Multiple organ dysfunction syndrome pathogenesis and care: a complex systems’ theory perspective

Abstract

Some of the principles of chaotic complex systems may need to be taken into account to advance care in MODS. An alternative theoretical perspective may support nurses to conceptualize both MODS and their role in a way that will help them to cope better with this devastating syndrome and develop practice.

The corpus callosum of critical care: interprofessional education, collaboration and birth of a meta‐paradigm

“…Nonetheless, interprofessional tensions and poor communication and collaboration persist (Garland, 2005; Rose, ). Concomitantly, major unrelenting critical care problems, such as sepsis, multiple organ dysfunction, end‐of‐life care, and the need to foster patient‐focused and holistic care call for a new direction in our perspectives and practices (Papathanassoglou et al ., ).…”

“…The underlying perspective is that the pressing issue is not how to promote collaboration, but to come up with a common purpose of, and common grounds for collaboration. unrelenting critical care problems, such as sepsis, multiple organ dysfunction, end-of-life care, and the need to foster patient-focused and holistic care call for a new direction in our perspectives and practices (Papathanassoglou et al, 2008).…”

A Complex Systems View of Sepsis

“…It is possible to understand such systems from evaluation of the individual components. 4 Components of a complex system often display features of structural or organizational self-similarity or fractal patterns. To better describe complex systems with a multitude of interacting component variables, nonlinear dynamics, a science of phenomena that change in a nonlinear fashion, must be used.…”

“…Further complicating the management of sepsis is the pathogen-host response characterized by the adaptation of bacteria to the host response, modifying resistance and toxin production. 4 Panels of biomarkers have been found to be more effective than individual assays in the detection of sepsis. 14 As noted by Ahn and colleagues, 3 the application of clinical practice should be systems-oriented.…”

Sepsis bundles: time for a nursing initiative?

“…How do these deviant responses emerge? Most probably because of the exaggerated inflammation and the overwhelming stress imposed to the body (Epstein and Breslow, 1999; Adib‐Conquy and Cavaillon, 2007; Papathanassoglou et al , 2008), entities that should be targeted, specifically, in future care bundles.…”