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Certain parameters of complete blood count (CBC) such as red cell distribution width (RDW) and mean platelet volume, as well as neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and RDW-to-platelet ratio (RPR) have been associated with inflammatory status and outcome in diverse medical conditions. The aim of this study was to describe the evolution pattern of these parameters in adult burned patients. Adult burned patients admitted to the National Burn Center in Uruguay between May 2017 and February 2018 (discovery cohort) and between March 2018 and August 2019 (validation cohort) were included. Patients’ characteristics and outcomes were recorded, as well as CBC parameters on days 1, 3, 5, and 7 after thermal injury. Eighty-eight patients were included in the discovery cohort. Total body surface area burned was 14 [7–23]% and mortality was 15%. Nonsurvivors presented higher RDW and mean platelet volume (P < .01). NLR decreased after admission in all patients (P < .01), but was higher in nonsurvivors (P < .01). Deceased patients also presented higher RPR on days 3, 5, and 7 (P < .001). On the contrary, PLR was reduced in nonsurvivors (P < .05). There was a significant correlation between NLR on admission and burn extension and severity. Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed that NLR, PLR, and RPR could identify patients with increased mortality. These findings were confirmed in the validation cohort (n = 95). Basic CBC parameters and derived indices could be useful as biomarkers to determine prognosis in adults with thermal injuries.

Purpose: To compare categorical and continuous combinations of the standardized mortality ratio (SMR) and the standardized resource use (SRU) to evaluate ICU performance. Materials and methods: We analysed data from adult patients admitted to 128 ICUs in Brazil and Uruguay (BR/UY) and 83 ICUs in The Netherlands between 2016 and 2018. SMR and SRU were calculated using SAPS-3 (BR/UY) or APACHE-IV (The Netherlands). Performance was defined as a combination of metrics. The categorical combination was the efficiency matrix, whereas the continuous combination was the average SMR and SRU (average standardized ratio, ASER). Association among metrics in each dataset was evaluated using Spearman's rho and R2. Results: We included 277,459 BR/UY and 164,399 Dutch admissions. Median [interquartile range] ASER = 0.99[0.83–1.21] in BR/UY and 0.99[0.92–1.09] in Dutch datasets. The SMR and SRU were more correlated in BR/UY ICUs than in Dutch ICUs (Spearman's Rho: 0.54vs.0.24). The highest and lowest ASER values were concentrated in the least and most efficient groups. An expert focus group listed potential advantages and limitations of both combinations. Conclusions: The categorical combination of metrics is easy to interpret but limits statistical inference for benchmarking. The continuous combination offers appropriate statistical properties for evaluating performance when metrics are positively correlated.

