We are also looking at ways of more effectively triage critical care patients as well as developing clinical pathways to facilitate patient flow through the Intensive Care Unit. Finally we are looking at the cost of providing critical care. Despite the busy clinical service, the academic efforts of the ICU staff continue to expand. We have an ongoing interest in blood transfusion and blood preservation techniques. We are currently investigating the efficacy of recumbent Erythropoietin administered to critically ill patients in an attempt to reduce transfusion needs.
Studies are also underway which look at immune functions in trauma and surgery.
Other studies are focusing on the effects of anesthesia techniques on cardiac and hemodynamic parameters in cardiac and aortic surgery. Finally, there are ongoing projects on administrative quality assurance issues as they pertain to the Intensive Care Unit such as ICU costs and regional critical care organization. The Critical Care Fellowship remains active. Over the last year, we have had two Anesthesiologists and one Internist in our program. Our Fellowship program remains truly multi-disciplinary with other Fellows from both Surgery and Pulmonary Critical Care participating.