Nagarajan Ramakrishnan

Cost of intensive care in India

Critical care is often described as expensive care. However, standardized methodology that would enable determination and international comparisons of cost is currently lacking. This article attempts to review this important issue and develop a framework through which cost of critical care in India could be analyzed.

Current practices of mobilization, analgesia, relaxants and sedation in Indian ICUs: A survey conducted by the Indian Society of Critical Care Medicine

Background and Aim: Use of sedation, analgesia and neuromuscular blocking agents is widely practiced in Intensive Care Units (ICUs). Our aim is to study the current practice patterns related to mobilization, analgesia, relaxants and sedation (MARS) to help in standardizing best practices in these areas in the ICU. Materials and Methods: A web-based nationwide survey involving physicians of the Indian Society of Critical Care Medicine (ISCCM) and the Indian Society of Anesthesiologists (ISA) was carried out. A questionnaire included questions on demographics, assessment scales for delirium, sedation and pain, as also the pharmacological agents and the practice methods. Results: Most ICUs function in a semi-closed model. Midazolam (94.99%) and Fentanyl (47.04%) were the most common sedative and analgesic agents used, respectively. Vecuronium was the preferred neuromuscular agent. Monitoring of sedation, analgesia and delirium in the ICU. Ramsays Sedation Scale (56.1%) and Visual Analogue Scale (48.07%) were the preferred sedation and pain scales, respectively. CAM (Confusion Assessment Method)-ICU was the most preferred method of delirium assessment. Haloperidol was the most commonly used agent for delirium. Majority of the respondents were aware of the benefit of early mobilization, but lack of support staff and safety concerns were the main obstacles to its implementation. Conclusion: The results of the survey suggest that compliance with existing guidelines is low. Benzodiazepines still remain the predominant ICU sedative. The recommended practice of giving analgesia before sedation is almost non-existent. Delirium remains an underrecognized entity. Monitoring of sedation levels, analgesia and delirium is low and validated and recommended scales for the same are rarely used. Although awareness of the benefits of early mobilization are high, the implementation is low.

Feasibility, safety, and outcome of very early enteral nutrition in critically ill patients: Results of an observational study.

BACKGROUND In critically ill patients, early enteral nutrition (EN) within 24 to 72 hours is recommended. Although vasopressor-dependent shock after resuscitation is not a contraindication for EN initiation, feasibility and safety of very early (within 6 hours) EN initiation soon after resuscitation are unknown. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the feasibility, safety, tolerance, and adequacy of very EN delivery in critically ill patients within 6 hours of intensive care unit (ICU) admission. MATERIAL AND METHODS Prospectively collected data from a total of 308 medical and surgical patients admitted to the ICU for at least 3 days were analyzed. The patients in whom EN was initiated within 6 hours of ICU admission (n = 166) were compared with those in whom EN was initiated after 6 hours (n = 142). Comparisons were made between groups in the percentage of target calories and proteins delivered on day 3, percentages of patients achieving target calories and proteins on day 3, incidence of feed intolerance, ICU length of stay (LOS), hospital LOS, ICU/hospital discharge, and mortality. RESULTS No significant differences were seen in percentage of calories (71.62% vs 71.83%; P = .09) and proteins (71.85% vs 68.89%; P = .2) delivered on day 3 between patients receiving EN within 6 hours and after 6 hours of admission. Similar number of patients achieved target calories (66.3% vs 67.6%; P = .8) and target proteins (66.9% vs 62.7%; P = .5) on day 3 in both groups. There were no significant differences between the groups for ICU LOS (11.41 days vs 11.72 days; P = .7) and hospital LOS (20.7 days vs 17.96 days; P = .1). A total of 77.1% patients were discharged in the group in whom EN was initiated within 6 hours and 67.6% patients were discharged in the group where EN was initiated after 6 hours (P = .07). The mortality rate was 22.9% and 32.4%, respectively (P = .07), in these groups. Overall incidence of EN interruption was 20.13% without significant difference between the 2 groups (<6 hours, 16.2%; >6 hours, 24.7%; P = .087). CONCLUSION Initiation of EN within 6 hours of ICU admission is feasible and safe and can be implemented routinely in all ICU patients.

