Previous studies

WICS collaborative studies:

The Impact of Alcohol on ICU in Wales

Alcohol contributes to 15% of all Critical Care admissions in Wales and to a higher proportion of unplanned admissions. Alcohol-related admissions tend to be younger and more likely to die in Critical Care than other admissions. A national strategy to address the impact of alcohol is greatly needed.

Defining sepsis on the wards: results of a multi-centre point-prevalence study comparing two sepsis definitions

  • One-day prevalence study conducted across all acute sites in Wales in October 2016
  • Currently in preparation for submission

WICS and WHAIP:

VAP prevention in Wales: a survey of practices and beliefs

Welsh units have all developed practices since the widespread introduction of a core ventilator bundle in 2006. However, this has led to substantial variation between centres, in particular with relation to use of sub-glottis endotracheal suction tubes, frequency of ventilator circuit changes, stress ulcer prophylaxis and oral chlorhexidine decontamination. A re-evaluation of ventilator bundles is recommended  together with the adoption of a more uniform approach.

VAP surveillance in Wales… is HELICS the best way?

Current (HELICS/ ECDC) VAP surveillance definitions identify less than one-third of cases of suspected ventilator-associated RTI. Lack of chest radiography precludes nearly 50% cases from meeting the surveillance definition of VAP, and as a consequence we are very likely to be underestimating the incidence of VAP in Wales.

Projects supported by WICS:

The size of sepsis in Wales: a nationwide point-prevalence study (2015)

Sepsis is more prevalent in the general ward and ED than previously suspected. Furthermore, screening and effective treatment for sepsis is imperfectly established in this environment – leading to high 90 day mortality.

Developing a digital data collection platform to measure prevalence of sepsis in Wales

 

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