Predictors of delayed extubation following lung resection: Focusing on preoperative pulmonary function and incentive spirometry.

Background: Delayed extubation is one of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs). Preoperative pulmonary function test (PFT) is an important assessment for patients undergoing lung resection. Volume-oriented incentive spirometry (IS) is one of physiotherapies to prevent PPCs.

Levels of exhaled carbon monoxide measured during an intervention program predict 1-year smoking cessation: a retrospective observational cohort study.

Unlabelled: Life-long smoking cessation is a critical public health objective, but it is difficult for numerous people. This study aimed to identify the independent predictors of 1-year abstinence in smokers motivated to quit and participating in an intervention program. This 6-year retrospective observational cohort study was conducted in smokers who participated in an intervention program.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy as an adjunctive treatment for sternal infection and osteomyelitis after sternotomy and cardiothoracic surgery.

Purpose: A retrospective study to evaluate the effect of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) therapy on sternal infection and osteomyelitis following median sternotomy.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective analysis of patients who received sternotomy and cardiothoracic surgery which developed sternal infection and osteomyelitis between 2002 and 2009. Twelve patients who received debridement and antibiotic treatment were selected, and six of them received additional HBO2 therapy.

Patient safety attitudes among respiratory therapists in Taiwan.

Background: Safety attitude surveys have been widely conducted in various disciplines, but not among respiratory therapists (RTs), to assess clinician's awareness of patient safety. We conducted a nationwide survey in Taiwan to assess RTs' safety attitudes in several hospital settings.

Methods: We adapted the Safety Attitude Questionnaire for RTs, and, via the RTs' union, invited all Taiwan RTs to take the survey.

Rapid shallow breathing index and its predictive accuracy measured under five different ventilatory strategies in the same patient group.

The rapid shallow breathing index (RSBI) is commonly used clinically for predicting the outcome of weaning from mechanical ventilation. We compared the RSBI and its predictive accuracies measured under 5 ventilatory strategies before weaning trials. Ninety-eight patients were included and divided into successful (n=71) and failed (n=27) groups based on their weaning outcomes.

Using chest vibration nursing intervention to improve expectoration of airway secretions and prevent lung collapse in ventilated ICU patients: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Almost 80% of patients in the intensive care unit are intubated and on mechanical ventilation. Thus, their airway clearance ability is compromised and their risk of lung collapse increased. A variety of interventions are used to enhance airway clearance with the goal of preventing atelectasis and infection.

Population-based case-control study of risk factors for unintentional mortality from carbon monoxide poisoning in Taiwan.

We carried out a population-based case-control study to identify people in Taiwan who are at increased risk of unintentional mortality from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning (ICD-9 CM: 986 or E868). The study included all 439 deaths from unintentional CO poisoning registered in Taiwan's National Mortality Registry during 1997-2003, whereas 878 control subjects were randomly selected, with a control/case ratio of 2, from all deceased individuals from other causes during the same period. The annual mortality rate of CO poisoning significantly increased in Taiwan over the 7-yr period from 1.