… We evaluated the presence of publication bias using Begg’s and Egger’s tests (p value <
0.05 considered significant) and by means of visual inspection of the funnel plot. …

… Of the four vital signs, respiratory rate, in particular, is often not recorded, even when the
patient’s primary problem is a respiratory condition.This is in spite of the fact that an abnormal …

Patients in ICUs often require pain relief and sedation to treat both the underlying medical
condition and the unpleasantness associated with being in an ICU. This review provides …

Background Sepsis is life-threatening organ dysfunction due to a dysregulated host response
to infection. It is considered a major cause of health loss, but data for the global burden of …

Background The safety and efficacy of hydroxyethyl starch (HES) for fluid resuscitation have
not been fully evaluated, and adverse effects of HES on survival and renal function have …

Background There have been conflicting reports on the efficacy of recombinant human
activated protein C, or drotrecogin alfa (activated) (DrotAA), for the treatment of patients with …

Importance Infection is frequent among patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). Contemporary
information about the types of infections, causative pathogens, and outcomes can aid the …

… Two days later, the World Health Assembly (WHA), the WHO’s decision-making body,
adopted a resolution on improving the prevention, diagnosis, and management of sepsis. …

Background Whether hydrocortisone reduces mortality among patients with septic shock is
unclear. Methods We randomly assigned patients with septic shock who were undergoing …

Background Low-dose dopamine is commonly administered to critically ill patients in the
belief that it reduces the risk of renal failure by increasing renal blood flow. However, these …