were followed throughout their stay in hospital to record outcome, complications, total hospital costs and length of stay., Results: Using regression and multivariate analysis, adult respiratory distress syndrome was correlated with hypothermia and persistent lactic acidosis (R(2) = 0.65, p = 0.005). Coagulopathy was associated with hypothermia (R(2) = 0.43, p = 0.04). Length of stay and cost of hospitalisation were highly related to intensive care unit days, hospital-acquired infections and ventilator days (R(2) = 0.86, p = 0.03)., Conclusion: The initial 24 h events of trauma patients with haemorrhagic shock may have a significant impact on hospital costs and on complications developing later during hospitalisation.

Introduction: The importance of tight glycaemic control has gained acceptance over the last 5 years as a critical component of routine intensive care unit (ICU) measures. In an environment already strained for resources and staffing, however, effective strategies providing for increased input and responsibility of bedside nursing personnel are paramount to successful implementation., Hypothesis: Increasing input and responsibilities of ICU nursing staff in tight glycaemic control policies improves glucose control in the trauma ICU., Methods: After Institutional Review Board approval, we conducted a prospective "before-after" trial examining the effect of nursing education and input on outcome of a tight (goal 80-120 mg/dL) glycaemic control protocol. After a three month assessment of compliance with a previously physician-developed protocol, an educational in-service was conducted for all trauma ICU nursing staff. Nursing staff were then asked to provide input on the development of a new protocol using multiple-choice ballots to define 7 components of protocol criteria. Using nursing input, we developed and implemented a new glycaemic protocol that shifted much of the responsibility for initiation and subsequent adjustment of insulin infusion to the bedside nurse, allowing them to more liberally utilise their bedside clinical judgment and knowledge of the specific patient., Results: Nursing input on seven factors of protocol criteria did not differ significantly from the previously existing protocol, except with reference to nursing desire for increased responsibility in the implementation and maintenance of tight glycaemic control. After three months implementation of a new protocol developed utilising nursing input, both mean blood glucose levels achieved (137.8 mg/dL vs. 128.2mg/dL, p=0.028) and time to first hourly blood glucose within goal range (<120 mg/dL) was improved (36 h vs. 9h). The number of hypoglycaemic (BS <60) episodes increased slightly after revision (1 event vs. 5 event), with no hypoglycaemic seizures or coma occurring during either period., Conclusion: Nursing input and increased responsibility improved the results of a tight glycaemic control in our trauma ICU. Increasing nursing input in the development and implementation of a tight glycaemic policies can result in safe and effective improved glucose control in the trauma ICU.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of early optimization in the survival of severely injured patients., Summary Background Data: It is unclear whether supranormal ("optimal") hemodynamic values should serve as endpoints of resuscitation or simply as markers of the physiologic reserve of critically injured patients. The failure of optimization to produce improved survival in some randomized controlled trials may be associated with delays in starting the attempt to reach optimal goals. There are limited controlled data on trauma patients., Methods: Seventy-five consecutive severely injured patients with shock resulting from bleeding and without major intracranial or spinal cord trauma were randomized to resuscitation, starting immediately after admission, to either normal values of systolic blood pressure, urine output, base deficit, hemoglobin, and cardiac index (control group, 35 patients) or optimal values (cardiac index >4.5 L/min/m2, ratio of transcutaneous oxygen tension to fractional inspired oxygen >200, oxygen delivery index >600 mL/min/m2, and oxygen consumption index >170 mL/min/m2; optimal group, 40 patients). Initial cardiac output monitoring was done noninvasively by bioimpedance and, subsequently, invasively by thermodilution. Crystalloids, colloids, blood, inotropes, and vasopressors were used by predetermined algorithms., Results: Optimal values were reached intentionally by 70% of the optimal patients and spontaneously by 40% of the control patients. There was no difference in rates of death (15% optimal vs. 11% control), organ failure, sepsis, or the length of intensive care unit or hospital stay between the two groups. Patients from both groups who achieved optimal values had better outcomes than patients who did not. The death rate was 0% among patients who achieved optimal values compared with 30% among patients who did not. Age younger than 40 years was the only independent predictive factor of the ability to reach optimal values., Conclusions: Severely injured patients who can achieve optimal hemodynamic values are more likely to survive than those who cannot, regardless of the resuscitation technique. In this study, attempts at early optimization did not improve the outcome of the examined subgroup of severely injured patients.

