Plasma sodium during the recovery of renal function in critically ill adult patients: Multicenter prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Sodium increases during acute kidney injury (AKI) recovery. Both hypernatremia and positive fluid balances are associated with increased mortality. We aimed to evaluate the association between daily fluid balance and daily plasma sodium during the recovery from AKI among critical patients. METHODS: Adult patients with AKI were enrolled in four ICUs and followed up for four days or until ICU discharge or hemodialysis initiation. Day zero was the peak day of creatinine. The primary outcome was daily plasma sodium; the main exposure was daily fluid balance. RESULTS: 93 patients were included. The median age was 66 years; 68% were male. Plasma sodium increased in 79 patients (85%), and 52% presented hypernatremia. We found no effect of daily fluid balance on plasma sodium (ß -0.26, IC95%: -0.63-0.13; p = 0.19). A higher total sodium variation was observed in patients with lower initial plasma sodium (ß -0.40, IC95%: -0.53 to -0.27; p < 0.01), higher initial urea (ß 0.07, IC95%: 0.04-0.01; p < 0.01), and higher net sodium balance (ß 0.002, IC95%: 0.0001-0.01; p = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The increase in plasma sodium is common during AKI recovery and can only partially be attributed to the water and electrolyte balances. The incidence of hypernatremia in this population of patients is higher than in the general critically ill patient population.

Impact of an educational intervention on standard precautions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of an educational intervention on the knowledge of nursing professionals regarding standard precautions. METHODS: This is an almost experimental study conducted with 100 nursing professionals. Data collection was performed using a sociodemographic characterization instrument and the Standard Precautions Knowledge Questionnaire. The educational intervention was based on five moments, where the approach to questions with less than 70% accuracy was intensified. RESULTS: There was a significant difference between the scores of healthcare professionals before (16.20 ± 1.51) and after (16.90 ± 1.31) the educational intervention (W=3.336; p < 0.05). Regarding knowledge about hand hygiene after glove use, an increase in knowledge from 83% to 93% was obtained. CONCLUSIONS: A positive effect on the professionals' knowledge was recorded, demonstrating advances regarding the strengthening of already acquired knowledge and the understanding of new knowledge.

Monitoring of surface cleaning and disinfection in a Brazilian pediatric unit.

Background: Understanding the correlation between the methods of monitoring surface cleaning and disinfection (SCD) is fundamental for better infection control. Purpose: This study aims to correlate the SCD monitoring methods in a Brazilian pediatric unit. This is an exploratory, longitudinal, and correlational study. Methods: The study was conducted in a pediatric hospitalization unit of a medium-sized hospital from December 2020 to March 2021. Four high-contact surfaces were analyzed before and after the cleaning and disinfection process by means of visual inspection, quantification of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and colony-forming unit (CFU) count. The study consisted of three stages: stage I involving situational diagnosis of the SCD process; stage II referring to the implementation of the Surface Cleaning and Disinfection Standardization Program (SCDSP); and stage III involving long-term assessment after implementing the program. A total of 192 assessments were performed in each stage, totaling 576 in the three study stages. Conclusions: A significant correlation was found between the ATP quantification methods and microbial count in the bed railing (p = 0.009) and companion's armchair (p = 0.018) surfaces. In both cases, Spearman's correlation coefficients were positive, indicating a positive correlation between ATP and microbial count scores, that is, the higher the ATP values (in RLUs), the greater the microbial counts (in CFUs/cm2). The analysis of the ROC curves suggests that the surfaces presenting ATP below 108 RLUs can be considered approved. The ATP method yielded 78.6% sensitivity; in turn, microbial count presented a sensitivity of 85.7%. It is important to use different methods to monitor the cleaning and disinfection of surfaces, as each one has different sensitivity and specificity.

