Wide Variation in Unplanned Extubation Rates Related to Differences in Operational Definitions.

Objectives: Unplanned extubation (UE) rate is a patient safety metric for which there are varied and inconsistently interpreted definitions. We aimed to test the sensitivity of UE rates to the application of different operational definitions.

Methods: We analyzed neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) quality improvement data on UE events defined inclusively as "any extubation that was not performed electively, or not previously intended for that time.

Examination of the external ear.

Normal ears come in a wide variety of sizes and shapes, likely because of the impact of racial and familial characteristics (phenotypes), the complexity of the embryologic development (malformations), and the potential for intrauterine factors such as oligohydramnios or intrauterine compression to produce distinct physical characteristics in normally formed tissues (deformations). This article will provide an overview of the embryologic origins of the external ear. Relevant terminology used to describe the ear will be reviewed, along with objective guidelines for the assessment of ear size, shape, and position.