140 Influenza Steven M. Opal, Anand Kumar Influenza is a zoonosis indigenous to waterfowl, with periodic introduction of the virus into humans and other mammals. The consequences of host species…

W10 Paracentesis and Diagnostic Peritoneal Lavage Louis H. Alarcon Paracentesis: Before Procedure Indications • Paracentesis is the insertion of a needle or catheter into the peritoneal cavity for the purpose…

223 Evaluating Pediatric Critical Care Practices Anthony D. Slonim, Murray M. Pollack Today’s healthcare environment demands attention to evaluating care so that improvement efforts can be made. Evaluation efforts must…

190 Pharmacoeconomics Joseph F. Dasta, Sandra Kane-Gill Pharmacoeconomics is a branch of health economics that analyzes the economic impact and cost-effectiveness of pharmaceuticals.1 This definition has been broadened to include…

174 Drug Therapy in Renal Failure Rima A. Mohammad, Gregory A. Eschenauer, Gary R. Matzke The incidence of acute kidney injury or insufficiency (AKI) in the intensive care unit (ICU)…

225 Transport Medicine Kate Felmet Critically ill patients occasionally need to be moved within an institution or between hospitals. Transport of critically ill patients is a procedure with risks and…

193 Epistaxis Karen H. Calhoun, Minka Schofield Epistaxis is a nosebleed. It ranges from minor blood-tinged mucus when blowing the nose to life-threatening hemorrhage. The focus in this chapter is…

184 Opioids Nicole C. Bouchard, Lewis S. Nelson History Few medicines have graced history as have opium and its derivatives. The Sumerians used and cultivated the opium poppy as early…

61 Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Peter M.A. Calverley Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major cause of death and disability worldwide and is one of the most common reasons…

41 Intensive Care After Neurosurgery Andrew I.R. Maas, Philippe G. Jorens, Nino Stocchetti Overview Appropriate neurocritical care is fundamental to the success of neurosurgical interventions to the brain and spinal…