IntroductionA recent meta-analysis showed that weaning with SmartCare™ (Dräger, Lübeck, Germany) significantly decreased weaning time in critically ill patients. However, its utility compared with respiratory physiotherapist–protocolized weaning is still a matter of debate. We hypothesized that weaning with SmartCare™ would be as effective as respiratory physiotherapy–driven weaning in critically ill patients.MethodsAdult critically ill patients mechanically ventilated for more than 24 hours in the adult intensive care unit of the Albert Einstein Hospital, São Paulo, Brazil, were randomly assigned to be weaned either by progressive discontinuation of pressure support ventilation (PSV) with SmartCare™. Demographic data, respiratory function parameters, level of PSV, tidal volume (VT), positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP), inspired oxygen fraction (FiO2), peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2), end-tidal carbon dioxide concentration (EtCO2) and airway occlusion pressure at 0.1 second (P0.1) were recorded at the beginning of the weaning process and before extubation. Mechanical ventilation time, weaning duration and rate of extubation failure were compared.ResultsSeventy patients were enrolled 35 in each group. There was no difference between the two groups concerning age, sex or diagnosis at study entry. There was no difference in maximal inspiratory pressure, maximal expiratory pressure, forced vital capacity or rapid shallow breathing index at the beginning of the weaning trial. PEEP, VT, FiO2, SpO2, respiratory rate, EtCO2 and P0.1 were similar between the two groups, but PSV was not (median: 8 vs. 10 cmH2O; p =0.007). When the patients were ready for extubation, PSV (8 vs. 5 cmH2O; p =0.015) and PEEP (8 vs. 5 cmH2O; p <0.001) were significantly higher in the respiratory physiotherapy–driven weaning group. Total duration of mechanical ventilation (3.5 [2.0–7.3] days vs. 4.1 [2.7-7.1] days; p =0.467) and extubation failure (2 vs. 2; p =1.00) were similar between the two groups. Weaning duration was shorter in the respiratory physiotherapy–driven weaning group (60 [50–80] minutes vs. 110 [80–130] minutes; p <0.001).ConclusionA respiratory physiotherapy–driven weaning protocol can decrease weaning time compared with an automatic system, as it takes into account individual weaning difficulties.Trial registrationClinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT02122016. Date of Registration: 27 August 2013.

Introduction Reduction of automatic pressure support based on a target respiratory frequency or mandatory rate ventilation (MRV) is available in the Taema-Horus ventilator for the weaning process in the intensive care unit (ICU) setting. We hypothesised that MRV is as effective as manual weaning in post-operative ICU patients.

BackgroundIn 2009, an outbreak of respiratory illness caused by influenza A H1N1 virus occurred worldwide. Some patients required Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission. The use of non-invasive ventilation (NIV) in these patients is controversial, as the aerosol dispersion may contaminate the environment and health-care co-workers.MethodsDescribe the respiratory profile, the mortality rate, and the benefit of using NIV in patients with confirmed diagnosis of influenza AH1N1 who were admitted in the ICU during the year 2009.ResultsA total of 1, 401 cases of influenza A H1N1 were confirmed in our hospital by real-time RT-PCR in 2009, and 20 patients were admitted to the ICU. The patients' ages ranged from 18 to 74 years (median of 42). Acute Respiratory Failure (ARF) was present in 70% of patients. The median Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score was 7 (range 7 to 25). Of the 14 patients who developed ARF, 85.7% needed NIV and 14% needed invasive MV at admission. Our success rate (41.6%) with NIV was higher than that described by others. The hospital mortality rate was 2.1%. When influenza A H1N1 arrived in Brazil, the disease was already on endemic alert in other countries. The population was already aware of the symptoms and the health-care system of the treatment. This allowed patients to be properly and promptly treated for influenza A H1N1, while health-care workers took protective measures to avoid contamination.ConclusionIn our study we found a high success and low mortality rates with non-invasive ventilation in patients with influenza A H1N1.

