Continuous Mandatory Onsite Consultant Intensivists in the ICU: Impacts on Patient Outcomes.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the impacts on patient outcomes of continuous versus on-demand access to certified consultant intensivists in the intensive care unit (ICU).

Methods: Two general adult ICUs within the same health-care organization were compared in terms of patient outcomes. One unit featured continuous mandatory presence of a consultant intensivist (unit A), whereas the other had continuous access to a consultant intensivist during daytime hours but only on-demand access during the night-time hours (unit B).

Broncho-pleuropericardial fistula complicating staphylococcal sepsis.

This is a rare case of broncho-pleuropericardial fistula in a 12-year-old female who presented with fever, painful joint swelling, and pleural and pericardial effusion secondary to disseminated methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus infection. The pleural and pericardial effusion were drained, however, air leak was observed from both tubes and was synchronous with mechanical inspiration. A broncho-pleuropericardial fistula was suspected and confirmed with computed tomography.