Pradip Kumar Bhattacharya

Performing a point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) scan in critical care, along with the incorporation of the findings into a clinical pathway, has now become the standard of care. The Indian Society of Critical Care Medicine (ISCCM) has established an ultrasound network and released the desirable competencies for intensive care unit (ICU) clinicians regarding the same. This survey was performed to study the practice patterns and barriers to utilizing POCUS among various specialists across Indian ICUs. An online survey-based, cross-sectional, multicenter, observational study was conducted over a period of 3 months with a questionnaire based on the utility, skills, training, and comfort in performing POCUS in Indian ICUs. A total of 864 responses were received and analyzed. A total of 67.4% among them were specialists in critical care medicine, and 67.2% had received some form of training in POCUS. Most clinicians reported using POCUS for lung assessments, volume status evaluation, and focused cardiac assessments. Key barriers were inadequate training, limited machines, lack of supervision, time constraints, and medicolegal issues, though 32.4% reported no major obstacles. The majority of participants agreed that POCUS enables more efficient and safer care for critically ill patients. 624/864 respondents strongly agreed that POCUS training is essential for intensivists. Point-of-care ultrasound is being increasingly adopted across various specialties in critical care settings. This survey highlights the practice pattern of POCUS across India and possible limitations in expanding the role of POCUS for the management of critically ill. CTRI/2022/09/045417. Pal D, Govil D, Pachisia AV, Soni KD, Gupta S, Kothekar AT, et al. Practice Pattern of Critical Care UltraSonography in India (POCUS India): A Multicenter Cross-sectional Survey. Indian J Crit Care Med 2026;30(5):398–407.

Malnutrition has a considerable influence on critically ill patients by increasing mortality and poorer clinical outcomes. The modified Nutrition Risk in Critically Ill (mNUTRIC) score is commonly used to assess nutritional risk and predict death; however, its sensitivity, specificity, and optimal cut-off values differ between studies. This study uses a Bayesian approach to assess the accuracy of the mNUTRIC score in predicting mortality in critically ill patients. A preplanned Bayesian analysis was performed using data from 31 cohort studies, which included 13,271 intensive care unit (ICU) patients. The study investigated the mNUTRIC score's sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic odds ratio, and area under the curve (AUC). Subgroup analysis compared mortality rates at 28-day, 90-day, and in-hospital time points, along with cut-off values (et al. Bayesian Analysis of Modified Nutrition Risk in Critically Ill (mNUTRIC) Score for Mortality Prediction in Critically Ill Patients. Indian J Crit Care Med 2025;29(5):449-457.

Intrahospital transport (IHT) of critically ill patients is essential for diagnostic and therapeutic indications, requiring thorough assessment and careful preparation of patients, staff, and equipment throughout the process. Variability in practices among hospitals can affect patient safety and may result in adverse events (AEs). This position statement is designed to provide guidance to multidisciplinary critical care teams in the adoption of evidence-based recommendations aimed at mitigating risks and improving safety during patient transport. This position statement has been drafted by an expert committee on IHT constituted by the Indian Society of Critical Care Medicine. The process involved thorough review of literature from electronic database using PubMed services. Recommendations made are tailored with considerations for Indian setting; the units may further modify these as per local needs and equipment and staffing available. The final manuscript was written after achieving consensus among members, and final draft was accepted by all the committee members. This position statement offers a compilation of 38 strategic recommendations, which are comprehensive and deal with all aspects of IHT of the critically ill. Recommendations provided in this document are, therefore, applicable for routine use during the IHT. They cover all phases of transport and answer questions pertaining to pre-, intra-, and post-transport considerations. It will help to achieve uniformity, minimize AEs, and enhance safety. This is a standard set of 38 evidence-based recommendations to ensure safety for IHT, tailored for implementation in various criticalcare settings across India. Science is ever-changing, and periodic review will be needed to keep it up to date with emerging evidence and standards. Zirpe KG, Tiwari AM, Kulkarni AP, Govil D, Samavedam S, Sharma J, et al. Position Statement of ISCCM on Intrahospital Transport of Critically Ill Patients. Indian J Crit Care Med 2025;29(4):291–300.

