The Role of Biomarkers in Diagnosis of Sepsis and Acute Kidney Injury.

Sepsis and acute kidney injury (AKI) are two major public health concerns that contribute significantly to illness and death worldwide. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment are essential for achieving the best possible outcomes. To date, there are no specific clinical, imaging, or biochemical indicators available to diagnose sepsis, and diagnosis of AKI based on the KDIGO criterion has limitations. To improve the diagnostic process for sepsis and AKI, it is essential to continually evolve our understanding of these conditions. Delays in diagnosis and appropriate treatment can have serious consequences. Sepsis and AKI often occur together, and patients with kidney dysfunction are more prone to developing sepsis. Therefore, identifying potential biomarkers for both conditions is crucial. In this review, we talk about the main biomarkers that evolve the diagnostic of sepsis and AKI, namely neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), proenkephalin (PENK), and cell-free DNA.

Good practices for preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia in the emergency department.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the conformity of the set of good practices for preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in the emergency department of a university hospital. METHOD: A cross-sectional analytical study with a quantitative approach, conducted in a university hospital in the city of São Paulo. The study sample consisted of opportunities for care observations that comprise the set of good practices for preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia provided to intubated patients hospitalized in the emergency department. RESULTS: A total of 209 observations were performed in 42 patients. Of the hospitalized patients, 23.8% developed VAP, and 52.4% died. Of the five recommended measures for preventing VAP, only two presented compliance above 50%. CONCLUSION: The care provided to patients is not in line with what is recommended in the literature, which demonstrates the need for periodic renewal of the team's educational practices and the development of auditing projects to ensure improvements in the care process.

Good practices for preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia in the emergency department / Buenas prácticas para prevención de neumonía asociada con la ventilación mecánica en el servicio de urgencias / Boas práticas para prevenção de pneumonia associada à ventilação mecânica no serviço de emergência

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the conformity of the set of good practices for preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in the emergency department of a university hospital. Method: A cross-sectional analytical study with a quantitative approach, conducted in a university hospital in the city of São Paulo. The study sample consisted of opportunities for care observations that comprise the set of good practices for preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia provided to intubated patients hospitalized in the emergency department. Results: A total of 209 observations were performed in 42 patients. Of the hospitalized patients, 23.8% developed VAP, and 52.4% died. Of the five recommended measures for preventing VAP, only two presented compliance above 50%. Conclusion: The care provided to patients is not in line with what is recommended in the literature, which demonstrates the need for periodic renewal of the team's educational practices and the development of auditing projects to ensure improvements in the care process.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Evaluar la conformidad del conjunto de buenas prácticas para prevención de neumonía asociada con la ventilación mecánica en el servicio de urgencias y emergencia de un hospital universitario. Método: Estudio transversal, analítico y de abordaje cuantitativo, realizado en un hospital universitario de São Paulo. La muestra del estudio estuvo compuesta de oportunidades de observaciones de los cuidados que componen el conjunto de buenas prácticas para la prevención de la neumonía asociada con la ventilación mecánica, prestados a los pacientes intubados hospitalizados en el servicio de Urgencias y Emergencia. Resultados: Se llevaron a cabo 209 observaciones en 42 pacientes. De los pacientes hospitalizados, el 23,8% desarrollaron neumonía asociada con la ventilación mecánica, y el 52,4% fallecieron. De las cinco medidas preconizadas para la prevención de neumonía asociada con la ventilación mecánica, solo dos presentaron conformidad por encima del 50%. Conclusión: Los cuidados prestados a los pacientes no están en conformidad con lo recomendado en la literatura, lo que demuestra la necesidad de renovación periódica de las prácticas educativas del equipo y el desarrollo de proyectos de auditoría para asegurar mejorías en el proceso asistencial.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar a conformidade do conjunto de boas práticas para prevenção da pneumonia associada à ventilação mecânica no serviço de urgência e emergência de um hospital universitário. Método: Estudo transversal, analítico e de abordagem quantitativa, realizado em um hospital universitário na cidade de São Paulo. A amostra do estudo foi composta de oportunidades de observações dos cuidados que compõem o conjunto de boas práticas para prevenção da pneumonia associada à ventilação mecânica, prestados aos pacientes intubados internados no serviço de Urgência e Emergência. Resultados: Foram realizadas 209 observações em 42 pacientes. Dos pacientes internados, 23,8% desenvolveram pneumonia associada à ventilação mecânica, e 52,4% foram a óbito. Das cinco medidas preconizadas para a prevenção de pneumonia associada à ventilação mecânica, apenas duas apresentaram conformidade acima de 50%. Conclusão: Os cuidados prestados aos pacientes não estão em conformidade com o recomendado na literatura, o que demonstra a necessidade de renovação periódica das práticas educativas da equipe e o desenvolvimento de projetos de auditoria para assegurar melhorias no processo assistencial.