Background Prompt recognition of the reversal of respiratory failure may permit earlier
discontinuation of mechanical ventilation, without harm to the patient. Methods We conducted a …

Background: Procedure instruction for physicians-in-training is usually nonstandardized. The
authors observed that during insertion of central venous catheters (CVCs), few physicians …

A respiratory therapist-driven weaning protocol incorporating daily screens, spontaneous
breathing trials (SBT), and prompts to caregivers has been associated with superior outcomes …

Background There are conflicting data on the effects of antipsychotic medications on delirium
in patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). Methods In a randomized, double-blind, placebo…

We prospectively investigated the large-scale implementation of a respiratory-therapist–driven
protocol (TDP) that included 117 respiratory care practitioners (RCPs) managing 1,067 …

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is the most common nosocomial infection in the ICU.
Patients who acquire VAP have higher mortality rates and longer ICU and hospital stays. …

Background While current guidelines recommend consideration of local microbiologic data
when selecting empiric treatment for hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP), few specifics of …

The relationship between sepsis-induced CNS dysfunction and changes in brain blood flow
remains unknown, and animal studies examining the influence of sepsis on cerebral blood …

… Bowton has received grant support from Theravance and PPD, and has been a consultant
to Wyeth and Spacelabs. Drs. Miano, Reichert, MacGregor, and Kincaid have reported to the …

… Correspondence and requests for reprints should be addressed to David L. Bowton, MD,
Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Medical Center Blvd., Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1054. …