BackgroundCentral venous catheterisation is commonly used in critical patients in intensive care units (ICU). It may cause complications and attribute to increase mortality and morbidity. At coronary ICU (CICU) of cardiac hospital, central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) rate was 2.82/1000 central line days in 2015 and 3.11/1000 central line days in 2016. Working in collaboration with Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), we implemented evidence-based practices in the form of bundles in with the aim of eliminating CLABSI in CICU.MethodsIn collaboration with IHI, we worked on this initiative as multidisciplinary team and tested several changes. CLABSI prevention bundles were tested and implemented, single kit for line insertion, simulation-based training for line insertions, standardised and real-time bundle monitoring by direct observations are key interventions tested. We used model for improvement and changes were tested using small Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles. Surveillance methods and CLABSI definition used according to National Healthcare Safety Network.ResultsThe CLABSI rate per 1000 patient-days dropped from 3.1 per 1000 device-days to 0.4 per 1000 device-days. We achieved 757 days free of CLABSI in the unit till December 2018 when a single case happened. After that we achieved 602 free days till July 2020 and still counting.ConclusionsImplementation of evidence-based CLABSI prevention bundle and process monitoring by direct observation led to significant and subsequently sustained improvement in reducing CLABSI rate in adult CICU.

BackgroundThere is limited information regarding the clinical characteristics and outcome of out of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) in Middle Eastern patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical characteristics, treatment, and outcomes in patients admitted following OHCA at a single center in the Middle East over a 20-year period.MethodsThe data used for this hospital-based study were collected for patients hospitalized with OHCA in Doha, Qatar, between 1991 and 2010. Baseline clinical characteristics, in-hospital treatment, and outcomes were studied in comparison with the rest of the admissions.ResultsA total of 41,453 consecutive patients were admitted during the study period, of whom 987 (2.4%) had a diagnosis of OHCA. Their average age was 57±15 years, and 72.7% were males, 56.5% were Arabs, and 30.9% were South Asians. When compared with the rest of the admissions taken as a reference, patients with OHCA were more likely to have diabetes mellitus (42.8% versus 39.1%, respectively, P=0.02), prior myocardial infarction (21.8% versus 19.2%, P=0.04), and chronic renal failure (7.4% versus 3.9%, P=0.001), but were less likely to have dyslipidemia (16.9% versus 25.4%, P=0.001). Further, 52.6% of patients had preceding symptoms, the most common of which was chest pain (27.2%) followed by dyspnea (24.8%). An initially shockable rhythm (ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia) was present in 25.1% of OHCA patients, with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction documented in 30.0%. Severely reduced left ventricular systolic function (ejection fraction ≤35%) was present in 53.2% of OHCA patients; 42.9% had cardiogenic shock requiring use of inotropes at presentation. An intra-aortic balloon pump was inserted in 3.6% of cases. Antiarrhythmic medications were used in 27.4% and thrombolytic therapy in 13.9%, and 10.8% underwent a percutaneous coronary procedure (coronary angiography ± percutaneous coronary intervention). The in-hospital mortality rate was 59.8%.ConclusionOHCA was associated with higher incidences of diabetes, prior myocardial infarction, and chronic kidney disease as compared with the remaining admissions. Approximately half of the patients had no preceding symptoms. In-hospital mortality was high (59.8%), but similar to the internationally published data.

Between 1991 and 2013, we evaluated the demographics, presentations, and final diagnosis of patients hospitalized with acute cardiac events and left bundle branch block (LBBB). Of 50 992 patients, 768 (1.5%) had LBBB. Compared with non-LBBB patients, patients with LBBB were mostly older, female, diabetic, and had hypertension and chronic kidney failure (CKF; P < .001 for all). Dyspnea (P < .001) and dizziness (P = .037) were more frequent in patients with LBBB. The most frequent cause of admission with LBBB was congestive heart failure (CHF; 54.2%), followed by ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI; 13.3%), valvular heart disease (9.4%), unstable angina (8.3%) and Non-STEMI (7.7%). On multivariate analysis, CKF (odds ratio [OR]: 2.02, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.09-3.70) and LBBB (OR: 2.96, 95% CI: 2.01-4.42) were predictors of in-hospital mortality in the entire study population. Further analysis of patients with LBBB showed that CKF (OR: 2.93, 95% CI: 1.40-6.12) was the only predictor of in-hospital mortality. Regardless the presenting symptoms, CHF was the final diagnosis in most cases with LBBB.

BackgroundData about the use of positive inotropic agents in patients hospitalized with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) is limited.MethodsThe records of 8066 patients with ADHF who were hospitalized at Hamad Medical Corporation, Qatar from 1991 to 2013 were analyzed to explore demographics and clinical characteristics of the patients according to inotropic agents use.ResultsEight hundred fifty eight patients [10.6 %, 95 % CI (10 to 11.3 %)] received intravenous inotropic support. Patients receiving inotropes were more likely to be female and have preserved ejection fraction when compared to those not receiving inotropic agents. Comorbidities associated with higher likelihood of receiving inotropic treatment included acute myocardial infarction, chronic renal impairment, dyslipidemia, hypertension, obesity and hyperglycemia. Patient on inotropes were more likely to undergone percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), intra-aortic balloon pump support and intubation. There were no differences in the mean plasma BNP and CK-MB levels between the 2 groups. Heart failure patients receiving inotropes also were more likely to have complications including ventricular tachycardia (2.0 % vs. 0.9 %, p = 0.003), prolonged hospital stay (8.0 vs. 5.0 days, p = 0.001), cardiac arrest (14.6 % vs. 3.2 %, p = 0.001) and in-hospital mortality (30.8 % vs. 9.1 %, p = 0.001). Over the study period there was an increase use of inotropic agents and decreased mortality rates.ConclusionInotropic use increased over the period whereas; female gender and conventional cardiac risk factors were predictors of inotropic agents use in the study.

Percutaneous coronary intervention had increased significantly during the last quarter of the study. There was a decline in the in-hospital mortality among patients with STEMI during the last quarter of the study.