Management of the changeover of inotrope infusions in children.

Unlabelled: Inotropes are drugs that can assist the critically ill patient's heart to function more effectively by increasing contractility. Inotrope infusions are run continuously and fresh infusions are required on a regular basis. The two methods of changeover commonly used are the quick-change and the double-pump methods.

Quality of life of survivors of pediatric intensive care.

Objective: Measuring outcome in pediatric intensive care is necessary to equate the high cost of treatment with benefits to the patient. Although mortality rates and morbidity are relatively insensitive measures of the benefits of treatment, quality of life measurement gives insight into the long-term outcomes. The aim of this study was to investigate the long-term quality of life outcome of children admitted to a pediatric intensive care unit.