Resumen: Introducción: la mortalidad de los pacientes con injuria térmica ha descendido a nivel mundial. Este hecho se ha relacionado en parte con la creación de centros especializados en el tratamiento de esta patología. En nuestro medio no existen estudios recientes que evalúen la evolución de la mortalidad en este tipo de centros. Objetivo: describir las características de la población asistida y la evolución de la mortalidad en el Centro Nacional de Quemados. Material y método: estudio transversal, observacional, descriptivo. Se incluyeron todos los pacientes ingresados con diagnóstico de quemadura cutánea o de injuria inhalatoria desde la inauguración del centro en 1995 hasta el 31 de diciembre de 2017. Resultados: ingresaron en el período de estudio 3.050 pacientes quemados, 25% presentaron una superficie corporal quemada superior o igual a 20%. Existió un predominio de pacientes jóvenes (más de 60% menores de 50 años) y de sexo masculino (62%). El agente causal más frecuente fue el fuego directo (71%), seguido por líquidos calientes (9%) y electricidad (5%). El 43% de los pacientes requirió asistencia ventilatoria mecánica, y la estadía media en el centro fue de 17 días. La mortalidad global fue de 19,7%, similar a la esperada de acuerdo a scores de severidad específicos. La mortalidad de los pacientes más graves ha descendido desde la apertura del centro. Conclusiones: nuestro centro asiste predominantemente a pacientes jóvenes, con siniestros que involucran al fuego como el principal agente causal. La mortalidad es acorde a la esperada de acuerdo a los scores de severidad, destacándose un descenso continuo de la misma a lo largo de los años. Abstract: Introduction: burned patients mortality has decreased because of a better understanding of initial shock pathophysiology, early surgical interventions, antibiotic therapy optimization and appropriate nutritional support. Mortality reduction has also been related to the creation of specialized burn centers. There are no recent reports of burn injury patients in our country. Objective: to describe characteristics and evolution of patients assisted at the national burned center (Centro Nacional de Quemados, Uruguay). Methods: transversal, observational, descriptive study. All patients admitted in the center with diagnosis of skin burns or inhalation injury, from the center’s opening in 1995 through December 31, 2017. Results: during the study period 3,050-burned patients were admitted, 25% of which had a total body surface area burnt of at least 20%. There was a predominance of male sex (62%) and young patients (more than 60% had less than 50 years old). The most frequent responsible agent was direct fire (71%), followed by hot liquids (9%) and electricity (5%). Mechanical ventilation was needed in 43% of the patients, and mean length of stay in the center was 17 days. Overall mortality rate was 19.7%, accordingly to that predicted by specific severity scores. In the sub-group of more severe patients, mortality has progressively decreased since the center opening. Conclusions: our center assists young patients with burn injuries mostly caused by direct fire. Overall mortality is in line with the expected according to severity scores, having decreased progressively since the center inauguration. Resumo: Introdução: a mortalidade dos pacientes com injúria térmica tem diminuído em todo o mundo devido, em parte, à criação de centros especializados no tratamento desta patologia. No nosso meio não existem estudos recentes que avaliem a evolução da mortalidade neste tipo de centro. Objetivo: descrever as características da população atendida e a evolução da mortalidade no Centro Nacional de Quemados. Métodos: estudo transversal, observacional, descritivo. Foram incluídos todos os pacientes admitidos com diagnóstico de queimadura cutânea ou de injúria inalatória desde a inauguração do Centro em 1995 até o dia 31 de dezembro de 2017. Resultados: no período estudado, foram admitidos 3050 pacientes queimados, 25% apresentaram uma superfície corporal queimada maior ou igual a 20%. Observou-se o predomínio de pacientes jovens (mais de 60% com menos de 50 anos) e de sexo masculino (62%). O agente causal mais frequente foi o fogo direto (71%), seguido por líquidos quentes (9%) e eletricidade (5%). 43% dos pacientes necessitaram assistência ventilatória mecânica, e a permanência média no Centro foi de 17 dias. A mortalidade global foi de 19,7%, similar à esperada de acordo com os graus específicos de gravidade. A mortalidade dos pacientes mais graves vem diminuindo desde a abertura do centro. Conclusões: nosso centro atende predominantemente pacientes jovem sendo o fogo o principal agente causal. A mortalidade é similar à esperada de acordo com os graus específicos de gravidade, destacando-se um descenso continuo da mesma ao longo dos anos.

