The prevalence of obesity, defined as a Body Mass Index (BMI) C30 kg/m2, reaches epidemic proportions. It is not only a risk factor for health problems, but also exacerbates illness progression. Consequently, the number of obese patients on the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) has increased enormously. Caring …

In critically ill patients, delirium is a serious and frequent disorder that is associated with a prolonged intensive care and hospital stay and an increased morbidity and mortality. Without the use of a delirium screening instrument, delirium is often missed by ICU nurses and physicians. The effects …

PURPOSE: To evaluate the functional status of patients within the first week of discharge from an intensive care unit (ICU), and to identify predictors and explanatory factors of functional status. METHODS: A prospective, observational, cohort study was conducted with consecutive ICU patients who had …

INTRODUCTION: A stay in the intensive care unit (ICU), although potentially life-saving, may cause considerable discomfort to patients. However, retrospective assessment of discomfort is difficult because recollection of stressful events may be impaired by sedation and severe illness during the ICU stay. …

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Endotracheal suctioning in intubated patients is routinely applied in most ICUs but may have negative side effects. We hypothesised that on-demand minimally invasive suctioning would have fewer side effects than routine deep endotracheal suctioning, and would be comparable in duration …