Chapter 3 – Show Me the Data
Abstract Shared decision-making involves using the best scientific evidence available to make a choice together with the patient or their surrogate, while weighing the options against the patient’s values, preferences,…
Chapter 4 – Communication Skills for Critical Care Family Meetings
Abstract Excellent communication is a foundation of shared decision making. As discussed throughout this book, shared decision-making is a collaborative process of (1) exchanging medical and personal information about patients’…
Chapter 7 – Prolonged Ventilator Dependence for the Pulmonary Patient
Abstract Mr. Smith is a 68-year-old man with chronic obstructive lung disease on supplemental oxygen who presented to the emergency department with influenza A and a Staphylococcus aureus superinfection. The…
Chapter 10 – Hypoxic–Ischemic Brain Injury after Cardiac Arrest
Abstract Mr. Jones is a 65-year-old man with a past medical history of coronary artery disease who is admitted after an unwitnessed pulseless electrical activity arrest at home. He achieved…
Chapter 9 – Shared Decision-Making during Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation
Abstract The use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) supports a patient’s respiratory or cardiovascular systems via an oxygenator and pump to enhance native function. Venoarterial support takes blood from a…
Chapter 8 – Renal Replacement Therapy
Abstract A 72-year-old man is brought to the emergency department from his skilled nursing facility for shortness of breath and altered mental status. He is admitted to the medical intensive…
Chapter 2 – How Much Does the Family Want to Be Involved in Decision-Making?
Abstract As advancements in medical therapy improve survival, we are confronted with more patients who either cannot communicate or lack decisional capacity, leaving a more common dependency on collaborations with…
Overlooking the Basics and Focusing on Medications That Do Not Matter During Pediatric Codes
Overlooking the Basics and Focusing on Medications That Do Not Matter During Pediatric Codes Michael S. Mitchell, MD Crick Watkins, DO The crashing pediatric patient can induce anxiety for providers…
Chapter 19 – Thoracostomy Tube Insertion
Abstract Traditionally, a tube thoracostomy is placed using the open technique; however, percutaneous techniques, and those using serial dilation, are also acceptable. Care should be taken with trocar techniques due…
Chapter 18 – Cricothyroidotomy
Abstract When attempts at orotracheal intubation or airway rescue techniques (e.g., laryngeal mask airway) have failed in a patient who cannot oxygenate or ventilate, cricothyroidotomy is the emergency surgical airway…
