Radha Korupolu

Rehabilitation therapy and outcomes in acute respiratory failure: an observational pilot project.

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to describe the frequency, physiologic effects, safety, and patient outcomes associated with traditional rehabilitation therapy in patients who require mechanical ventilation. MATERIALS AND METHODS Prospective observational report of consecutive patients ventilated 4 or more days and eligible for rehabilitation in a single medical intensive care unit (ICU) during a 13-week period was conducted. RESULTS Of the 32 patients who met the inclusion criteria, only 21 (66%) received physician orders for evaluation by rehabilitation services (physical and/or occupational therapy). Fifty rehabilitation treatments were provided to 19 patients on a median of 12% of medical ICU days per patient, with deep sedation and unavailability of rehabilitation staff representing major barriers to treatment. Physiologic changes during rehabilitation therapy were minimal. Joint contractures were frequent in the lower extremities and did not improve during hospitalization. In 53% and 79% of initial ICU assessments, muscle weakness was present in upper and lower extremities, respectively, with a decreased prevalence of 19% and 43% at hospital discharge, respectively. New impairments in physical function were common at hospital discharge. CONCLUSIONS This pilot project illustrated important barriers to providing rehabilitation to mechanically ventilated patients in an ICU and impairments in strength, range of motion, and functional outcomes at hospital discharge.

ICU early physical rehabilitation programs: financial modeling of cost savings.

Objective:To evaluate the potential annual net cost savings of implementing an ICU early rehabilitation program. Design:Using data from existing publications and actual experience with an early rehabilitation program in the Johns Hopkins Hospital Medical ICU, we developed a model of net financial savings/costs and presented results for ICUs with 200, 600, 900, and 2,000 annual admissions, accounting for both conservative- and best-case scenarios. Our example scenario provided a projected financial analysis of the Johns Hopkins Medical ICU early rehabilitation program, with 900 admissions per year, using actual reductions in length of stay achieved by this program. Setting:U.S.-based adult ICUs. Interventions:Financial modeling of the introduction of an ICU early rehabilitation program. Measurements and Main Results:Net cost savings generated in our example scenario, with 900 annual admissions and actual length of stay reductions of 22% and 19% for the ICU and floor, respectively, were

Rehabilitation quality improvement in an intensive care unit setting: implementation of a quality improvement model.

817,836. Sensitivity analyses, which used conservative- and best-case scenarios for length of stay reductions and varied the per-day ICU and floor costs, across ICUs with 200–2,000 annual admissions, yielded financial projections ranging from –

Improving data quality control in quality improvement projects

87,611 (net cost) to

Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation for Intensive Care Unit–Acquired Weakness: Protocol and Methodological Implications for a Randomized, Sham-Controlled, Phase II Trial

3,763,149 (net savings). Of the 24 scenarios included in these sensitivity analyses, 20 (83%) demonstrated net savings, with a relatively small net cost occurring in the remaining four scenarios, mostly when simultaneously combining the most conservative assumptions. Conclusions:A financial model, based on actual experience and published data, projects that investment in an ICU early rehabilitation program can generate net financial savings for U.S. hospitals. Even under the most conservative assumptions, the projected net cost of implementing such a program is modest relative to the substantial improvements in patient outcomes demonstrated by ICU early rehabilitation programs.

Early mobilisation of intensive care unit patient: the challenges of morbid obesity and multiorgan failure

Abstract Objective: There are barriers to providing early physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) in the intensive care unit (ICU). We present a specific model for undertaking quality improvement (QI) projects and a case study focused on QI for early PM&R in the ICU. Methods: The QI project was undertaken using a 4-step model: (1) summarizing the evidence, (2) identifying barriers, (3) establishing performance measures, and (4) ensuring patients receive the intervention. To evaluate the application and outcomes of this model, we present data collected during a 4-month QI period versus an immediately preceding 3-month control period. Results: Deep sedation was a major barrier to early PM&R that was addressed in the QI project. Compared to the control period, there was a decrease in medical ICU (MICU) days with any benzodiazepine use (73% vs 96% of days, P = .03) and narcotic use (77% vs 96%, P = .05) and improved delirium status (MICU days without delirium, 53% vs 21%, P = .003). In addition, more QI patients had physical therapy consultations (93% vs 59%, P = .004) and greater number of rehabilitation treatments with higher functional mobility (treatments involving sitting or greater mobility, 78% vs 56%, P = .03). Hospital data for the QI period demonstrated a decrease in average length of stay in the MICU (4.9 vs 7.0 days, P = .02) and hospital (14.1 vs 17.2, P = .03) compared to the prior year. Conclusion: A structured QI model can be applied to implementation of early PM&R in the ICU resulting in markedly improved delirium status, delivery of PM&R, functional mobility, and length of stay.

