The Economics of Critical Care: Measuring and Improving Value in the ICU
I. COSTS AND BURDEN OF CRITICAL CARE A. Caring for the critically ill or injured is a complex and resource-intensive endeavor. There are roughly 6,000 intensive care units in the United States,…
Fluids, Electrolytes, and Acid–Base Management
Optimal management of fluids, electrolytes, and acid–base status in critically ill patients requires a general understanding of their normal composition and regulation. Disease processes, trauma, and surgery can all affect…
Critical Care of the Neurological Patient
I. INTRODUCTION A. Common Problems and Diagnoses Requiring Neurocritical Care 1. Increased intracranial pressure (ICP) → requiring close monitoring, hyperosmolar therapy, and/or surgical intervention: related to edema (traumatic brain injury, strokes: posterior fossa…
Sedation and Analgesia
I. INTRODUCTION A. The management of pain, sedation, and delirium has a significant impact on patients’ clinical and functional long-term outcome. Many patients are admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) for respiratory…
Valvular Heart Disease
The prevalence of valvular heart disease is an increasingly burdensome problem and a common complicating comorbidity in the critically ill patient. I. AORTIC STENOSIS (AS) refers to a narrowing of the…