Resumen: Introducción: los cuidados paliativos (CP) son un marcador de calidad de asistencia en terapia intensiva; sin embargo, han sido poco evaluados en Uruguay. La detección proactiva de pacientes mediante disparadores de consultas es una estrategia que podría optimizar el acceso a los CP. Objetivos: determinar la prevalencia y las características de los disparadores de consulta de CP en pacientes críticos. Analizar la utilización de recursos en estos pacientes. Material y método: estudio de cohorte, retrospectivo, que incluyó pacientes ingresados a unidad de cuidados intensivos (UCI) entre marzo de 2016 y febrero de 2019. Los disparadores analizados fueron: a) presencia de tumor con metástasis; b) estadía en UCI 50% por encima de la media (14 días); c) >75 años con disfunción orgánica múltiple, y d) >80 años con dos o más comorbilidades graves. Resultados: se analizaron 2.850 pacientes. El 26% (734) presentó al menos un disparador de consulta con CP. El más prevalente: estadía en UCI 50% por encima de la media (18%). Estos pacientes presentaron mayor edad: 61 (43-75) vs 54 (36-65) años (p < 0,001) y mayor gravedad, SAPSIII de 60 (48-74) vs 47 (35-61) puntos (p75 years old with multiple organic dysfunction and d) >80 years old with 2 or more severe comorbidities Results: 2.850 patients were analysed. 26% (734) presented at least one consultation trigger with PC. Length of stay at the ICU 50% over average (18%). These patients presented higher average age 61 (43-75) versus 54 (36-65) years old (p < 0.001), and increased severity, SAPSIII of 60 (48-74) compared to 47 (35-61) points (p75 anos com disfunção de múltiplos órgãos e d) >80 anos com 2 ou mais comorbidades graves. Resultados: 2.850 pacientes foram analisados. 26% (734) apresentaram pelo menos 1 critério de elegibilidade para CP. O mais prevalente foi a permanecia na UTI 50% superior à média (18%). Esses pacientes tinham mais de 61 anos (43-75) vs 54 (36-65) anos (p

Background: The impact of neutropenia in critically ill immunocompromised patients admitted in a context of acute respiratory failure (ARF) remains uncertain. The primary objective was to assess the prognostic impact of neutropenia on outcomes of these patients. Secondary objective was to assess etiology of ARF according to neutropenia. Methods: We performed a post hoc analysis of a prospective multicenter multinational study from 23 ICUs belonging to the Nine-I network. Between November 2015 and July 2016, all adult immunocompromised patients with ARF admitted to the ICU were included in the study. Adjusted analyses included: (1) a hierarchical model with center as random effect; (2) propensity score (PS) matched cohort; and (3) adjusted analysis in the matched cohort. Results: Overall, 1481 patients were included in this study of which 165 had neutropenia at ICU admission (11%). ARF etiologies distribution was significantly different between neutropenic and non-neutropenic patients, main etiologies being bacterial pneumonia (48% vs 27% in neutropenic and non-neutropenic patients, respectively). Initial oxygenation strategy was standard supplemental oxygen in 755 patients (51%), high-flow nasal oxygen in 165 (11%), non-invasive ventilation in 202 (14%) and invasive mechanical ventilation in 359 (24%). Before adjustment, hospital mortality was significantly higher in neutropenic patients (54% vs 42%; p = 0.006). After adjustment for confounder and center effect, neutropenia was no longer associated with outcome (OR 1.40, 95% CI 0.93–2.11). Similar results were observed after matching (52% vs 46%, respectively; p = 0.35) and after adjustment in the matched cohort (OR 1.04; 95% CI 0.63–1.72). Conclusion: Neutropenia at ICU admission is not associated with hospital mortality in this cohort of critically ill immunocompromised patients admitted for ARF. In neutropenic patients, main ARF etiologies are bacterial and fungal infections., SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

