[Frequency and barriers to the patient advanced directive and lasting power of attorney: findings from a prospective observation study in palliative care services].

Background: The advance directive and lasting power of attorney are instruments to strengthen patients' autonomy. A hospital-based palliative care consultation service can advise patients and family members about these instruments. This study investigates the need for such consultation among patients with life-limiting illness.

Presentation of ethical criteria during medical decision-making for critically ill patients: a mixed methods study.

Background: Every medical decision is based on balancing medical knowledge, ethical considerations, and patient preferences. Previous surveys have mainly covered the ethical knowledge of medical staff. The aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of an innovative concept regarding how ethical criteria are applied to clinical decision-making during critical illness.

Hospitalization and Intensive Therapy at the End of Life.

Background: Germany has more intensive care unit (ICU) beds per capita than the USA, but the utilization of these resources at the end of life is unknown.

Methods: Retrospective observational study using nationwide German hospital discharge data (DRG statistics; DRG, diag- nosis-related groups) from 2007 to 2015. We investigated hospital deaths and use of intensive care services during terminal hospitalizations.

Evidence and consensus-based German guidelines for the management of analgesia, sedation and delirium in intensive care--short version.

Targeted monitoring of analgesia, sedation and delirium, as well as their appropriate management in critically ill patients is a standard of care in intensive care medicine. With the undisputed advantages of goal-oriented therapy established, there was a need to develop our own guidelines on analgesia and sedation in intensive care in Germany and these were published as 2(nd) Generation Guidelines in 2005. Through the dissemination of these guidelines in 2006, use of monitoring was shown to have improved from 8 to 51% and the use of protocol-based approaches increased to 46% (from 21%).

SiPaGene: A new repository for instant online retrieval, sharing and meta-analyses of GeneChip expression data.

Background: Microarray expression profiling is becoming a routine technology for medical research and generates enormous amounts of data. However, reanalysis of public data and comparison with own results is laborious. Although many different tools exist, there is a need for more convenience and online analysis with restriction of access and user specific sharing options.

[Intensive insulin therapy].

Acute stress-related hyperglycemia is a condition, commonly observed in patients following major surgical procedures, trauma as well as life-threatening illness. This may result in organic dysfunction in the critically ill. Intensive Insulin Therapy (IIT) describes intravenous application of insulin to sustain a defined level of blood glucose to reduce negative effects of hyperglycemia.

[Pharmacotherapy--physostigmine administered post-operatively].

The central anticholinergic syndrome should be considered in patients with altered mental status following anaesthesia. Physostigmine, a reversible acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, is a first-line medicament for the therapy of the central anticholinergic syndrome. Physostigmine crosses the blood-brain barrier and elevates acetylcholine levels in the brain.