Biomedical subjects

Knut Dybwik

Publications and source records attributed to Knut Dybwik.

2 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2004

[Drug interactions in an intensive care unit].

BACKGROUND: A new computerised interaction database in Norwegian is available at www.druid.uio.no and in some computer physician order entry systems. The scope of this paper was to assess drug use and examine the potential usefulness of DRUID in an intensive care unit. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Drugs given patients during their first 24 hours in our mixed surgical intensive care unit over one year were entered into DRUID. RESULTS: 191 patients received 1413 drugs (median 7). According to DRUID, 110 patients (58%) had 274 potential drug interactions (median 2) of 72 classes. No interaction was of grade A (should not be combined) or C (absorption of oral drugs), 153 were of grade B (take precautions), and 121 were of grade D (academic interest). Of grade B interactions, 51% were in two and 49% in 39 classes of drug interactions. Of grade D interactions, 60% in 4 and 40% in 27 classes. INTERPRETATION: Surprisingly few serious drug interactions were found. However, in every fourth patient precautions should be taken (e.g. dose adjustments). Electronic prescribing systems might give fewer adverse effects.

Databases, Factual↗

PubMed2003

[Infrared temporal thermometry].

BACKGROUND: Thermometry at other body sites than the rectum may have its advantages. Some studies have shown that infrared tympanic measurement has poor sensitivity in febrile patients. We evaluated a new infrared temporal thermometer that calculates core temperature by measuring skin temperature and ambient temperature over the superficial temporal artery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: During two periods in 2002, 164 consecutive intensive care patients were measured by both digital rectal and infrared temporal thermometry. RESULTS: The average difference between rectal and temporal measurements was 0.3 degrees C. Fever was defined as a rectal temperature of 38 degrees C and was present in 70 patients. The temporal scanner detected fever in 33 of those patients, which gives a sensitivity of 53 % (95% CI 41-65%) and a specificity of 96 % (95% CI 90-99%). The positive predictive value was 90% (95% CI 77-97%) and the negative predictive value 73% (95% CI 64-81%). INTERPRETATION: The results are better than for infrared tympanometry. The sensitivity of the infrared temporal thermometer for detecting rectally measured fever is too low to recommend its use in adult intensive care patients.

Adult↗