Resumen: Introducción: la limitación de terapias de soporte vital (LTSV) es una práctica habitual y éticamente aceptada. La misma se enmarca en el concepto de adecuación del esfuerzo terapéutico. Objetivo: determinar la frecuencia, las directivas de implementación y los factores asociados a LSTV en los pacientes fallecidos en unidades de cuidados intensivos (UCI). Conocer la frecuencia y características del registro de este proceso en la historia clínica. Diseño: estudio observacional multicéntrico de corte transversal. Ámbito: se analizaron las historias clínicas de ocho UCI polivalentes públicas y privadas de Uruguay. Pacientes: se incluyeron todos los pacientes mayores de 18 años fallecidos en un período de seis meses consecutivos en el año 2011. Intervenciones: análisis de las características de los pacientes mediante revisión de historias clínicas. Resultados: analizamos 210 pacientes fallecidos. Se identificó LSTV en 63 (30%). El 75% de las decisiones consistió en la retirada de medidas terapéuticas. Los factores independientemente asociados a LTSV fueron: mayor edad (OR 1,04 (IC 95% 1,01-1,07), p = 0,001), mayor estadía en UCI (OR 1,06 (IC 95% 1,02 - 1,11), p = 0,001) y limitación para las actividades de la vida diaria (OR 4,65 (IC 95% 1,1-19,6), p=0,035). El 70% de las directivas LTSV fueron registradas en la historia clínica. Los soportes vitales más frecuentemente retirados fueron: nutrición parenteral (100%), vasopresores (79%), nutrición enteral (64%) y antimicrobianos (52%). La asistencia ventilatoria mecánica invasiva se retiró en el 33% de los casos. Conclusiones: un tercio de los pacientes fallece con LTSV. Este tipo de decisiones se asocian a mala calidad de vida previa, mayor edad y mayor estadía en UCI. Un tercio de las decisiones de LTSV no son registradas. Abstract: Introduction: withdraw and withhold life support therapies is an usual and ethically accepted practice. Objectives: to determine the frequency, the directives and factors associated with withdrawing and withholding life support therapies in patients who died in ICU. Determine the frequency and characteristics of the record of this process in clinical history. Design: multicentric observational study of cross section. Setting: clinical histories of 8 public and private mixed ICUs in Uruguay were analyzed. Patients: all patients over 18 years who died in a period of 6 consecutive months in 2011 were included. Interventions: analysis of the characteristics of patients through review of clinical histories. Results: we analyzed 210 patients who died. Withdrawing or withholding was identified in 63 (30%). 75% of the decisions consisted in withdraw therapeutic measures. Factors independently associated to withdrowing or withholding therapies were: an older age (OR 1.04 (95% CI 1.01-1.07), p = 0.001), a longer stay in ICU (OR 1.06 (95% CI 1, 02 - 1.11), p = 0.001), and the limitation for activities of daily living (OR 4.65 (95% CI 1.1 -19.6), p = 0.035). 70% of the decisions were recorded in the clinical history. The most frequently removed vital supports were: parenteral nutrition (100%), vasopressors (79%), enteral nutrition (64%) and antimicrobials (52%). Invasive mechanical ventilatory assistance was removed in 33% of the cases. Conclusions: one third of patients die with LSTL. These types of decisions are associated with a poor quality of life, an older age and a longer stay in the ICU. One third of LTSV decisions are not registered. Resumo: Introdução: a limitação do emprego de terapias de suporte vital (LTSV) é uma prática habitual e eticamente aceitada. Esta decisão está compreendida no conceito de adequação do esforço terapêutico. Objetivos: determinar a frequência, as normas de implementação e os fatores associados à LSTV nos pacientes falecidos em unidades de cuidados intensivos (UCI). Conhecer a frequência e as características do registro deste processo no prontuário do paciente. Tipo de estudo: estudo observacional multicêntrico de corte transversal. Escopo: foram analisados os prontuários dos pacientes de 8 UCIs polivalentes públicas e privadas do Uruguai. Pacientes: foram incluídos todos os pacientes maiores de 18 anos falecidos em um período de 6 meses consecutivos em 2011. Intervenções: análise das características dos pacientes pela revisão dos prontuários dos pacientes. Resultados: analisamos 210 pacientes falecidos. Em 63 (30%) pacientes foi registrada a LTSV. 75% das decisões consistiam na retirada de medidas terapêuticas. Os fatores independentemente associados a LTSV foram: idade mais avançada (OR 1,04 (IC 95 % 1,01-1,07), p = 0,001), maior permanência na UCI (OR 1,06 (IC 95% 1,02 - 1,11), p = 0,001), e limitação para as atividades da vida diária (OR 4,65 (IC 95% 1,1 -19,6), p=0,035). 70% das diretivas LTSV foram registradas no prontuário do paciente. Os suportes vitais mais frequentemente retirados foram: nutrição parenteral (100%), vasopressores (79%), nutrição enteral (64%) e antimicrobianos (52%). A assistência ventilatória mecânica invasiva foi retirada em 33% dos casos. Conclusões: um terço dos pacientes falece com LTSV. Este tipo de decisão está associada à má qualidade de vida previa, idade mais avançada e maior permanência em UCI. Um terço das decisões de LTSV não é registrado.