Intensive Care in India: The Indian Intensive Care Case Mix and Practice Patterns Study

Aims: To obtain information on organizational aspects, case mix and practices in Indian Intensive Care Units (ICUs). Patients and Methods: An observational, 4-day point prevalence study was performed between 2010 and 2011 in 4209 patients from 124 ICUs. ICU and patient characteristics, and interventions were recorded for 24 h of the study day, and outcomes till 30 days after the study day. Data were analyzed for 4038 adult patients from 120 ICUs. Results: On the study day, mean age, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE II) and sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) scores were 54.1 ± 17.1 years, 17.4 ± 9.2 and 3.8 ± 3.6, respectively. About 46.4% patients had ≥1 organ failure. Nearly, 37% and 22.2% patients received mechanical ventilation (MV) and vasopressors or inotropes, respectively. Nearly, 12.2% patients developed an infection in the ICU. About 28.3% patients had severe sepsis or septic shock (SvSpSS) during their ICU stay. About 60.7% patients without infection received antibiotics. There were 546 deaths and 183 terminal discharges (TDs) from ICU (including left against medical advice or discharged on request), with ICU mortality 729/4038 (18.1%). In 1627 patients admitted within 24 h of the study day, the standardized mortality ratio was 0.67. The APACHE II and SOFA scores, public hospital ICUs, medical ICUs, inadequately equipped ICUs, medical admission, self-paying patient, presence of SvSpSS, acute respiratory failure or cancer, need for a fluid bolus, and MV were independent predictors of mortality. Conclusions: The high proportion of TDs and the association of public hospitals, self-paying patients, and inadequately equipped hospitals with mortality has important implications for critical care in India.

Outcomes Related to Telemedicine in the Intensive Care Unit: What We Know and Would Like to Know

Telemedicine has been increasingly used in the intensive care unit setting (Tele-ICU) for providing care. Given the shortage of qualified intensivists and critical care nurses in the United States and the ever-increasing demand for intensive care services, Tele-ICU has been proposed as a strategy to bridge this supply/demand gap. The Tele-ICU staffing model provides for many important outcome benefits that have been evaluated over the years by several studies. In this review, the authors summarize the existing evidence and identify areas where further evaluation is warranted.

Epidemiology, outcomes and validation of RIFLE and AKIN criteria in acute kidney injury (AKI) in critically ill patients: Indian perspective

Abstract Although the epidemiology and the impact of Acute Kidney Injury on outcomes are well-known in the Western literature, good data is lacking from India. Most studies published from India have not evaluated epidemiology of Acute Kidney Injury in the Intensive Care Unit setting and/or have not used validated criteria. In our observational study of 250 patients, admitted to a tertiary level ICU, we have explored the epidemiology of Acute Kidney Injury using both RIFLE and AKIN criteria and have validated them. We have also demonstrated that the severity of AKI is an independent predictor of mortality in critically ill patients. Our results are very much comparable to other studies and we feel that this study will remain as an epidemiological reference point for Indian clinicians dealing with AKI.

Critical care 24 × 7: But, why is critical nutrition interrupted?

Background and Aims: Adequate nutritional support is crucial in prevention and treatment of malnutrition in critically ill-patients. Despite the intention to provide appropriate enteral nutrition (EN), meeting the full nutritional requirements can be a challenge due to interruptions. This study was undertaken to determine the cause and duration of interruptions in EN. Materials and Methods: Patients admitted to a multidisciplinary critical care unit (CCU) of a tertiary care hospital from September 2010 to January 2011 and who received EN for a period >24 h were included in this observational, prospective study. A total of 327 patients were included, for a total of 857 patient-days. Reasons and duration of EN interruptions were recorded and categorized under four groups-procedures inside CCU, procedures outside CCU, gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms and others. Results: Procedure inside CCU accounted for 55.9% of the interruptions while GI symptoms for 24.2%. Although it is commonly perceived that procedures outside CCU are the most common reason for interruption, this contributed only to 18.4% individually; ventilation-related procedures were the most frequent cause (40.25%), followed by nasogastric tube aspirations (15.28%). Although GI bleed is often considered a reason to hold enteral feed, it was one of the least common reasons (1%) in our study. Interruption of 2-6 h was more frequent (43%) and most of this (67.1%) was related to “procedures inside CCU”. Conclusion: Awareness of reasons for EN interruptions will aid to modify protocol and minimize interruptions during procedures in CCU to reach nutrition goals.

