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Articles and journal scans about Infection/sepsis
Article
January 2016
Temperature correction of blood gas and pH measurement - an unresolved controversy
The process of blood gas and pH measurement involves preheating the arterial blood sample to normal body temperature (37 °C) prior to measurement of pH, partial pressure of oxygen (pO2) and partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2).
This ensures that results reflect in vivo temperature condition. A minority of...
Preanalytical phase
Blood gases/acid-base
Infection/sepsis
Article
April 2015
Update on Procalcitonin Measurements
Reprinted from Ann Lab Med 2014 Sep; 34(4):263-73.
Procalcitonin (PCT) is used as a biomarker for the diagnosis of sepsis, severe sepsis and septic shock. At the same time, PCT has also been used to guide antibiotic therapy. This review outlines the main indications for PCT measurement and points out possible...
Infection/sepsis
PCT
CRP
Kidneys/fluids
Article
April 2013
Predictive value of C-reactive protein in children with appendicitis
Few studies have addressed the predictive value of C-reactive protein at different cutoff values in appendicitis. We have determined the cutoff values for C-reactive protein levels at different periods during clinical evolution of appendicitis and established their use to support the diagnosis of appendicitis.
The...
Infection/sepsis
Point-of-care testing
CRP
Journal Scan
July 2012
Increased blood glucose in patients with sepsis
Frequent blood glucose measurement is one element of the routine intensive monitoring that all critically ill patients receive following admission to intensive care units. Transient increase in blood glucose concentration (hyperglycemia) is very common in this patient group. The significance of this so called stress...
Infection/sepsis
Glucose
Article
April 2012
C-reactive protein point-of-care testing for respiratory-tract infections in primary care
Differentiating self-limiting from serious lower-respiratory-tract infections (LRTI) based on medical history and physical examination is challenging in primary care. Many family physicians (FPs) empirically prescribe antibiotics to most LRTI patients.
The use of C-reactive protein (CRP) point-of-care testing as an...
Infection/sepsis
Point-of-care testing
PCT
CRP
Article
January 2012
Why Point of Care lactate?
Sepsis is a major cause of mortality and morbidity for hospitalized patients around the world. Early intervention can reduce mortality and morbidity from severe sepsis, but signs and symptoms of sepsis are non-specific. Point-of-care lactate has proved to be an invaluable tool for some institutions in standardized...
Glucose
Infection/sepsis
Point-of-care testing
Process optimization
Lactate
Article
July 2011
How to manage sepsis in the Emergency Department leading to a decreased mortality in ICU - the Critical Care Cascade
Patients with sepsis, severe sepsis and/or septic shock are at increased risk of death and organ dysfunction.
While morbidity and mortality of patients with severe traumatic injury, acute myocardial infarction or stroke have been significantly reduced during recent years by the implementation of well-coordinated...
Infection/sepsis
Glucose
Point-of-care testing
Lactate
Hemoglobins
Journal Scan
January 2011
Therapeutic hypercapnia in sepsis
Mechanical ventilation is necessary for survival of patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). It was once supposed that ventilation should be adjusted to maintain pCO2(a) within the normal range but this degree of mechanical ventilation can result in further damage to the lungs.
Less aggressive (low...
Blood gases/acid-base
Infection/sepsis
Journal Scan
January 2011
Severe sepsis reduces accuracy of pulse oximetry
Pulse oximetry provides the means for continuous non-invasive monitoring of blood oxygenation by measuring % oxygen saturation (SpO2). This safe, easy and convenient method of monitoring oxygenation status is ubiquitous in clinical medicine and is now a routine part of the overall assessment and monitoring of all...
Blood gases/acid-base
Infection/sepsis
Journal Scan
April 2010
Infection - a downside of blood transfusion therapy
Around a third of critically ill patients are given transfusion of packed red cells but there is an ever-growing body of research evidence to suggest that blood transfusion may not be as beneficial to all patients as was once supposed.
Some studies, for example, have revealed that patients given transfusion might be...
Infection/sepsis