Major burn injury triggers severe oxidative stress, a systemic inflammatory response, and a persistent hypermetabolic and hypercatabolic state with secondary sarcopenia, multiorgan dysfunction, sepsis and an increased mortality risk. Calorie deficit, negative protein balance and antioxidant micronutrient deficiency after thermal injury have been associated to poor clinical outcomes. In this context, personalized nutrition therapy with early enteral feeding from the start of resuscitation are indicated. Over the last four decades, different nutritional and pharmacological interventions aimed at modulating the immune and metabolic responses have been evaluated. These strategies have been shown to be able to minimize acute malnutrition, as well as modulate the immunoinflammatory response, and improve relevant clinical outcomes in this patient population. The purpose of this updating review is to summarize the most current evidence on metabolic response and nutrition therapy in critically ill burn patients.

Resumen La quemadura grave induce estres oxidativo severo, respuesta inflamatoria sistemica, hipermetabolismo e hipercatabolismo severo y persistente con sarcopenia secundaria, disfuncion organica, sepsis y mayor mortalidad. El deficit energetico, el balance negativo de proteinas y la deficiencia de micronutrientes antioxidantes durante la agresion termica estan asociados a malos resultados clinicos. En este contexto, una terapia nutricional personalizada, priorizando la nutricion enteral precoz, esta indicada desde el inicio de la fase de resucitacion. En las ultimas 4 decadas se han estudiado diferentes intervenciones nutricionales y farmacologicas moduladoras de la respuesta inmune y metabolica. Dichas estrategias han demostrado ser capaces de minimizar la malnutricion aguda, modular la respuesta inmunoinflamatoria y mejorar los resultados clinicos. El proposito del presente estudio de revision es analizar la evidencia mas reciente sobre la respuesta metabolica y la terapia nutricional en el paciente quemado critico.

Background: Respiratory complications of solid organ transplant (SOT) are a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge when requiring intensive care unit (ICU) admission. We aimed at describing this challenge in a prospective cohort of SOT recipients admitted in the ICU. Methods: In this post hoc analysis of an international cohort of immunocompromised patients admitted in the ICU for an acute respiratory failure, we analyzed all SOT recipients and compared their severity, etiologic diagnosis, prognosis, and outcome according to the performance of an invasive diagnostic strategy (encompassing a fiber-optic bronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage), the type of transplanted organ, and the need of invasive ventilation at day 1. Results: Among 1611 patients included in the primary study, 142 were SOT recipients (kidney, n = 73; 51.4%; lung, n = 33; 23.2%; liver, n = 29; 20.4%; heart, n = 7; 4.9%). Lung transplant recipients were younger than other SOT recipients, and severity did not differ across type of received organ. An invasive diagnostic strategy was more frequently performed in lung transplant recipients with a trend toward a higher rate of bacterial etiology in lung than kidney transplant recipients. Overall ICU survival of SOT recipients was 75.4%. Invasive diagnostic strategy, type of transplanted organ, and need of invasive mechanical ventilation at day 1 did not affect ICU prognosis. Conclusions: ICU management of hypoxemic acute respiratory failure in SOT recipients translated into a low ICU mortality rate, whatever the transplanted organ or the acute respiratory failure cause. The post-ICU burden of acute respiratory failure SOT recipients remains to be investigated., SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

