Objectives In the Fluid and Catheter Treatment Trial (FACTT) of the National Institutes of Health Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Network, a conservative fluid protocol (FACTT Conservative) resulted in a lower cumulative fluid balance and better outcomes than a liberal fluid protocol (FACTT Liberal). Subsequent Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Network studies used a simplified conservative fluid protocol (FACTT Lite). The objective of this study was to compare the performance of FACTT Lite, FACTT Conservative, and FACTT Liberal protocols. Design Retrospective comparison of FACTT Lite, FACTT Conservative, and FACTT Liberal. Primary outcome was cumulative fluid balance over 7 days. Secondary outcomes were 60-day adjusted mortality and ventilator-free days through day 28. Safety outcomes were prevalence of acute kidney injury and new shock. Setting ICUs of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Network participating hospitals. Patients Five hundred three subjects managed with FACTT Conservative, 497 subjects managed with FACTT Liberal, and 1,124 subjects managed with FACTT Lite. Interventions Fluid management by protocol. Measurements and Main Results Cumulative fluid balance was 1,918 ± 323 mL in FACTT Lite, −136 ±491 mL in FACTT Conservative, and 6,992 ± 502 mL in FACTT Liberal (p < 0.001). Mortality was not different between groups (24% in FACTT Lite, 25% in FACTT Conservative and Liberal, p = 0.84). Ventilator-free days in FACTT Lite (14.9 ±0.3) were equivalent to FACTT Conservative (14.6±0.5) (p = 0.61) and greater than in FACTT Liberal (12.1 ±0.5, p < 0.001 vs Lite). Acute kidney injury prevalence was 58% in FACTT Lite and 57% in FACTT Conservative (p = 0.72). Prevalence of new shock in FACTT Lite (9%) was lower than in FACTT Conservative (13%) (p = 0.007 vs Lite) and similar to FACTT Liberal (11%) (p = 0.18 vs Lite). Conclusions FACTT Lite had a greater cumulative fluid balance than FACTT Conservative but had equivalent clinical and safety outcomes. FACTT Lite is an alternative to FACTT Conservative for fluid management in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome.

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Neutrophil recruitment to the alveolar space is associated with increased epithelial permeability. The present study investigated in mice whether neutrophil recruitment to the lung leads to accumulation of plasma-derived host defense proteins in the alveolar space and whether respiratory burst contributes to this increase in permeability. Albumin, complement C1q, and IgM were increased in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid 6 h after intratracheal LPS challenge. Neutrophil depletion before LPS treatment completely prevented this increase in BAL fluid protein concentration. Respiratory burst was not detected in neutrophils isolated from BAL fluid, and BAL proteins were increased in mice deficient in a key subunit of the respiratory burst apparatus, gp91(phox), similar to wild-type mice. Neutrophil recruitment elicited by intratracheal instillation of the chemokines macrophage inflammatory protein-2 and keratinocyte-derived chemokine was also accompanied by accumulation of albumin, C1q, and IgM. During neutrophil recruitment to the alveolar space, epithelial permeability facilitates delivery of host defense proteins. The observed increase in epithelial permeability requires recruitment of neutrophils, but not activation of the respiratory burst, and occurs with chemokine-induced neutrophil migration independent of LPS exposure.

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We describe the effect of simulation-based education on residents' adherence to protocols for and performance of central venous access.Methods: Internal medicine and emergency medicine residents underwent a central venous access course that included a lecture, video presentation, readings, and simulation demonstrations presented by faculty. Baseline data were collected before the course was initiated. After a skills session where they rehearsed their ultrasound-guided central venous access skills, residents were evaluated using a procedural checklist and written knowledge exam. Residents also completed questionnaires regarding confidence in performing ultrasound-guided central venous access and opinions about the training course.Results: Residents demonstrated significant improvement on the written knowledge exam (P < 0.0001) and Standard Protocol Checklist (P < 0.0001) after the training course. Training improved a number of patient safety elements, including adherence to sterile technique, transparent dressing, discarding sharps, and ordering postprocedure x-rays. However, a number of residents failed to wash their hands, prepare with chlorhexidine, drape the patient using a sterile technique, anesthetize the site, and perform a preprocedure time-out. Significant improvement in procedural skills was also noted for reduction in skin-to-vein time (P < 0.003) as well as a reduction in number of residents who punctured the carotid artery (P < 0.02).Conclusions: Simulation-based education significantly improved residents' knowledge and procedural skills along with their confidence. Adherence to the protocol also improved. This study illustrates that simulation-based education can improve patient safety through training and protocols.