Objective To assess the knowledge and use of the ABCDEF bundle to implement the Pain, Agitation, Delirium (PAD) guidelines. Design Worldwide On-line Survey. Setting Intensive care. Intervention A cross-sectional online survey using the Delphi method was administered to intensivists worldwide, to assess the knowledge and use of all aspects of the ABCDEF bundle (Assessment, prevention and management of pain; spontaneous awakening and Breathing trials; Choice of analgesia and sedation; Delirium assessment; Early mobility and exercise and Family engagement and empowerment.) Measurement and Main Results There were 1521 respondents from 47 countries, 57% had implemented the ABCDEF bundle, with varying degrees of compliance across continents. Most of the respondents (83%) used a scale to evaluate pain. SATs and SBTs are performed in 66% and 67% of the responder ICUs respectively. Sedation scale was used in 89% of ICUs. Delirium monitoring was implemented in 70% of ICUs, but only 42% used a validated delirium tool. Likewise, early mobilization was “prescribed” by most but 69% had no mobility team and 79% used no formal mobility scale. Only 36% of the respondents assessed ICU acquired weakness. Family members were actively involved in 67% of ICUs, however only 33% used dedicated staff to support families and only 35% reported that their unit was open 24 hours/day for family visits. Conclusions The current implementation of the ABCDEF bundle varies across individual components and regions. We identified specific targets for quality improvement and adoption of the ABCDEF bundle. Our data reflect a significant but incomplete shift towards patient- and family-centered ICU care in accordance with the PAD guidelines.

BackgroundAuthors of recent meta-analyses have reported that prolonged glucocorticoid treatment is associated with significant improvements in patients with severe pneumonia or acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) of multifactorial etiology. A prospective randomized trial limited to patients with sepsis-associated ARDS is lacking. The objective of our study was to evaluate the efficacy of hydrocortisone treatment in sepsis-associated ARDS.MethodsIn this double-blind, single-center (Siriraj Hospital, Bangkok), randomized, placebo-controlled trial, we recruited adult patients with severe sepsis within 12 h of their meeting ARDS criteria. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1 ratio) to receive either hydrocortisone 50 mg every 6 h or placebo. The primary endpoint was 28-day all-cause mortality; secondary endpoints included survival without organ support on day 28.ResultsOver the course of 4 years, 197 patients were randomized to either hydrocortisone (n = 98) or placebo (n = 99) and were included in this intention-to-treat analysis. The treatment group had significant improvement in the ratio of partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood to fraction of inspired oxygen and lung injury score (p = 0.01), and similar timing to removal of vital organ support (HR 0.74, 95 % CI 0.51–1.07; p = 0.107). After adjustment for significant covariates, day 28 survival was similar for the whole group (HR 0.80, 95 % CI 0.46–1.41; p = 0.44) and for the larger subgroup (n = 126) with Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score <25 (HR 0.57, 95 % CI 0.24–1.36; p = 0.20). With the exception of hyperglycemia (80.6 % vs. 67.7 %; p = 0.04), the rate of adverse events was similar. Hyperglycemia had no impact on outcome.ConclusionsIn sepsis-associated ARDS, hydrocortisone treatment was associated with a significant improvement in pulmonary physiology, but without a significant survival benefit.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT01284452. Registered on 18 January 2011.

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In patients with cardiogenic pulmonary edema in the ED, high-flow nasal cannula therapy may decrease the severity of dyspnea during the first hour of treatment.