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THREAD: Patient interpretations of ICU jargon that @Saramerwin1 & I are writing for @CritCareGame - would love your feedback!
these have to be REALLY short to fit on the cards
pt-centered clarity is more important 
accuracy
Setting: general ICU
Please share & comment!
these have to be REALLY short to fit on the cards pt-centered clarity is more important accuracySetting: general ICU Please share & comment!
Do Not Resuscitate
An order that prohibits CPR & restarting the heart when it stops beating. Often paired with Do Not Intubate (DNI), prohibiting the use of a breathing tube. Ordered after discussion with patient/family.
An order that prohibits CPR & restarting the heart when it stops beating. Often paired with Do Not Intubate (DNI), prohibiting the use of a breathing tube. Ordered after discussion with patient/family.
Sedation Vacation
For patients on the ventilator, we routinely stop sedatives (medications which keep the patient asleep) to allow patients to wake up and try to breathe on their own, getting them off of life support faster.
For patients on the ventilator, we routinely stop sedatives (medications which keep the patient asleep) to allow patients to wake up and try to breathe on their own, getting them off of life support faster.
Vasopressors
Powerful medications that increase the blood pressure to maintain blood flow to vital organs. Vasopressors are a form of life support.
Powerful medications that increase the blood pressure to maintain blood flow to vital organs. Vasopressors are a form of life support.
Fluid Overload
When the the heart or kidneys are not able to manage the body’s water balance, fluid accumulates throughout the body, including in the lungs.
When the the heart or kidneys are not able to manage the body’s water balance, fluid accumulates throughout the body, including in the lungs.
Blood Transfusion
Giving blood is easier than getting it; blood type must determined in advance Complications are rare, but may be serious.
Giving blood is easier than getting it; blood type must determined in advance Complications are rare, but may be serious.
Bedside Debridement
When flesh is badly infected or dead (necrotic), it must be removed by surgeons to allow healthy tissue to thrive
When flesh is badly infected or dead (necrotic), it must be removed by surgeons to allow healthy tissue to thrive
Pericardiocentesis
Fluid can accumulate in the “pericardial sac,” a kind of envelope that surrounds the heart. A needle & catheter (tube) inserted through the chest into the sac drains the fluid.
Fluid can accumulate in the “pericardial sac,” a kind of envelope that surrounds the heart. A needle & catheter (tube) inserted through the chest into the sac drains the fluid.
ECMO
When even mechanical ventilation is insufficient to get oxygen in the blood, ECMO can bypass the lungs (and sometimes the heart) to put oxygen directly into the blood.
When even mechanical ventilation is insufficient to get oxygen in the blood, ECMO can bypass the lungs (and sometimes the heart) to put oxygen directly into the blood.
Dialysis
Dialysis is life support that replaces the kidneys, removing excess water and toxins from the blood. In the ICU, we use a form of "continuous" dialysis that runs non-stop.
Dialysis is life support that replaces the kidneys, removing excess water and toxins from the blood. In the ICU, we use a form of "continuous" dialysis that runs non-stop.
Comfort Care (Hospice)
The focus of care switches from prolonging life to minimizing suffering and maximizing the patient's ability to achieve what is important to them at the end of life.
The focus of care switches from prolonging life to minimizing suffering and maximizing the patient's ability to achieve what is important to them at the end of life.
Paralytics
Medication to stop all control of movement is used in extreme cases to help the ventilator be as efficient as possible. Paralysis without sedation is torture.
Medication to stop all control of movement is used in extreme cases to help the ventilator be as efficient as possible. Paralysis without sedation is torture.
Tracheostomy
A hole through your throat into your windpipe allows for long-term use of the ventilator.
A hole through your throat into your windpipe allows for long-term use of the ventilator.
Prothrombin Complex Concentrates
Components of the blood that help it clot are taken from donated blood and given to patients who are bleeding with “thin” blood.
Components of the blood that help it clot are taken from donated blood and given to patients who are bleeding with “thin” blood.
Plasmapheresis
Removing the liquid part of the blood along with any antibodies in it can help treat a variety of inflammatory conditions.
Removing the liquid part of the blood along with any antibodies in it can help treat a variety of inflammatory conditions.
Craniotomy
Surgical removal of part of the skull, often used when pressure has built up inside the skull- e.g., from bleeding.
Surgical removal of part of the skull, often used when pressure has built up inside the skull- e.g., from bleeding.
Mechanical Ventilation
A tube is inserted into the windpipe and connected to a machine that breathes for you - oxygen in, carbon dioxide out.
A tube is inserted into the windpipe and connected to a machine that breathes for you - oxygen in, carbon dioxide out.
Bronchoscopy
A flexible tube with camera inserted through the mouth or nose into the airways to remove blood or pus and make a diagnosis.
A flexible tube with camera inserted through the mouth or nose into the airways to remove blood or pus and make a diagnosis.
Central Line
A long "IV" catheter that starts in the neck or groin and delivers medications close to the heart.
A long "IV" catheter that starts in the neck or groin and delivers medications close to the heart.
Anticoagulation (Blood Thinners)
The blood needs to be like Goldilocks' porridge- not too thin, not too thick. Not thin enough and you’ll clot; too thin and you’ll bleed.