Background: A previous report of 5,782 trauma patients demonstrated higher mortality among those transported by emergency medical services (EMS) than among their non-EMS-transported counterparts., Hypothesis: Trauma patients who are transported by EMS and those who are not differ in the injury-to-hospital arrival time interval., Design: Prospective cohort-matched observation study., Setting: Level I trauma center, multidisciplinary study group., Patients: All non-EMS patients were matched with the next appropriate EMS patient by an investigator who was unaware of the outcome and mode of transport. Every 10th EMS patient with an Injury Severity Score (ISS) of 13 or greater was also randomly enrolled. Matching characteristics included age, ISS, mechanism of injury, head Abbreviated Injury Score, and presence of hypotension. An interview protocol was developed to determine the time of injury. Interview responses from patients, witnesses, and friends were combined with data obtained from police, sheriff, and medical examiner reports., Main Outcome Measures: Time to the hospital, mortality, morbidity, and length of stay., Results: A total of 103 patients were enrolled (38 non-EMS, 38 EMS matched, 27 random EMS). Injury time was estimated using all available data made on 100 patients (97%). Independent raters agreed in 81% of cases. Deaths, complications, and length of hospital stay were similar between the EMS- and non-EMS-transported groups. Although time intervals were similar among the groups overall, more critically injured non-EMS patients (ISS > or = 13) got themselves to the trauma center in less time than their EMS counterparts (15 minutes vs 28 minutes; P<.05)., Conclusions: A multidisciplinary approach can be utilized, and an interview protocol created to determine actual time of injury. Critically injured non-EMS-transported patients (ISS > or =13) arrived at the hospital earlier after their injuries.

Large databases allow for rapid access to large volumes of data. To convert raw data to information, large numbers of data points must be correlated into a descriptive pattern that can be interpreted by the user. Databases must be constructed so as to allow reliable extraction of the raw data into a format that supports analysis of events in a meaningful, objective, and reproducible manner. Databases must be responsive to a variety of users. They must not demand unrealistic amounts of effort on those responsible for data entry. Standard protocols in various stages of development will make databases easier to use and more reliable. Database management tools such as the Internet and the National Library of Medicine will become more integrated into the practice of critical care medicine at all levels, including administration, clinical care, and research. This article provides an overview of the capabilities and difficulties associated with large databases. The major areas of use of large databases in the hospital setting are administration, bibliographic, patient care, research, and education. Each of these areas has different requirements and is supported by different types of databases. The advantages and disadvantages of linear, relational, and object-oriented databases are discussed. Issues relating to methods of data entry and the accuracy and reliability of data are discussed. The challenges involving integration of various sources of data and the interfacing of devices are reviewed.

Objectives: To test a model for the assessment of critical care technology on closed loop infusion control, a technology that is in its early stages of development and testing on human subjects., Data Sources: A computer-assisted search of the English language literature and reviews of the gathered data by experts in the field of closed loop infusion control systems., Study Selection: Studies relating to closed loop infusion control that addressed one or more of the questions contained in our technology assessment template were analyzed. Study design was not a factor in article selection. However, the lack of well-designed clinical outcome studies was an important factor in determining our conclusions., Data Extraction: A focus person summarized the data from the selected studies that related to each of the assessment questions. The preliminary data summary developed by the focus person was further analyzed and refined by the task force. Experts in closed loop systems were then added to the group to review the summary provided by the task force. These experts' comments were considered by the task force and this final consensus report was developed., Data Synthesis: Closed loop system control is a technological concept that may be applicable to several aspects of critical care practice. This is a technology in the early stages of evolution and much more research and data are needed before its introduction into usual clinical practice. Furthermore, each specific application and each device for each application (e.g., nitroprusside infusion, ventilator adjustment), although based on the same technological concept, are sufficiently different in terms of hardware and computer algorithms to require independent validation studies., Conclusions: Closed loop infusion systems may have a role in critical care practice. However, for most applications, further development is required to move this technology from the innovation phase to the point where it can be evaluated so that its role in critical car practice can be defined. Each application of closed loop infusion systems must be independently validated by appropriately designed research studies. Users should be provided with the clinical parameters driving each closed loop system so that they can ensure that it agrees with their opinion of acceptable medical practice. Clinical researchers and leaders in industry should collaborate to perform the scientifically valid, outcome-based research that is necessary to evaluate the effect of this new technology. The original model we developed for technology assessment required the addition of several more questions to produce a complete analysis of an emerging technology. An emerging technology should be systematically assessed (using a model such as the model developed by the Society of Critical Care Medicine), before its introduction into clinical practice in order to provide a focus for human outcome validation trials and to minimize the possibility of widespread use of an unproven technology.