- Ethics
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Impact of institutional case volume on intensive care unit mortality
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Christine Kang, Ho Geol Ryu
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Acute Crit Care. 2023;38(2):151-159. Published online May 31, 2023
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/acc.2023.00689
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 Abstract
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- The primary aim of this review is to explore current knowledge on the relationship between institutional intensive care unit (ICU) patient volume and patient outcomes. Studies indicate that a higher institutional ICU patient volume is positively correlated with patient survival. Although the exact mechanism underlying this association remains unclear, several studies have proposed that the cumulative experience of physicians and selective referral between institutions may play a role. The overall ICU mortality rate in Korea is relatively high compared to other developed countries. A distinctive aspect of critical care in Korea is the existence of significant disparities in the quality of care and services provided across regions and hospitals. Addressing these disparities and optimizing the management of critically ill patients necessitates thoroughly trained intensivists who are well-versed in the latest clinical practice guidelines. A fully functioning unit with adequate patient throughput is also essential for maintaining consistent and reliable quality of patient care. However, the positive impact of ICU volume on mortality outcomes is also linked to complex organizational factors, such as multidisciplinary rounds, nurse staffing and education, the presence of a clinical pharmacist, care protocols for weaning and sedation, and a culture of teamwork and communication. Despite some inconsistencies in the association between ICU patient volume and patient outcomes, which are thought to arise from differences in healthcare systems, ICU case volume significantly affects patient outcomes and should be taken into account when formulating related healthcare policies.
- Basic science and research
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Feasibility study of incident dark-field video microscope for measuring microcirculatory variables in the mouse dorsal skinfold chamber model
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Christine Kang, Ah-Reum Cho, Hyeon Jeong Lee, Hyae Jin Kim, Eun-Jung Kim, Soeun Jeo, Jeong-Min Hong, Daehoan Moon
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Acute Crit Care. 2021;36(1):29-36. Published online February 26, 2021
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/acc.2020.00969
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Abstract
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 Supplementary Material
- Background
Despite the importance of microcirculation in organ function, monitoring microcirculation is not a routine practice. With developments in microscopic technology, incident dark field (IDF) microscopy (Cytocam) has allowed visualization of the microcirculation. Dorsal skinfold chamber (DSC) mouse model has been used to investigate microcirculation physiology. By employing Cytocam-IDF imaging with DSC model to assess microcirculatory alteration in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced endotoxemia, we attempted to validate availability of Cytocam-IDF imaging of microcirculation.
Methods
DSC was implanted in eight BALB/c mice for each group; control and sepsis. Both groups were given 72 hours to recover from surgery. The sepsis group had an additional 24-hour period of recovery post-LPS injection (4 mg/kg). Subsequently, a video of the microcirculation was recorded using Cytocam. Data on microcirculatory variables were obtained. Electron microscopy was implemented using lanthanum fixation to detect endothelial glycocalyx degradation.
Results
The microcirculatory flow index was significantly lower (control, 2.8±0.3; sepsis, 2.1±0.8; P=0.033) and heterogeneity index was considerably higher (control, 0.10±0.15; sepsis, 0.53±0.48; P=0.044) in the sepsis group than in the control group. Electron microscopy revealed glycocalyx demolishment in the sepsis group.
Conclusions
Cytocam showed reliable ability for observing changes in the microcirculation under septic conditions in the DSC model. The convenience and good imaging quality and the automatic analysis software available for Cytocam-IDF imaging, along with the ability to perform real-time in vivo experiments in the DSC model, are expected to be helpful in future microcirculation investigations.
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Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by  - Sedation with propofol and isoflurane differs in terms of microcirculatory parameters: A randomized animal study using dorsal skinfold chamber mouse model
Christine Kang, Ah-Reum Cho, Haekyu Kim, Jae-Young Kwon, Hyeon Jeong Lee, Eunsoo Kim
Microvascular Research.2024; 153: 104655. CrossRef
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