Rehabilitation outcomes after combined acute disseminated encephalomyelitis and Guillain-Barré syndrome in a child: A case report

BACKGROUND The results of many quality improvement (QI) projects are gaining wide-spread attention. Policy-makers, hospital leaders and clinicians make important decisions based on the assumption that QI project results are accurate. However, compared with clinical research, QI projects are typically conducted with substantially fewer resources, potentially impacting data quality. Our objective was to provide a primer on basic data quality control methods appropriate for QI efforts. METHODS Data quality control methods should be applied throughout all phases of a QI project. In the design phase, project aims should guide data collection decisions, emphasizing quality (rather than quantity) of data and considering resource limitations. In the data collection phase, standardized data collection forms, comprehensive staff training and a well-designed database can help maximize the quality of the data. Clearly defined data elements, quality assurance reviews of both collection and entry and system-based controls reduce the likelihood of error. In the data management phase, missing data should be quickly identified and corrected with system-based controls to minimize the missing data. Finally, in the data analysis phase, appropriate statistical methods and sensitivity analysis aid in managing and understanding the effects of missing data and outliers, in addressing potential confounders and in conveying the precision of results. CONCLUSION Data quality control is essential to ensure the integrity of results from QI projects. Feasible methods are available and important to help ensure that stakeholders decisions are based on accurate data.

Poster 448 Concurrent Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis and Guillain-Barré Syndrome in a Child: A Case Report

Background As the population ages and critical care advances, a growing number of survivors of critical illness will be at risk for intensive care unit (ICU)–acquired weakness. Bed rest, which is common in the ICU, causes adverse effects, including muscle weakness. Consequently, patients need ICU-based interventions focused on the muscular system. Although emerging evidence supports the benefits of early rehabilitation during mechanical ventilation, additional therapies may be beneficial. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), which can provide some muscular activity even very early during critical illness, is a promising modality for patients in the ICU. Objective The objectives of this article are to discuss the implications of bed rest for patients with critical illness, summarize recent studies of early rehabilitation and NMES in the ICU, and describe a protocol for a randomized, phase II pilot study of NMES in patients receiving mechanical ventilation. Design The study was a randomized, sham-controlled, concealed, phase II pilot study with caregivers and outcome assessors blinded to the treatment allocation. Setting The study setting will be a medical ICU. Participants The study participants will be patients who are receiving mechanical ventilation for 1 day or more, who are expected to stay in the ICU for an additional 2 days or more, and who meet no exclusion criteria. Intervention The intervention will be NMES (versus a sham [control] intervention) applied to the quadriceps, tibialis anterior, and gastrocnemius muscles for 60 minutes per day. Measurements Lower-extremity muscle strength at hospital discharge will be the primary outcome measure. Limitations Muscle strength is a surrogate measure, not a patient-centered outcome. The assessments will not include laboratory, genetic, or histological measures aimed at a mechanistic understanding of NMES. The optimal duration or dose of NMES is unclear. Conclusions If NMES is beneficial, the results of the study will help advance research aimed at reducing the burden of muscular weakness and physical disability in survivors of critical illness.

Early physical medicine and rehabilitation for patients with acute respiratory failure: a quality improvement project.

A 44-year-old morbidly obese (body mass index 69 kg/m2) woman presented to our medical intensive care unit (ICU) with septic shock and multiorgan failure requiring mechanical ventilation, a vasopressor infusion, and haemodialysis. Before this admission, the patient reported being able to ambulate approximately 3 m with a walker. Intensive physical therapy was started on ICU day 2, and the patient was successfully mobilised throughout her ICU stay despite the extreme challenges posed by her morbid obesity and critical illness. After only a 9 day stay, the patient was discharged directly home from the medical ICU, walking a total distance of 37 m in a single physical therapy session.

Early Mobilization in the Intensive Care Unit: Safety, Feasibility, and Benefits

A 5-year old female presented with acute tetraparesis and areflexia. Initial imaging and cerebrospinal fluid analysis were suggestive of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM). Minimal clinical response with intravenous steroids prompted further work up. Limited nerve conduction studies suggested possible acute motor-sensory axonal neuropathy, a rare variant of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). Repeat imaging was compatible with polyradiculopathy indicating concomitance of ADEM and GBS. The patient suffered severe motor deficits and neuropathic pain. Slow but significant functional recovery was noted after intensive inpatient rehabilitation followed by continued rehabilitation via home health services.