Association of Active Renin Content With Mortality Sepsis affects 1.7 million patients annually, with a mortality rate of 10–50%. Current biomarkers like WBC count, lactate, and blood cultures have variable impacts on prognosis. Recent evidence suggests that circulating renin is proposed as a more predictive biomarker for septic shock outcomes than lactate.  The Vitamin C, Thiamine, and Steroids in Sepsis (VICTAS) trial is a randomised, double-blind, adapti...

Original Investigation  November 29, 2023 Surgeon Sex and Health Care Costs for Patients Undergoing Common Surgical Procedures Christopher J. D. Wallis, Angela Jerath, Khatereh Aminoltejari, et al JAMA Surg. Published online November 29, 2023. doi:10.1001/jamasurg.2023.6031 Key Points Question  Is there an association between surgeon sex and costs of surgical care? Findings  In this...

#LIVES2023: Effects of Online Tool on PTSD in Relatives of ICU Patients ICU hospitalisation of critically ill patients is exceptionally challenging for their family members, leading to anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, acute stress, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A significant portion of these family members, between 20% and 60%, subsequently experience adverse mental health effects. The presence of family members is crucial for patients, either ...

Editorial  December 19, 2023 Automation Bias and Assistive AI: Risk of Harm From AI-Driven Clinical Decision Support Rohan Khera, Melissa A. Simon, Joseph S. Ross JAMA. 2023;330(23):2255-2257. doi:10.1001/jama.2023.22557 At the point of care, artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms have been developed to augment diagnostic decisions and suggest appropriate care pathways,1 by leveraging complex information in a patient’s electronic health...

Original Investigation  August 23, 2023 Risk-Adjusted Cumulative Sum for Early Detection of Hospitals With Excess Perioperative Mortality Vivi W. Chen, Alexis P. Chidi, Yongquan Dong, et al JAMA Surg. 2023;158(11):1176-1183. doi:10.1001/jamasurg.2023.3673 Key Points Question  Is use of the risk-adjusted cumulative sum (CUSUM) associated with improvement in early detection of hospitals with excess perioper...

#LIVES2023: Ten Recommendations for Child-Friendly Visiting Policies The debate over whether children and adolescents should be allowed to visit their sick family members in ICUs has persisted for years. Paediatric ICUs generally permit children's visits, but there are diverse policies for adult ICUs. In most cases, children's visits have more positive than negative effects, as they desire contact with their loved ones and can handle visits well with appropriate su...

Original Investigation  December 13, 2023 Medical Students’ Perspectives on Family Planning and Impact on Specialty Choice Ebernella Shirin Dason, Madalina Maxim, Dionne Gesink, et al JAMA Surg. Published online December 13, 2023. doi:10.1001/jamasurg.2023.6392 Key Points Question  What are medical students’ perspectives about family planning within a medical career and do these perspectives affect their choice of specialty? F...

Original Investigation  December 13, 2023 Clinical Outcomes After Traumatic Brain Injury and Exposure to Extracranial Surgery: A TRACK-TBI Study Christopher J. Roberts, Jason Barber, Nancy R. Temkin, et al JAMA Surg. Published online December 13, 2023. doi:10.1001/jamasurg.2023.6374 Key Points Question  Are functional and cognitive outcomes worse after traumatic brain injury (TBI) in those exposed to extracranial surgery and anes...

Original Investigation  December 18, 2023 Association Between Daily Toothbrushing and Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Selina Ehrenzeller, Michael Klompas JAMA Intern Med. Published online December 18, 2023. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2023.6638 Key Points Question  Is daily toothbrushing among hospitalized patients associated with prevention of hospital-acquired pneumonia and improved objectiv...

ICU Management & Practice, Volume 23 - Issue 4, 2023 Using iMg Testing for Clinical Management in the ICU An overview of ionised serum magnesium as an important biomarker for critically ill patients and how iMg testing is utilised at Mater Intensive Care. Ionised Serum Magnesium - An Important Biomarker Magnesium is the fourth most common cation in the body and the second most abundant intracellular cation, exceeded only by potassium. The bulk of it i...