A prospective observational quality improvement study of the sustained effects of a program to reduce unplanned extubations in a pediatric intensive care unit.

Background: The use of endotracheal intubation is routine in the care of critically ill children. Unplanned extubation exposes the patient to morbidity and mortality over and above that associated with the patient's underlying disease. All unplanned extubations are unacceptable because of their potential for causing unnecessary harm to the patient.

Prolonged QT syndrome and sedation: a case report and a review of the literature.

Prolonged QT syndrome is the most common genetic arrhythmia syndrome, and the majority of patients are undiagnosed. The syndrome is characterized by abnormally long ventricular repolarization (QT interval) on electrocardiogram, which may manifest as syncopal episodes, arrhythmias, or sudden death. Arrhythmias may be precipitated by stress or medications.

Reducing unplanned extubations in a pediatric intensive care unit: a systematic approach.

Objective. To prospectively determine the rate of unplanned extubations and contributing factors and determine whether a targeted intervention program would be successful in decreasing the rate of unplanned extubations. Design.