Stijn Blot's guest appearances

Stijn Blot

Critical Care Nursing

Michelle Kelly

John Marshall

Dustin Anderson

Mike Ackerman

Simon Finfer

Frances Lin

Lisa Soltis

Kathleen Vollman

Susan Yeager

Leanne Aitken

Nicole Kupchik

David Waters

Anne Alexandrov

Andrea Marshall

Eugene Mondor

OwlTail

Despite limited evidence, chlorhexidine oral care is used worldwide in the prevention of intubation-related pneumonia as it is recommended by leading health institutions. Recent research, however, questions the safety of this practice with a trend towards increased mortality in meta-analyses and a solid association with mortality in a large hospital-wide cohort study.

<p>Despite limited evidence, chlorhexidine oral care is used worldwide in the prevention of intubation-related pneumonia as it is recommended by leading health institutions. Recent research, however, questions the safety of this practice with a trend towards increased mortality in meta-analyses and a solid association with mortality in a large hospital-wide cohort study.</p>

Prof. Stijn Blot: Chlorhexidine Oral Care: controversies examined

Critically ill patients are at high risk for developing a life-threatening infection such as bloodstream infection or pneumonia. These infections might lead to sepsis and multiple organ failure. Adequate antimicrobial therapy is essential to optimize the chances of survival. Three key issues in this regard are (i) a first antimicrobial dose administered as soon as possible after the onset of the septic episode, (ii) an empiric antimicrobial spectrum covering the causative pathogens, and (iii) adequate dosing. However, efficient dosing is problematic because of pathophysiological changes associated with critical illness affects the pharmacokinetics of mainly hydrophilic antimicrobials. And the preparation and administration of antibiotics may also negatively impact the efficiency of therapy. Therefore nurses must be aware of some points of interest in order to optimize antibiotic therapy.

<p>Critically ill patients are at high risk for developing a life-threatening infection such as bloodstream infection or pneumonia. These infections might lead to sepsis and multiple organ failure. Adequate antimicrobial therapy is essential to optimize the chances of survival. Three key issues in this regard are (i) a first antimicrobial dose administered as soon as possible after the onset of the septic episode, (ii) an empiric antimicrobial spectrum covering the causative pathogens, and (iii) adequate dosing. However, efficient dosing is problematic because of pathophysiological changes associated with critical illness affects the pharmacokinetics of mainly hydrophilic antimicrobials. And the preparation and administration of antibiotics may also negatively impact the efficiency of therapy. Therefore nurses must be aware of some points of interest in order to optimize antibiotic therapy.</p>

Professor Stijn Blot: Antibiotic Therapy in the ICU: what nurses should know