Patient Safety
Patient safety is defined as the “absence of adverse events” and often extended to include the activities involved in preventing adverse events, including adherence to quality standards and access to healthcare services
Category CCC
The LITFL Critical Care Compendium is a comprehensive collection of pages concisely covering the core topics and controversies of critical care.
Calcium, Digoxin Toxicity and ‘Stone Heart’ Theory
Administration of intravenous calcium has traditionally been considered a contra-indication for the treatment of hyperkalemia in the presence of digoxin toxicity. This is based on the ‘Stone Heart’ Theory: calcium may lead to an irreversible non-contractile state, due to impaired diastolic relaxation from calcium-troponin C binding
Ludwig angina
Ludwig angina: rapidly progressive gangrenous bilateral cellulitis of the submandibular space with risk of life-threatening airway compromise
CT Head Interpretation
The CT head scan is a computer-generated series of images from multiple X-rays taken at different levels. Fine X-ray beams passed through the subject are absorbed to different degrees by different tissues and the transmitted radiation is measured by a scanning device.
Blood Gas Analyser
Blood Gas Analyser: machine for point of care measurement of arterial blood gas indices and electrolytes
Glucose Control Literature Summaries
Glucose Control Literature Summaries
Rotavirus
Rotavirus is the leading cause of gastroenteritis worldwide and a leading cause of infant death in the developing world. 95% of U.S. children have had a rotavirus infection by the age of 5 years.
Oesophageal Doppler
Oesophageal Doppler Cardiac Output Monitor; non-invasive cardiac output monitor
Peritoneal Fluid Analysis
The peritoneum is a tough semi-permeable membrane lining abdominal and visceral cavities. it encloses, supports and lubricates organs within the cavity. Paracentesis is effectively the analysis of 'Ascites' - the abnormal accumulation of fluid within the abdomen.
Quantitative Data Types and Tests
Quantitative data is that which can be expressed numerically and is associated with a measurement scale; not all numbers constitute quantitative data (e.g. tax file number!)
Calcium basics
Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body. 1.5% of body weight; 99% is in bone matrix; 1100gramm (27mmol)
Factor VIIa
Tissue factor + VIIa + platelets -> platelet aggregation -> production of platelet-fibrin matrix -> haemostasis; used in massive transfusion senario’s to attempt to control intractable haemorrhage