Background: It is unclear whether influenza infection and associated co-infection are associated with patient-important outcomes in critically ill immunocompromised patients with acute respiratory failure. Methods: Preplanned secondary analysis of EFRAIM, a prospective cohort study of 68 hospitals in 16 countries. We included 1611 patients aged 18 years or older with non-AIDS-related immunocompromise, who were admitted to the ICU with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure. The main exposure of interest was influenza infection status. The primary outcome of interest was all-cause hospital mortality, and secondary outcomes ICU length of stay (LOS) and 90-day mortality. Results: Influenza infection status was categorized into four groups: patients with influenza alone (n = 95, 5.8%), patients with influenza plus pulmonary co-infection (n = 58, 3.6%), patients with non-influenza pulmonary infection (n = 820, 50.9%), and patients without pulmonary infection (n = 638, 39.6%). Influenza infection status was associated with a requirement for intubation and with LOS in ICU (P < 0.001). Patients with influenza plus co-infection had the highest rates of intubation and longest ICU LOS. On crude analysis, influenza infection status was associated with ICU mortality (P < 0.001) but not hospital mortality (P = 0.09). Patients with influenza plus co-infection and patients with non-influenza infection alone had similar ICU mortality (41% and 37% respectively) that was higher than patients with influenza alone or those without infection (33% and 26% respectively). A propensity score-matched analysis did not show a difference in hospital mortality attributable to influenza infection (OR = 1.01, 95%CI 0.90-1.13, P = 0.85). Age, severity scores, ARDS, and performance status were all associated with ICU, hospital, and 90-day mortality. Conclusions: Category of infectious etiology of respiratory failure (influenza, non-influenza, influenza plus co-infection, and non-infectious) was associated with ICU but not hospital mortality. In a propensity score-matched analysis, influenza infection was not associated with the primary outcome of hospital mortality. Overall, influenza infection alone may not be an independent risk factor for hospital mortality in immunosuppressed patients., SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

Detailed information about lung cancer patients requiring admission to intensive care units (ICUs) is mostly restricted to single-center studies. Our aim was to evaluate the clinical characteristics and outcomes of lung cancer patients admitted to ICUs.Prospective multicenter study in 449 patients with lung cancer (small cell, n = 55; non-small cell, n = 394) admitted to 22 ICUs in six countries in Europe and South America during 2011. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards frailty models were built to identify characteristics associated with 30-day and 6-month mortality.Most of the patients (71%) had newly diagnosed cancer. Cancer-related complications occurred in 56% of patients; the most common was tumoral airway involvement (26%). Ventilatory support was required in 53% of patients. Overall hospital, 30-day, and 6-month mortality rates were 39%, 41%, and 55%, respectively. After adjustment for type of admission and early treatment-limitation decisions, determinants of mortality were organ dysfunction severity, poor performance status (PS), recurrent/progressive cancer, and cancer-related complications. Mortality rates were far lower in the patient subset with nonrecurrent/progressive cancer and a good PS, even those with sepsis, multiple organ dysfunctions, and need for ventilatory support. Mortality was also lower in high-volume centers. Poor PS predicted failure to receive the initially planned cancer treatment after hospital discharge.ICU admission was associated with meaningful survival in lung cancer patients with good PS and non-recurrent/progressive disease. Conversely, mortality rates were very high in patients not fit for anticancer treatment and poor PS. In this subgroup, palliative care may be the best option.

Rationale:Intensive care unit (ICU) patients undergo several diagnostic and therapeutic procedures every day. The prevalence, intensity, and risk factors of pain related to these procedures are not well known. Objectives: To assess self-reported procedural pain intensity versus baseline pain, examine pain intensity differences across procedures, and identify risk factors for procedural pain intensity. Methods: Prospective, cross-sectional, multicenter, multinational study of pain intensity associated with 12 procedures. Data were obtained from 3,851 patients who underwent 4,812 procedures in 192 ICUs in 28 countries. Measurements andMain Results: Painintensity on a 0–10 numeric rating scale increased significantly from baseline pain during all procedures (P , 0.001). Chest tube removal, wound drain removal, and arterial line insertion were the three most painful procedures, with median pain scores of 5 (3–7), 4.5 (2–7), and 4 (2–6), respectively. By multivariate analysis, risk factors independently associated with greater procedural pain intensity were the specific procedure; opioid administration specifically for the procedure; preprocedural pain intensity; preprocedural pain distress; intensity of the worst pain on the same day, before the procedure; and procedure not performed by a nurse. A significant ICU effect was observed, with no visible effect of country because of its absorption by the ICU effect. Some of the risk factors became nonsignificant when each procedure was examined separately. Conclusions: Knowledge of risk factors for greater procedural pain intensity identified in this study may help clinicians select interventions that are needed to minimize procedural pain. Clinical trial registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT 01070082).

Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) is a life-threatening infection documented in up to 15% of hematology patients who require intensive care for acute respiratory failure. We report outcomes in hematology patients given mechanical ventilation (MV) with IPA. Retrospective study of all hematology patients given MV with IPA between January 1998 and March 2011 at a single center. Predictors of 6-month survival or mortality were identified using multivariable analysis. We studied 67 patients including 49 (73%) with neutropenia, 23 (34%) with long-term steroid therapy, and 14 (21%) with allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. Incidence of IPA in the ICU decreased between 1998 and 2011, and mortality in patients receiving mechanical ventilation did not change. IPA was confirmed in 6 patients by autopsy and was probable in 61 patients based on host factors, clinical and radiographic features, and either Aspergillus isolation (50 patients) or Aspergillus antigen detection alone (11 patients). Concomitant bacterial infections were documented in 24 (36%) patients. ICU and 6-month mortality rates were 67 and 82%, respectively. Mortality was stable throughout the study period. Concomitant bacterial infection was independently associated with higher mortality [HR, 2.1 (1.2–3.8)]. Mortality was lower in patients given voriconazole [OR, 0.5 (0.3–0.9)]. Hospital mortality remains high in hematology patients requiring MV with IPA, particularly when concommittant infection occurred. The use of voriconazole improved survival.

Invasive aspergillosis is a common condition in patients with hematologic malignancies. Symptoms are extremely non-specific, and therefore it is necessary to be familiar with the diagnostic tests for early diagnosis. This review has attempted to clarify the current evidence regarding the following areas: clinical presentation, methods of study and treatment of this condition in hemato-oncological critical patients.

Prolonged shifts, workload, stress, and different conflicts are associated with burnout, loss of psychological wellbeing, and probably with an inadequate sleep quality (ISQ). This relevant disturbance leads to deterioration of the work performance, may impair quality of care provided to patients and increases the incidence of serious adverse events. The objective was to determine the prevalence of ISQ and sleepiness among Uruguayan ICU workers, and to evaluate risk factors associated with ISQ.

The aim was to evaluate clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with lung cancer requiring ventilatory support.

The ICU is a stressful place with several sources of conflicts. Among ICU workers, conflicts lead to burnout, loss of psychological well-being, and deterioration of the work performance. Intra-team conflicts (conflicts that occur among members of the intensive care team) are one of the most frequent types of conflicts in the ICU. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence, risk factors and consequences associated with intra-team conflicts in the ICU.

Information about lung cancer patients surviving critical illnesses is very scarce. Our aim was to evaluate the outcomes and continuing of anticancer treatments in lung cancer patients surviving ICU admission.

Burnout syndrome (BOS) is defined as a state of emotional fatigue that leads to a loss of motivation, usually progressing towards feelings of inadequacy and failure. Severe BOS is relevant as it leads to loss of psychological well-being, increased absenteeism and turnover, and deterioration in the quality of care provided to patients. The objective was to determine the prevalence of BOS among Uruguayan ICU clinicians. To evaluate personal or organization characteristics associated with the development of severe BOS.

Blood transfusions are associated with infectious complications. Despite this, only a few studies link the use of blood transfusions with the development of fungal infections. This study was performed to assess risk factors associated with Candida colonization and infection.