Publications by authors named "Andrew Weirauch"
Article Synopsis
- The study aimed to address diagnostic errors in respiratory cultures for ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) through a new diagnostic stewardship intervention (VAP-DSI) in intensive care units.
- Researchers implemented various strategies, including strict access to respiratory cultures and using specific methods for sample collection, and compared outcomes between patients after the intervention and a control group prior to it.
- Results showed that the VAP-DSI was safe and effectively reduced both the rate of positive cultures and the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, suggesting it could improve antimicrobial stewardship in ICUs.
Background: In patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome undergoing mechanical ventilation, positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) can lead to recruitment or overdistension. Current strategies utilized for PEEP titration do not permit the distinction. Electric impedance tomography (EIT) detects and quantifies the presence of both collapse and overdistension.
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- The study reviews the principles of electrical impedance tomography (EIT) and explores its usefulness in managing acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) by examining existing literature.
- EIT can improve understanding of treatment strategies for ARDS, such as monitoring patient response to various interventions like prone positioning and adjusting respiratory support settings.
- While EIT shows promise for personalized ARDS care, further clinical trials are necessary to confirm its effects on significant health outcomes in affected patients.
Article Synopsis
- - The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted a growing shortage of respiratory therapists (RTs), prompting the development of a new role, "respiratory therapist extender" (RTE), to help alleviate this issue with the help of medical students.
- - A training program was created for 25 University of Michigan medical students, which included online and in-person components focused on basic respiratory care and patient management under the supervision of a licensed RT.
- - The first group of trained RTEs was able to start providing patient care within a week, demonstrating the feasibility of quickly preparing medical students for urgent healthcare needs while also emphasizing the importance of ongoing safety monitoring.