This month in JICS

It is with a sense of frustration and injustice that I open this issue of JICS by informing you that our Journal has, once again, been rejected by the National Library of Medicine for PubMed indexing. The reasons for rejecting our application were inadequate and inaccurate, and I have submitted an appeal. The reviewers describe the Journal as ‘narrow in focus', a description that could not be further from the truth (as aptly illustrated by this current issue). In my response, I highlighted that such a statement is hard to defend given the breadth of topics covered in our Journal and engulfed within our specialty. I took the liberty of pointing out that the journal ‘Therapeutic Hypothermia and Temperature Management' is indexed; while I am sure that the latter is a riveting read, I cannot believe that JICS is ‘narrow in focus' in comparison. The reviewers also commented that the Journal used ‘unfamiliar terminology' to which I have responded that “the terminology is absolutely standard in the international medical literature, particularly within the field of intensive care medicine”. Following dialogue with the National Library of Medicine, it seems that they are inundated with applications currently and, as a result, much of the work has been out-sourced. This is telling, and the lack of relevant and informed comments from the reviewers is the basis of our appeal, the result of which is awaited at the time of writing. In a world of increasing transparency and accountability, the process for Medline/PubMed indexing remains remarkably opaque and inconsistent; thus the outcome is far from certain. As soon as I know more, I will forward the verdict to you all; in the meantime, JICS moves onwards with or without the National Library's support …

The above frustrations vented, it is with pleasure that I offer up this issue's delicacies for your consumption. The original articles cover a wealth of topics ranging from rehabilitation and delirium in intensive care to the optimisation of enteral feeding times, calculation of renal replacement therapy doses, and development of a national quality improvement programme for intensive care infections. Brendan McGrath and colleagues describe the technical use of ‘above cuff vocalisation' and the communication benefits that it provides. The technique is not without its potential hazards and the authors clearly recognise these. Humidification of the ‘circuit' requires some lateral thinking but solutions can be found; indeed, having achieved such a solution with my own physiotherapy and nursing colleagues, I have been able to see the technique in action and can vouch for the benefits to both patient and staff. Clearly, we must be cautious when introducing new innovations into practice, and a consensus team approach should be adopted; however, I recommend that you consider giving the technique a try; the results are immediate and obvious.

We have a variety of reviews, case reports and correspondence which will, I hope, provide interest and education while provoking debate. One article that I feel compelled to bring to your attention provides proof (if needed) that fact is often stranger than fiction; I recommend savouring James Bickley's case report on Fairy Liquid® consumption – once digested, washing up will never be the same.

I will finish by offering my sincere congratulations to Wendy Walker, Judith Wright, Gerard Danjoux, Simon Howell, Denis Martin, and Stephen Bonner whose article entitled ‘Project Post Intensive Care eXercise (PIX): A qualitative exploration of intensive care unit survivors’ perceptions of quality of life post-discharge and experience of exercise rehabilitation' won the 2015 JICS publication award. The award is worth £2000 and is up for grabs again in 2016, and I would encourage you to put ‘pen to paper' and submit your work to JICS; quite literally, you've got to be in it to win it.