Invasive fungal infections (IFI) in the intensive care unit (ICU) are an emerging problem owing to the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, immunosuppressive agents, and frequency of indwelling catheters. Timely diagnosis which is imperative to improve outcomes can be challenging. This position statement is aimed at understanding risk factors, providing a rational diagnostic approach, and guiding clinicians to optimize antifungal therapy. To update evidence on epidemiology, risk factors, diagnostic approach, antifungal initiation strategy, therapeutic interventions including site-specific infections and role of therapeutic drug monitoring in IFI in ICU and focus on some practice points relevant to these domains. A committee comprising critical care specialists across the country was formed and specific aspects of fungal infections and antifungal treatment were assigned to each member. They extensively reviewed the literature including the electronic databases and the international guidelines and cross-references. The information was shared and discussed over several meetings and position statements were framed to ensure their reliability and relevance in critical practice. The draft document was prepared after obtaining inputs and consensus from all the members and was reviewed by an expert in this field. The existing evidence on the management of IFI was updated and practice points were prepared under each subheading to enable critical care practitioners to streamline diagnosis and treatment strategies for patients in the ICU with additional detail on site-specific infections therapeutic drug monitoring. This position statement attempts to address the management of IFI in immunocompetent and non-neutropenic ICU patients. The practice points should guide in optimization of the management of critically ill patients with suspected or proven fungal infections. Bhattacharya PK, Chakrabarti A, Sinha S, Pande R, Gupta S, Kumar AAK, et al. ISCCM Position Statement on the Management of Invasive Fungal Infections in the Intensive Care Unit. Indian J Crit Care Med 2024;28(S2):S20-S41.

Gender disparity in Critical Care Medicine (CCM) persists globally, with women being underrepresented. Female Intensivists remain a minority, facing challenges in academic and leadership positions at the workplace and within academic societies. The Indian Society of Critical Care Medicine (ISCCM) recognized the need for addressing issues related to gender parity and constituted its first Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee in 2023. Through a Delphi process involving 38 Panelists including 53% women, consensus and stability were achieved for 18 statements (95%). From these 18 consensus statements, 15 position statements were drafted to address gender balance issues in CCM. These statements advocate for equal opportunities in recruitment, workplace inclusivity, prevention of harassment, and improved female representation in leadership roles, nominated positions, and conferences. While the consensus reflects a significant step toward gender equity, further efforts are required to implement, advocate, and evaluate the impact of these measures. The ISCCM position statements offer valuable guidance for promoting gender balance within society and the CCM community.

How to cite this article: Khilnani GC, Tiwari P, Mittal S, Kulkarni AP, Chaudhry D, Zirpe KG, et al. Guidelines for Antibiotics Prescription in Critically Ill Patients. Indian J Crit Care Med 2024;28(S2):S104-S216.

Background and purpose: Weaning from a mechanical ventilator is a milestone in the recovery of seriously ill patients in Intensive care. Failure to wean and re-intubation adversely affects the outcome. The method of mechanical ventilation (MV) varies between different ICUs and so does the practice of weaning. Therefore, updated guidelines based on contemporary literature are designed to guide intensivists in modern ICUs. This is the first ISCCM Consensus Statement on weaning complied by a committee on weaning. The recommendations are intended to be used by all the members of the ICU (Intensivists, Registrars, Nurses, and Respiratory Therapists). Methods: A Committee on weaning from MV, formed by the Indian Society of Critical Care Medicine (ISCCM) has formulated this statement on weaning from mechanical ventilators in intensive care units (ICUs) after a review of the literature. Literature was first circulated among expert committee members and allotted sections to each member. Sections of the statement written by sectional authors were peer-reviewed on multiple occasions through virtual meetings. After the final manuscript is accepted by all the committee members, it is submitted for peer review by central guideline committee of ISCCM. Once approved it has passed through review by the Editorial Board of IJCCM before it is published here as "ISCCM consensus statement on weaning from mechanical ventilator". As per the standard accepted for all its guidelines of ISCCM, we followed the modified grading of recommendations assessment, development and evaluation (GRADE) system to classify the quality of evidence and strength of recommendation. Cost-benefit, risk-benefit analysis, and feasibility of implementation in Indian ICUs are considered by the committee along with the strength of evidence. Type of ventilators and their modes, ICU staffing pattern, availability of critical care nurses, Respiratory therapists, and day vs night time staffing are aspects considered while recommending for or against any aspect of weaning. Result:This This document makes recommendation on various aspects of weaning, namely, definition, timing, weaning criteria, method of weaning, diagnosis of failure to wean, defining difficult to wean, Use of NIV, HFOV as adjunct to weaning, role of tracheostomy in weaning, weaning in of long term ventilated patients, role of physiotherapy, mobilization in weaning, Role of nutrition in weaning, role of diaphragmatic ultrasound in weaning prediction etc. Out of 42 questions addressed; the committee provided 39 recommendations and refrained from 3 questions. Of these 39; 32 are based on evidence and 7 are based on expert opinion of the committee members. It provides 27 strong recommendations and 12 weak recommendations (suggestions). Conclusion: This guideline gives extensive review on weaning from mechanical ventilator and provides various recommendations on weaning from mechanical ventilator. Though all efforts are made to make is as updated as possible one needs to review any guideline periodically to keep it in line with upcoming concepts and standards.