Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) is an important means to control bacterial resistance. The unique situation of intensive care unit (ICU) poses a challenge to AMS. This article reviews the literature on AMS in the ICU at home and abroad in recent years, and summarizes the related measures of AMS. Effective AMS measures in the ICU include setting up a multidisciplinary AMS team, using rapid microbial diagnosis technology to shorten the time of diagnosis, using non-culture methods to assess the necessity of antimicrobial therapy for patients with suspected sepsis, and evaluating the effectiveness of antimicrobial therapy as early as possible and optimizing it. These initiatives aim to increase the rational use of antimicrobials in ICU, reduce the risk of multidrug-resistant infections, and improve patients’ condition.
Objective To investigate the predictors for carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii, Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CR-AEP) as the pathogens of bloodstream infection (BSI) for intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Methods A retrospective case-control study based on ICU- healthcare-associated infection (HAI) research database was carried out. The patients who have been admitted to the central ICU between 2015 and 2019 in the ICU-HAI research database of West China Hospital of Sichuan University were selected. The included patients were divided into two groups, of which the patients with ICU-acquired BSI due to CR-AEP were the case group and the patients with BSI due to the pathogens other than CR-AEP were the control group. The clinical features of the two groups of patients were compared. Logistic regression model was used to identify the predictors of BSI due to CR-AEP.ResultsA total of 197 patients with BSI were included, including 83 cases in the case group and 114 cases in the control group. A total of 214 strains of pathogenic bacteria were isolated from the 197 BSI cases, including 86 CR-AEP strains. The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that previous use of tigecycline [odds ratio (OR)=2.490, 95% confidence interval (CI) (1.141, 5.436), P=0.022] was associated with higher possibility for CR-AEP as the pathogens of BSI in ICU patients with BSI, while previous use of antipseudomonal penicillin [OR=0.497, 95%CI (0.256, 0.964), P=0.039] was associated with lower possibility for that. Conclusion Previous use of tigecycline or antipseudomonal penicillin is the predictor for CR-AEP as the pathogens of BSI in ICU patients with BSI.
ObjectiveTo explore the effect of early enteral nutrition (EEN) on immune status of patients in intenseive care unit (ICU). MethodsA prospective control study was conducted from July 2011 to December 2012, and 80 patients after trauma and surgery were admitted to ICU. The Patients were divided into EEN group and normal enteral nutrition (NEN) group randomly. Enteral nutrition in EEN group began within 24 hours after admitted to ICU, while within 48 hours in NEN group. ResultsIn 80 patients, 78(37 in EEN group and 41 in NEN group) completed the end point. The baseline in two groups was consistent (P>0.05). The indicators of lymphocyte, IgA, IgG, IgM and CD4+, CD8+, natural kill cell and pre-albumin values in EEN group were higher than those in NEN group (P<0.05). The incidence of diarrhea (8.1%, 26.8%) and infection of wound (2.7%, 17.1%) in EEN were less than those in NEN group. The hospitalization duration in ICU in EEN group[(7.94±3.72) days] was also shorter than that in NEN group[(10.62±3.14) days]. ConclusionEarly enteral nutrition improves immune function and nutrition status in ICU patients; it also protects gut barrier function and reduces the ICU hospitalization duration.
ObjectiveTo observe the effect of target monitoring on the patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in intensive care unit (ICU), analyze the risk factors and take effective measures to reduce the VAP occurrence. MethodsTarget monitoring was performed on patients with ventilator in ICU from January to July 2013 (observation group), and they were compared with those patients accepting general comprehensive monitoring in ICU from January to July 2012 (control group). The incidence of VAP was compared between the two groups. ResultsThe incidence of VAP in the observation group and the control group was 21.73‰ and 53.33‰, respectively. There was a significant difference between the observation group and the control group (P<0.05). ConclusionFor patients undergoing mechanical ventilation, target monitoring can control the risk factors and incidence of VAP, adjust the interference in time, and improve the curing rate.
Objective To formulate an evidence-based nursing scheme of eye care for an unconscious patient undergoing mechanical ventilation with eye complication. Methods Under the principle of PICO, the issue was put forward aiming directly at patient’s clinical manifestations, and the following databases as The Cochrane Library (Issue 12, 2011), PubMed (January 1980 to November 2011), EMbase (1974 to 2011) and CBM (1978 to 2011) were searched. Results A total of 3 guidelines, 2 systematic reviews and 9 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included. The evidence showed that eye cleaning was the very important part of eye care, and the commonly-used cleaning or rinsing solutions were saline and sterile water. Both moist cover and lubricating eye drops / ointment were used to prevent dryness in the eyes. For instance, polyethylene moisture covers could effectively prevent corneal abrasion, and lubricating eye drops / ointment were beneficial to eye observation, so these two methods needed to be properly selected in combination with patient’s conditions. Nurses had to assess the ability of the patient to close eyelids daily and helped the patient to close eyes, but the passive eyelids closure was inferior to the artificial tear ointment in the effect on preventing corneal abrasions; the integrated intervention of maintaining eyelids closure and forming eyeballs moisture chamber was more effective to prevent eye complications. According to the available evidence mentioned herein and the patient’s conditions, the following nursing scheme of eye care was formulated: cleaning the eyelids and peripheral skin using 0.9% saline gauze, covering the eyes with sterile polyethylene films which were fixed by anti-allergic adhesive tapes, changing the dressing every 12 hours, and observing closure of the eyelids every day. Seven days later, eye symptoms got obviously improved, with decreasing secretion, without congestion and chemosis, and negative results of fluorescein staining test. Conclusion Eye cleaning removes secretion and bacteria from the eyes. Polyethylene film prevents tear from evaporation and fully promotes the immune function of tears which can reduce the risk of infection. Eyelids closure and local moisture environment benefit the corneal epithelial repair.
