Digital palpation of the pilot balloon vs. continuous manometry for controlling the intracuff pressure in laryngeal mask airways.

This study compared two methods of controlling the intracuff pressure in laryngeal mask airways. One hundred and eighty patients were randomly assigned into two groups. In the first group (n = 90), after training, the intracuff pressure was controlled using digital palpation of the pilot balloon.

[Impact of characteristics related to patients and interventions on revenues and costs of hospitals].

Since introduction of the German refined DRG system, the, in relation to other countries, relatively long hospital stay has been reduced significantly. The analyses presented here examine the hypothesis that only few impact factors allow for good hospital management and that length of stay is a performance indicator. The analyses were based on remuneration data of 20 German hospitals for 2007-2009, comprising details of 963 923 patient cases, and cost data for 2007-2010.

[Dealing with bottlenecks in health care: the hospital management perspective].

After the introduction of diagnosis related groups (DRGs) in Germany for the remuneration of hospitals economic aspects have become increasingly daunting. While hospitals were used to being paid on a daily basis they are now provided with a fixed sum for a given diagnosis. This means that hospitals are under pressure to review their processes and to treat more patients during shorter hospital stays.

Efficacy and Safety of the Platelet-Activating Factor Receptor Antagonist BN 52021 (Ginkgolide B) in Patients with Severe Sepsis : A Randomised, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Multicentre Trial.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the natural platelet-activating factor receptor antagonist, BN 52021 (ginkgolide B) in the treatment of patients with severe sepsis related to Gram-negative and mixed bacterial infection.

Design And Setting: Prospective, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre study carried out in 13 academic medical intensive care centres in Germany with up to 14 patients per centre.

Patients: 88 patients with severe sepsis under standard medical and surgical care: nine patients with pure Gram-positive infection, 79 patients with Gram-negative or mixed bacterial infections (subgroup for which efficacy was to be established).

Iloprost for additional anticoagulation in continuous renal replacement therapy--a pilot study.

Purpose: The aim of this pilot study was to compare the effect of heparin anticoagulation with and without iloprost administration during continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) in critically ill patients.

Material And Methods: In a prospective, randomized, controlled pilot study at an intensive care unit at a university hospital, 20 patients requiring CRRT were investigated. Patients were allocated into two groups: group 1, the heparin group; and group 2, the heparin plus 1 ng/kg/min iloprost.