Background Although there are simple and low-cost measures to prevent healthcare-associated infections (HAI), they remain a major public health problem. Quality issues and a lack of knowledge about HAI control among healthcare professionals may contribute to this scenario. Aim To present the implementation of a project to prevent HAI in intensive care units (ICU) using the quality improvement (QI) collaborative model Breakthrough Series (BTS). Methods A QI report was conducted to assess the results of a national project in Brazil between January/2018 and February/2020. A one-year pre-intervention analysis was conducted to determine the incidence density baseline of the three main HAI: central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI), ventilation-associated pneumonia (VAP), and catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CA-UTI). The BTS methodology was applied during the intervention period to coach and empower healthcare professionals providing evidence-based, structured, systematic, and auditable methodologies and QI tools to improve patients’ care outcomes. Results A total of 116 ICUs were included in this study. The three HAI showed a significant decrease of 43.5%, 52.1%, and 65.8% for CLABSI, VAP, and CA-UTI, respectively. A total of 5,140 infections were prevented. Adherence to bundles inversely correlated with the HAI incidence densities: CLABSI insertion and maintenance bundle (R = -0.50, P-value = 0.010 and R = -0.85, P-value &lt;0.001, respectively), VAP prevention bundle (R = -0.69, P-value &lt;0.001), and CA-UTI insertion and maintenance bundle (R = -0.82, P-value &lt;0.001 and R = -0.54, P-value = 0.004, respectively). Conclusion Descriptive data from the evaluation of this project show that the BTS methodology is a feasible and promising approach to preventing HAI in critical care settings.

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

Introduction: Failure to accurately estimate energy requirements may result in an impaired recovery. Overfeeding has been associated with increased carbon dioxide production, respiratory failure, hyperglycemia and fat deposits in the liver, while underfeeding can lead to malnutrition, muscle weakness and impaired immunity. Objective: This study aimed to determine the metabolic profile of infant and preschool children submitted to mechanical ventilation in the ICU. Methods: A prospective study was carried out in a pediatric ICU in Rio de Janeiro that included children aged from 1 month to 6 years submitted to mechanical ventilation from June 2013 to May 2015. Indirect calorimetry was used to obtain resting energy expenditure (REE) and oxygen consumption (VO 2) in the first 48 hours of admission. The predicted basal metabolic rate (PBMR) was calculated using the Schofield equation. The metabolic state of each patient was assigned as hypermetabolic (REE/PBMR >110%), hypometabolic (REE/PBMR <90%) or normal (REE/PBMR 90-110%). The ratio of caloric intake to REE was also calculated and ratios of >1.5 and <0.5 were classified as overfeeding and underfeeding respectively. Results: A total of 35 infants and 17 preschool children were included. The male/female ratio was 34/18. In respect of severity of sepsis, 19 patients had septic shock, 24 had sepsis, five had severe sepsis and four had systemic inflammatory response syndrome. We observed a high incidence of hypometabolism (88.5%) and a low incidence of normal metabolism (7.7%) and hypermetabolism (3.8%). A low value of VO 2 was observed in 46.1% of the patients (VO 2 ≤120 ml/minute/m 2), a normal value in 40.4% (VO 2 >120 to ≤160 ml/minute/m 2) and a high value in only 13.5% of the patients (VO 2 > 160 ml/minute/m 2). Among the 52 included patients, 18 were fasting at the moment of the examination. The ratio of caloric intake to REE for the remaining 34 patients showed 38.2% overfeeding, 11.8% underfeeding and 50.0% normal feeding. Conclusion: Predictive equations do not accurately predict REE in critically ill infants and preschool children, resulting in inadequate feeding. Although hypermetabolism and enhanced energy expenditure are the main clinical features of critical illness in adults, the majority of our patients were found to be hypometabolic which reinforces the need for a different approach between adult and pediatric critically ill patients.