Evaluating Approaches for the Diagnosis of Hemodialysis Catheter-Related Bloodstream Infections.

Background And Objectives: Guideline-recommended diagnostic criteria for hemodialysis (HD) catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) are based on data from indwelling central catheters in patients not on HD and non-HD situations, and upon which peripheral vein cultures are the gold standard. We aimed to examine the validity of these criteria in patients on HD.

Design, Settings, Participants, & Measurements: Adult patients on in-center HD using catheters were prospectively followed from 2011 to 2014 at a large academic-based HD facility (Toronto, Canada).

Why substitute decision makers provide or decline consent for ICU research studies: a questionnaire study.

Purpose: Consent for research participation in the intensive care unit (ICU) is often obtained from a substitute decision maker (SDM). In this study we explored SDMs' reasons for declining or providing consent for research studies for critically ill adult family members.

Methods: Two questionnaires were developed, one directed at SDMs who agreed to have their relative participate in a research study (AGREE group), and another for SDMs who declined participation (DECLINE group).

Oral tolvaptan is safe and effective in chronic hyponatremia.

Vasopressin antagonists increase the serum sodium concentration in patients who have euvolemia and hypervolemia with hyponatremia in the short term ( View Article and Find Full Text PDF