EPIDEMIOLOGY OF INTENSIVE CARE UNIT INFECTIONS AND IMPACT OF INFECTIOUS DISEASE CONSULTANTS IN MANAGING RESISTANT INFECTIONS

Choice of empiric antibiotics in India have generally been guided by western data and guidelines. However, validity and applicability of western guidelines in the Indian setting is not known. The aim of our study was to explore microbial prevalence and resistance patterns in a tertiary care Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in India and to determine whether western guidelines are still valid for use in the Indian setting. We also wanted to evaluate the impact of infectious disease specialist consultation on the appropriateness of initial antibiotic choice and de-escalation practices. Prospective observational study from January 2009 to July 2009, in a setting of 600 bed multispecialty tertiary care hospital. Relevant samples from patients suspected to have infection were cultured and sensitivity testing was performed according to standard procedures. Only the first positive cultures from each patient were used for analysis of the 401 patients admitted to ICU during the study period 25% had positive cultures. 60% of the cultures grew Gram negative organisms with E. coli, Pseudomonas and Acinetobacter species being the commonest isolated pathogens. Mortality among culture positive patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) was 31%. Culture and sensitivity patterns of organisms in Indian ICUs differ from that in the west. Gram negative organisms are most commonly cultured. Initial antibiotic choice when made using western guidelines seem to be appropriate only in (48.4%) of patients. When choosing empiric antibiotics in acutely ill Indian ICU patients, modifications to western guidelines need to be done using local microbial prevalence and resistance patterns.

Parenteral nutrition support: Beyond gut feeling? Quality control study of parenteral nutrition practices in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Background: Enteral nutrition (EN) is preferred over parenteral nutrition (PN) in hospitalized patients based on International consensus guidelines. Practice patterns of PN in developing countries have not been documented. Objectives: To assess practice pattern and quality of PN support in a tertiary hospital setting in Chennai, India. Methods: Retrospective record review of patients admitted between February 2010 and February 2012. Results: About 351,008 patients were admitted to the hospital in the study period of whom 29,484 (8.4%) required nutritional support. About 70 patients (0.24%) received PN, of whom 54 (0.18%) received PN for at least three days. Common indications for PN were major gastrointestinal surgery (55.6%), intolerance to EN (25.9%), pancreatitis (5.6%), and gastrointestinal obstruction (3.7%). Conclusions: The proportion of patients receiving PN was very low. Quality issues were identified relating to appropriateness of indication and calories and proteins delivered. This study helps to introspect and improve the quality of nutrition support.

Impact of dialysis practice patterns on outcomes in acute kidney injury in Intensive Care Unit.

Aim: Recent advances in dialysis therapy have made an impact on the clinical practice of renal replacement therapy (RRT) in acute kidney injury (AKI) in Intensive Care Unit (ICU). We studied the impact of RRT practice changes on outcomes in AKI in ICU over a period of 8 years. Subjects and Methods: AKI patients requiring RRT in ICU referred to a nephrologist during two different periods (period-1: Between May 2004 and May 2007, n = 69; period-2: Between August 2008 and May 2011, n = 93) were studied. The major changes in the dialysis practice during the period-2, compared to period-1 were introduction of prolonged intermittent RRT (PIRRT), early dialysis for metabolic acidosis, early initiation of RRT for anuria and positive fluid balance and use of bicarbonate-based fluids for continuous RRT (CRRT) instead of lactate buffer. The primary study outcome was 28-day hospital mortality. Results: The mean age was 53.8 ± 16.1 years and 72.6% were male. Introduction of PIRRT resulted in 37% reduction in utilization of CRRT during period-2 (from 85.5% to 53.7%). The overall mortality was high (68%) but was significantly reduced during period-2 compared to period-1 (59% vs. 79.7%, P = 0.006). Metabolic acidosis but not the mode of RRT, was the significant factor which influenced mortality. Conclusions: Adaption of PIRRT resulted in 37% reduction of utilization of CRRT. The mortality rate was significantly reduced during the period of adaption of PIRRT, possibly due to early initiation of RRT in the latter period for indications such as anuria and metabolic acidosis.