Capnodynamic monitoring of lung volume and blood flow in response to increased positive end-expiratory pressure in moderate to severe COVID-19 pneumonia: an observational study.

Background: The optimal level of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) during mechanical ventilation for COVID-19 pneumonia remains debated and should ideally be guided by responses in both lung volume and perfusion. Capnodynamic monitoring allows both end-expiratory lung volume ([Formula: see text]) and effective pulmonary blood flow (EPBF) to be determined at the bedside with ongoing ventilation.

Methods: Patients with COVID-19-related moderate to severe respiratory failure underwent capnodynamic monitoring of [Formula: see text] and EPBF during a step increase in PEEP by 50% above the baseline (PEEP to PEEP).

A critical care pandemic staffing framework in Australia.

Background: Pandemics and the large-scale outbreak of infectious disease can significantly impact morbidity and mortality worldwide. The impact on intensive care resources can be significant and often require modification of service delivery, a key element which includes rapid expansion of the critical care workforce. Pandemics are also unpredictable, which necessitates rapid decision-making and action which, in the lack of experience and guidance, may be extremely challenging.

Post-operative renal failure management in mechanical circulatory support patients.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) occurs commonly in patients requiring mechanical circulatory support (MCS) after cardiothoracic surgery. The prognostic implications of AKI in this patient group relate closely to the pathophysiology and risk factors associated with the underlying disease; pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative variables; hemodynamic factors; and type of support device used. General approaches to AKI management, including prevention strategies, medical management, and hemodynamic support, are also applicable in patients requiring MCS.

ANZICS guiding principles for complex decision making during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The global 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has led to major challenges in clinical decision making when the demand for intensive care exceeds local capacity. In order to promote consistent, transparent, objective and ethical decision making, the Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Society (ANZICS) formed a committee to urgently develop guidelines outlining key principles that should be utilised during the pandemic. This guidance is intended to support the practice of intensive care specialists during the COVID-19 pandemic and to promote the development of local admission policies that should be endorsed by health care organisations and relevant local authorities.

Development and Review of the Chest Tube High-Feedback Educational Simulation Trainer (CHEST).

Introduction: Emergency medicine physicians must receive training in chest tube placement. This life-saving skill must be completed quickly and competently to prevent morbidity and mortality. Training on live patients is no longer an appropriate or acceptable practice.

Mass casualty incidents and B-Con training.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine if providing mass casualty training, utilizing the Bleeding Control for the Injured (B-Con) course would allow participants to feel more confident to provide bystander aid to wounded victims in a mass casualty incident (MCI).

Design: Quasi-experimental pre-post intervention study.

Setting: Participants were healthcare providers attending a trauma research conference hosted by a medical university.

Nosocomial infections acquired by patients treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Background: Infectious complications in patients treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) are a frequent contributor to morbidity and mortality in this group. Defining the characteristics of ECMO-related infections may inform treatment decisions, including antimicrobial therapy.

Methods: A retrospective observational study in an Australian intensive care unit, including adult patients treated with ECMO for at least 48 hours, over a 3-year period.

Current trends in the surgical treatment of pediatric ovarian torsion: we can do better.

Introduction: Current literature strongly recommends ovarian preservation for pediatric patients with ovarian torsion. The purpose of this study was to evaluate national trends in the surgical management of pediatric ovarian torsion and to compare outcomes between pediatric surgeons (PED) and gynecologists (GYN).

Methods: We queried Pediatric Health Information System (PHIS) data from 2007 to 2011 for patients <18years old with a diagnosis of ovarian torsion who underwent a surgical procedure.