The blood needs to be like Goldilocks' porridge- not too thin, not too thick. Not thin enough and you’ll clot; too thin and you’ll bleed.
CT Scan
A Computed Tomography scan is a series of x-rays turned into a 3d picture of the body. It can tell us everything... or nothing.
A Computed Tomography scan is a series of x-rays turned into a 3d picture of the body. It can tell us everything... or nothing.
Naso-Gastric (NG) Tube
A tube inserted through the nose into the stomach to drain blood/stomach contents or deliver nutrition.
A tube inserted through the nose into the stomach to drain blood/stomach contents or deliver nutrition.
Daily Family Meetings
An important way to understand the patient's goals priorities, preferences and values and to help the family understand the illness.
An important way to understand the patient's goals priorities, preferences and values and to help the family understand the illness.
Amp of Bicarb
Sodium Bicarbonate Ampules: the blood's natural buffer, but a temporizing measure at best in the ICU.
Sodium Bicarbonate Ampules: the blood's natural buffer, but a temporizing measure at best in the ICU.
High Flow Nasal Oxygen
Lots of oxygen, really fast: up to 80L/minute! Delivered through thick nasal prongs, often humidified
Lots of oxygen, really fast: up to 80L/minute! Delivered through thick nasal prongs, often humidified
CT Angiogram
Using contrast dye, we can get map the blood vessels in the body, identifying blockages or leaks.
Using contrast dye, we can get map the blood vessels in the body, identifying blockages or leaks.
Steroids
Steroids reduce inflammation, but don't always work as intended and have a host of side effects.
Steroids reduce inflammation, but don't always work as intended and have a host of side effects.
Occupational Therapist
OTs are focused on skill-building, on helping a patient regain the ability to do basic tasks often lost when critically ill.
OTs are focused on skill-building, on helping a patient regain the ability to do basic tasks often lost when critically ill.
Physical Therapist
Critical illness often leaves patients so weak they need weeks or more of physical rehab. PT helps maintain strength from day 1.
Critical illness often leaves patients so weak they need weeks or more of physical rehab. PT helps maintain strength from day 1.
Biologic Therapy
Medications used to help regulate or normalize the immune system may increase your risk for infections.
Medications used to help regulate or normalize the immune system may increase your risk for infections.
Respiratory Therapist
In the ICU, RTs are round-the-clock patient-centered ventilator engineers that help with a variety of breathing therapies.
In the ICU, RTs are round-the-clock patient-centered ventilator engineers that help with a variety of breathing therapies.
Social Worker
Social workers (MSW) support and advocate for patients & families & improve communication with the medical team.
Social workers (MSW) support and advocate for patients & families & improve communication with the medical team.
Chest Tube
Plastic catheters that go into the chest, often on the side, and drain fluid or air.
Plastic catheters that go into the chest, often on the side, and drain fluid or air.
Nursing Assistant
Nursing assistants provide much of the hands-on patient care in the ICU and elsewhere.
Nursing assistants provide much of the hands-on patient care in the ICU and elsewhere.
Foley (Bladder) Catheter
Once used ubiquitously in the ICU, invasive bladder catheters are uncomfortable and add a risk of infection.
Once used ubiquitously in the ICU, invasive bladder catheters are uncomfortable and add a risk of infection.
Physical Restraints
Soft restraints are sometimes necessary to keep confused patients safe- but at what cost?
Soft restraints are sometimes necessary to keep confused patients safe- but at what cost?
Albuterol Nebulizer
A machine creates a mist that dilates (opens up) the airways. For people with asthma, more than a breath of fresh air: it can be a lifesaver.
A machine creates a mist that dilates (opens up) the airways. For people with asthma, more than a breath of fresh air: it can be a lifesaver.
Fresh Frozen Plasma
The liquid part of the blood filled with stuff that helps your blood clot better.
The liquid part of the blood filled with stuff that helps your blood clot better.
Insulin
Insulin lowers the blood sugar. In the ICU, it often comes as a continuous IV "drip" into the bloodstream. Everyone who needs insulin should get it. #Insulin4All
Insulin lowers the blood sugar. In the ICU, it often comes as a continuous IV "drip" into the bloodstream. Everyone who needs insulin should get it. #Insulin4All
Albumin
A protein that can keep fluid from leaking out of blood vessels
A protein that can keep fluid from leaking out of blood vessels
Charge Nurse
Without nurses, there is no intensive care. The Charge Nurse changes each shift and has administrative responsibilities.
(How is that, #NurseTwitter?)
Without nurses, there is no intensive care. The Charge Nurse changes each shift and has administrative responsibilities.
(How is that, #NurseTwitter?)
IV Antibiotics
IV antibiotics are quicker and sometimes stronger than than oral antibiotics.
IV antibiotics are quicker and sometimes stronger than than oral antibiotics.
Electro-Encephalo-Gram (EEG)
A test that measures brain activity, particularly to identify seizures.
A test that measures brain activity, particularly to identify seizures.
IV Electrolytes
It is essential to balance minerals like calcium, potassium, sodium, chloride, phosphate, and magnesium in the blood.
It is essential to balance minerals like calcium, potassium, sodium, chloride, phosphate, and magnesium in the blood.
