VariousIatrogenicComplications inIntensiveCareUnit

Abstract

Critically ill patients are highly vulnerable to medicalerrors, becausethey usually have bothunderlying comorbiditiesandacuteorgandysfunctions.Inaddition, thelife-sustainingtreatmentsandhighly technicalroutine careusedinICUsprovidemany opportunitiesformedical errors.

Neurologicalcomplicationsinintensivecareoccur asthe result ofcriticalillness,intensive caretherapiesand procedures, ormedicalorsurgicalconditionsor becauseof underlying primary neurologic disease.Iatrogenic neurologicalcomplicationsinclude alteredmentalstatus, seizuresandICUacquiredweakness.

Altered mental status and coma are the most commonneurologic complicationsinIntensiveCareUnits andComaintheICUisusually toxic/metabolicinnature andis oftenmulti-factorial.Sepsis, hypotension, hypoxia, acidbaseddisorders, hypothermia,glucoseandelectrolyte abnormalities,and medicationsarethemostcommon causes.Uremicfailureandhepaticfailureoftencontribute tocoma.