intensive care unit

February 23, 2023

Review explores ICU-related cognitive impact scores

A recent systematic review by Vanderbilt researchers has taken a close look at the cognitive instruments used in long-term outcome studies of survivors of adult critical illness and how those test scores are interpreted.

By Nancy Humphrey
October 11, 2022

Skin pigment affects oxygen monitor

Black patients in the ICU were more likely to have low or high blood oxygen levels than white patients, even when a pulse oximeter indicated 92-96% oxygen saturation, Vanderbilt researchers found.

By Sarah E. Glass
September 22, 2022

Reduced exercise capacity in ICU survivors

ICU survivors who have impaired exercise capacity months after discharge may have damaged muscle mitochondria — the energy powerhouses of the cell, Vanderbilt researchers propose.

By Kelsey Pinckard
The study team includes, from left, Douglas Heimburger, MD, MS, Kondwelani Mateyo, MBChB, MMed, Justin Banerdt, MD, MPH, and E. Wesley Ely, MD.
April 22, 2021

Vanderbilt, Zambia researchers identify predictive factors of delirium in Sub-Saharan Africa

Severity of illness, history of stroke, and being divorced or widowed were independently predictive of delirium in hospitalized patients in Zambia, according to a study published in PLOS ONE.

By Holly Fletcher
April 1, 2021

COVID-19 met with intensive teamwork

Team members serving COVID-19 inpatients were more densely connected, interacting far more than their medical ICU counterparts.

By Paul Govern
January 8, 2021

Large study finds higher burden of acute brain dysfunction for COVID-19 ICU patients

COVID-19 patients admitted to intensive care in the early months of the pandemic were subject to a significantly higher burden of delirium and coma than is typically found in patients with acute respiratory failure. Choice of sedative medications and curbs on family visitation played a role in increasing acute brain dysfunction for these patients.

By Paul Govern
October 1, 2020

Caregivers discuss impacts of treating COVID-19 patients

Taking care of patients critically ill with COVID-19 takes an emotional and physical toll on health care providers who say many of these patients are among the sickest they’ve ever encountered.
By Nancy Humphrey
July 22, 2020

Study to explore how COVID affects cognition over time

The Critical Illness, Brain Dysfunction and Survivorship Center at Vanderbilt University Medical Center is following patients who have been hospitalized for COVID-19 over time to see if they develop long-term cognitive impairment, depression or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
By Nancy Humphrey
March 5, 2020

Music in the ICU

Blair School of Music junior Javin Bose, left, recently played cello for visitor Angela Pursley and her mother, ICU patient Linda Saddler. The live performance was part of the Therapeutic Music in the ICU pilot project, which studies the effect of live music on ICU patients, staff and families.
By VUMC News and Communications
October 9, 2019

Vaccine study seeks to halt flu’s most severe side effects

Vanderbilt University Medical Center is leading a multicenter national study to evaluate the effectiveness of the influenza vaccine for preventing the flu’s most serious side effects — admission to an intensive care unit (ICU), organ failure and death.
By Nancy Humphrey
October 3, 2019

Study: personalized decision support affects intensive care

For patients in pediatric intensive care who are at high risk for acute kidney injury (AKI), giving clinicians automated decision support during the electronic order entry process increased the rate of blood testing for AKI by 9%.
By Paul Govern
September 25, 2019

Researchers explore music’s effect on ICU patients, staff

A group of Vanderbilt researchers is launching a pilot study on the effect of live music on patients, families and staff in the adult intensive care unit and is inviting musical members of the Vanderbilt community to help.
By Nancy Wise
March 21, 2019

Patients’ stories of recovery bring joy to care teams

Former Vanderbilt Health patient Chris Peters remembers the day he found the motivation he needed to fight for recovery after nearly dying from complications from the flu.
By Jill Clendening
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