In the intensive care unit (ICU) relatives play a crucial role as surrogate decision-makers, since most patients cannot communicate due to their illness and treatment. Their level of involvement in decision-making can affect their psychological well-being. During the COVID-19 pandemic, relatives’ involvement …

Background ICU patients lose muscle mass rapidly and maintenance of muscle mass may contribute to improved survival rates and quality of life. Protein provision may be beneficial for preservation of muscle mass and other clinical outcomes, including survival. Current protein recommendations are expert-based …

Sepsis is a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated immune response to infection. It is the number one cause of death in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), accounting for 6 million casualties every year. Unfortunately, all clinical trials in the last decade failed due to the highly complex …

The aim of this analysis was to compare ventilation management and outcomes in invasively ventilated patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) between the first and second wave in the Netherlands. This is a post hoc analysis of two nationwide observational …

Objective Many patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections were admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU). Physical impairments are common after ICU stays and are associated with clinical and patient characteristics. To date, it is unknown if physical functioning and health status are …

Critically ill patients are subject to severe skeletal muscle wasting during intensive care unit (ICU) stay, resulting in impaired short- and long-term functional outcomes and health-related quality of life. Increased protein provision may improve functional outcomes in ICU patients by attenuating skeletal …

The Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is characterised by high tech and absence of intimacy and often lacks a structured palliative care approach for bereavement support for relatives. We developed practical tools for ICU-nurses in the Netherlands to support relatives of dying patients in the ICU.

BACKGROUND: Acute admission to an intensive care unit (ICU) can negatively affect quality of life for patients and their relatives. Relatives play an important caregiving role after the patient's admission. More knowledge and understanding of their needs are necessary as the patient transitions home. …

Subcutaneous emphysema, pneumothorax and pneumomediastinum are well-known complications of invasive ventilation in patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure. We determined the incidences of air leaks that were visible on available chest images in a cohort of critically ill patients with acute …