Insights and Advances in Multidisciplinary Critical Care: A Review of Recent Research

Abstract

The intensive care unit is a work environment where superior dedication is pivotal to optimize patients' outcomes. As this demanding commitment is multidisciplinary in nature, it requires special qualities of health care workers and organizations. Thus research in the field covers a broad spectrum of activities necessary to deliver cutting-edge care. However, given the abundance of research articles and education activities available, it is difficult for modern critical care clinicians to keep up with the latest progress and innovations in the field. This article broadly summarizes new developments in multidisciplinary intensive care, providing elementary information about advanced insights in the field by briefly describing selected articles bundled in specific topics. Issues considered include cardiovascular care, monitoring, mechanical ventilation, infection and sepsis, nutrition, education, patient safety, pain assessment and control, delirium, mental health, ethics, and outcomes research.

Effect of a 2-tier rapid response system on patient outcome and staff satisfaction

“…12,13 A number of ward staff indicated they did not always feel confident to activate the RRT but were prepared to request ICUON assistance. This lack of confidence, or fear of activating higher levels of response, is consistent with previous reports 5,15,23,24 and is often related to previous negative experiences with RRT members.…”

The impact of intensive care unit physician staffing change at a community hospital

“…An emphasis was placed on evidence-based medicine with the incorporation of guideline-driven patient care. 6 , 21 – 29 …”

Care of patients undergoing weaning from mechanical ventilation in critical care

“…Danbury et al (2013) recommend that physiotherapists are essential in constructing weaning and rehabilitation strategies that work in conjunction to optimise a patient's capacity and reserve. The implementation of rehabilitation and early mobilisation in mechanically ventilated patients has shown physical and psychological function benefits (Ntoumenopoulos, 2015), decreases the risk of polyneuropathy and shortens the duration of weaning (Blot, Afonso and Labeau, 2014). Physical rehabilitation is crucial, as muscle weakness after mechanical ventilation is associated with mortality (Medrinal et al, 2016).…”

“…A Critical Care Nurses must consider all dimensions of a patients needs including physical, emotional, social and spiritual (Cutler and Cutler, 2010). A Critical Care admission is a stressful and strenuous event for patients and their families (Blot, Afonso and Labeau, 2014). MacIntyre et al (2001) highlight that psychological factors are among the most prevalent factors leading to ventilator dependence as well social, familial and economic issues.…”