2.23.2010

The Multidisplinary Team

It has been shown several times that having an intensivist in an ICU is associated with better outcomes. However, they shouldn't get all the credit. Taking care of the critically ill is never for one person alone to do. At least one of factors for the better outcomes is due to having a multidisciplinary team making rounds, at least according to the Archives of Internal Medicine. So, next time you see a crowd of folks making rounds in the unit, just realize that they are making a difference.

Arch Intern Med. 2010;170(4):319-320.

2.17.2010

Check & Double Check

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I have to say that the video doesn't mention that small things can easily be lost in the retrocardiac region. I have heard that some centers don't even count the 7-0 prolene needles because they are so small, and easily lost. While the patient may have numbness, AFAIK there is no way that a bulldog clamp left in that area could cause hand numbness.




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2.16.2010

Laparoscopic Surgery Not Better For Surgeons

While there are many benefits for patients of minimally invasive surgery, it is not at all ergonomic for the surgeon. I know some surgeons that argue that using the Davinci robot system is the safest way to avoid it. However, not all surgery will be done that way as that is a 2 million dollar device. In the meantime, the wrist can certainly be affected by the reptitive motion of laparoscopy.

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King Tut Died of Leg Fracture, Malaria



The abstract in JAMA can be found here.




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2.15.2010

Vscan Portable Sono

The applications of ultrasound in medicine are expanding quickly. One example is in critical care monitoring where it is rapidly gaining acceptance for determination of fluid status in a patient. Now GE is releasing their Vscan sono. At a price of $7900, it should allow it to reach the bedside in more ICU's. It has such features as an hour of battery life, portability, and a USB dock to download images. Until the iPod Touch gets an ultrasound app, this may be as portable as it gets.

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