Articles related to CRITICAL CARE

In a prospective study of nearly 4,000 children evaluated for suspected pulmonary embolism, the PERC-Peds rule demonstrated 99.6% sensitivity and a 0.1% false-negative rate. The findings support diagnostic assessment performance in the study population without establishing broader implementation outcomes.

A malpractice lawsuit alleges a prosthetic heart valve was implanted upside down during pediatric cardiac surgery, resulting in prolonged postoperative shock and ECMO support before revision surgery at a second institution. The allegations remain unproven and litigation is ongoing.

A medical ICU implemented risk-stratified nursing interventions to prevent unplanned extubation and reduced event rates from 1.307 to 0.344 per 100 ventilator days over five years. The quality improvement initiative focused on assessment, communication, and standardized prevention bundles.

A growing debate in airway management centers on whether clinicians should favor the term “complex airway” over “difficult airway.” An expert commentary argues that both concepts describe different dimensions of risk and should remain part of a shared airway-management vocabulary.

An Arizona toddler was pronounced dead following resuscitation efforts and later discovered alive in a hospital morgue hours afterward. The unusual case has prompted investigation into death determination, communication, and post-resuscitation safety processes.

Rising measles activity in the United States is renewing attention on nursing preparedness, early recognition, isolation procedures, and complication monitoring.