Relationship between volume and survival in closed intensive care units is weak and apparent only in mechanically ventilated patients.

Background: Recent studies have found an association between increased volume and increased intensive care unit (ICU) survival; however, this association might not hold true in ICUs with permanent intensivist coverage. Our objective was to determine whether ICU volume correlates with survival in the Spanish healthcare system.

Methods: Post hoc analysis of a prospective study of all patients admitted to 29 ICUs during 3 months.

Intensive care unit discharge to the ward with a tracheostomy cannula as a risk factor for mortality: a prospective, multicenter propensity analysis.

Objective: To analyze the impact of decannulation before intensive care unit discharge on ward survival in nonexperimental conditions.

Design: Prospective, observational survey.

Setting: Thirty-one intensive care units throughout Spain.

Intensive care adult patients with severe respiratory failure caused by Influenza A (H1N1)v in Spain.

Introduction: Patients with influenza A (H1N1)v infection have developed rapidly progressive lower respiratory tract disease resulting in respiratory failure. We describe the clinical and epidemiologic characteristics of the first 32 persons reported to be admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) due to influenza A (H1N1)v infection in Spain.

Methods: We used medical chart reviews to collect data on ICU adult patients reported in a standardized form.