ObjectiveTo provide recommendations for the management of intensive care unit patients without novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).MethodsWe set up a focus group urgently and identified five key clinical issues through discussion. Total 23 databases or websites including PubMed, National Guideline Clearing-House, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention and so on were searched from construction of the library until February 28, 2020. After group discussion and collecting information, we used GRADE system to classify the evidence and give recommendations. Then we apply the recommendations to manage pediatric intensive care unit in the department of critical care medicine in our hospital. ResultsWe searched 13 321 articles and finally identified 21 liteteratures. We discussed twice, and five recommendations were proposed: (1) Patients should wear medical surgical masks; (2) Family members are not allowed to visit the ward and video visitation are used; (3) It doesn’t need to increase the frequency of environmental disinfection; (4) We should provide proper health education about the disease to non-medical staff (workers, cleaners); (5) Medical staff do not need wear protective clothing. We used these recommendations in intensive care unit management for 35 days and there was no novel coronavirus infection in patients, medical staff or non-medical staff. ConclusionThe use of evidence-based medicine for emergency recommendation is helpful for the scientific and efficient management of wards, and is also suitable for the management of general intensive care units in emergent public health events.
ObjectiveTo investigate the causes of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in patients with tumor in Intensive Care Unit (ICU), and take effective intervention measures to reduce the incidence of VAP. MethodsThe targeted monitoring was conducted for the ICU patients who underwent the mechanical ventilation for over 48 hours from January 2013 to December 2014. Then the conventional nursing measures where adopted in 2013 without any field intervention measure implemented. While the prevention and control method was conducted in 2014 and the causes of VAP was valued and anyzed. ResultsAfter adopting intervention measures, the thousand-day rate of VAP decreased from 8.71‰ before the interventions to 2.30‰ after the interventions. The utilization rate of ventilators increased from 63% to 72% after the interventions were taken in 2014. The constituent ratio of the multidrug-resistant bacteria among the isolated pathogens in each year presented a downward trend. ConclusionVAP is common in ICU patients. It is necessary to reach preventive measures and designated position and ventilator management so as to prevent the occurrence of new nosocomial infection.
With the continuous development of critical care medicine, the survival rate of critical ill patients continues to increase. However, the residual dysfunction will have a far-reaching impact on the burden on patients, families, and health-care systems, and will significantly increase the demand of the follow-up rehabilitation treatment. Critical illness rehabilitation intervenes patients who are still in the intensive care unit (ICU). It can prevent complications, functional deterioration and dysfunction, improve functional activity and quality of life, shorten the time of mechanical ventilation, the length of ICU stay and hospital stay, and also reduce medical expenses. Experts at home and abroad believe that early rehabilitation of critical ill patients is safe and effective. So rehabilitation should be involved in critical ill patients as early as possible. However, the promotion of this model is still limited by the setting of safety parameters, the ICU culture, the lack of critical rehabilitation professionals, and the physiological and mental cognitive status of patients. Rehabilitation treatment in ICU is constantly being practiced at home and abroad.
Objective To evaluate the effect of active screening and intervention of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) on control nosocomial infection in the general intensive care unit (ICU). Methods A non-concurrent control trial was conducted in patients hospitalized in the ICU for more than 24 hours in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University. Patients underwent active screening of MDROs for nasal vestibular swab, throat swab and rectal swab combined with further intensive intervention for patients with positive screening result during Sept. 2014 to Aug. 2015 were included as an intervention group, patients only underwent active screening during Sept. 2013 to Aug. 2014 were included as a screening group, and patients without undergoing active screening during Sept. 2012 to Aug. 2013 were as a control group. SPSS 19.0 software was used to compare the hospital infection rate and the infection rate of MDROs among the three groups. Results A total of 1 773 patients were included, of which 655 patients were in the intervention group, 515 patients were in the screening group, and 603 patients were in the control group. The difference of hospital infection rates among the three groups was statistically significant (χ2=21.087, P < 0.001), and further pairwise comparison results showed that the intervention group was lower than the screening group (χ2=5.891, P=0.015), and the screening group was lower than the control group (χ2=4.259, P=0.039). The adjustment daily infection rate of the intervention group, screening group and control group were 6.69‰, 10.88‰, and 15.39‰, respectively. The difference of MDROs hospital infection rates among the three groups was statistically significant (χ2=21.039, P < 0.001), and further pairwise comparison results showed that the intervention group was lower than the screening group (χ2=5.936, P=0.015), and the screening group was lower than the control group (χ2=5.798, P=0.016). The MDROs thousand daily infection rate of the intervention group was lower than that of the screening group (3.90‰ vs. 7.30‰, χ2=5.999, P=0.014). Conclusion The active screening plus intensive intervention of MDROs can effectively reduce the incidence rates of nosocomial infections and MDROs infections in ICU.