Prognostic Factors Associated With Extubation Failure in Acutely Brain-Injured Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Extubation failure in brain-injured patients is associated with increased morbidity. Our objective was to systematically review prognostic factors associated with extubation failure in acutely brain-injured adult patients receiving invasive ventilation in an ICU. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Central were searched from inception to January 31, 2022. STUDY SELECTION: Two reviewers independently screened citations and selected English-language cohort studies and randomized trials examining the association of prognostic factors with extubation failure. Studies were considered if they included greater than or equal to 80% adult patients with acute brain injury admitted to the ICU and mechanically ventilated for greater than or equal to 24 hours. DATA EXTRACTION: Two reviewers extracted data on population, prognostic factors, extubation outcomes, and risk of bias (using the quality in prognostic factors tool). DATA SYNTHESIS: In the primary analysis, adjusted odds ratios (aOR) for each prognostic factor were pooled using random-effects models. Certainty of evidence was assessed using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation. The search identified 7,626 citations, of which 21 studies met selection criteria. Moderate-certainty evidence suggested increased risk of extubation failure with older age (aOR, 3.0 for upper vs lower tertile; 95% CI, 1.78-5.07) and longer duration of mechanical ventilation (aOR, 3.47 for upper vs lower tertile; 95% CI, 1.68-7.19). Presence of cough (aOR, 0.40; 95% CI, 0.28-0.57) and intact swallow (aOR, 0.34; 95% CI, 0.21-0.54) probably decreased risk of extubation failure (moderate certainty). Associations of other factors with extubation failure were informed by low or very low certainty evidence. CONCLUSIONS: Patient age, duration of mechanical ventilation, and airway reflexes were associated with extubation failure in brain-injured patients with moderate certainty. Future studies are needed to determine the optimal application of these variables in clinical practice.

Impact of an educational intervention on standard precautions during the COVID-19 pandemic / Impacto de una intervención educativa sobre las precauciones estándar durante la pandemia de COVID-19 / Intervenção educativa para maior conhecimento às precauções padrão na pandemia de COVID-19: estudo quase-experimental

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the impact of an educational intervention on the knowledge of nursing professionals regarding standard precautions. Methods: This is an almost experimental study conducted with 100 nursing professionals. Data collection was performed using a sociodemographic characterization instrument and the Standard Precautions Knowledge Questionnaire. The educational intervention was based on five moments, where the approach to questions with less than 70% accuracy was intensified. Results: There was a significant difference between the scores of healthcare professionals before (16.20 ± 1.51) and after (16.90 ± 1.31) the educational intervention (W=3.336; p < 0.05). Regarding knowledge about hand hygiene after glove use, an increase in knowledge from 83% to 93% was obtained. Conclusions: A positive effect on the professionals' knowledge was recorded, demonstrating advances regarding the strengthening of already acquired knowledge and the understanding of new knowledge.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Evaluar el impacto de una intervención educativa en el conocimiento de los profesionales de enfermería sobre las precauciones estándar. Métodos: Este es un estudio cuasiexperimental realizado con 100 profesionales de enfermería. Para la recopilación de datos, se utilizaron un instrumento de caracterización sociodemográfica y el cuestionario de Conocimiento de las Precauciones Estándar. La intervención educativa se basó en cinco momentos, en los cuales se intensificó el abordaje de cuestiones con menos del 70% de aciertos. Resultados: Hubo una diferencia significativa entre las puntuaciones de los profesionales de salud antes (16,20 ± 1,51) y después (16,90 ± 1,31) de la intervención educativa (W = 3,336; p <0,05). En relación con el conocimiento sobre la higiene de las manos después del uso de guantes, se obtuvo un aumento en el conocimiento del 83% al 93%. Conclusiones: Se registró un efecto positivo en el conocimiento de los profesionales, demostrando avances en cuanto al fortalecimiento de los conocimientos ya adquiridos y la comprensión de nuevos saberes.

RESUMO Objetivo: avaliar o impacto de uma intervenção educativa no conhecimento dos profissionais de enfermagem em relação às precauções padrão. Métodos: trata-se de um estudo quase-experimental, realizada com 100 profissionais de enfermagem. Para a coleta de dados, foram utilizados o instrumento de caracterização sociodemográfica e o questionário de Conhecimento das Precauções-Padrão. A intervenção educativa foi baseada em 05 momentos, onde se intensificou a abordagem em questões com menos de 70% de acerto. Resultados: Houve diferença significativa entre os escores dos profissionais de saúde antes (16,20 ± 1,51) e após (16,90 ± 1,31) a intervenção educativa (W=3,336; p < 0,05). Em relação ao conhecimento sobre a higiene das mãos após uso de luvas, obteve-se um aumento no conhecimento de 83% para 93%. Conclusões: registrou-se efeito positivo no conhecimento dos profissionais, demonstrando avanços no que diz respeito ao fortalecimento dos conhecimentos já adquiridos e à compreensão de novos saberes.