Characteristics and outcomes of critically-ill medical patients admitted to a tertiary medical center with restricted ICU bed capacity

Characteristics, management and outcome of critically ill general medical patients in the Emergency Department: An observational study

BACKGROUND

Critically ill general medical patients are an increasing group in the Emergency Department (ED). This register-based cohort study aimed to examine these patients' characteristics, ED management and outcome, and investigate factors associated with ICU admission.

METHODS

The study comprised all adult medical triage 1 patients treated by a specialized multidisciplinary team in 2015 and 2016. Univariate and multivariate analysis were used.

RESULTS

1294 patients were included. Mean age was 59 years, 56% (n = 725) were male, mean National Early Warning Score 2 (NEWS2) was 7, intensive care unit (ICU) admission was 56.8% (n = 735) and mortality rate was 16.8% (n = 217). Median ED length of stay (LOS) was 1.6 h, 1.2 h if admitted to ICU. The most frequent discharge diagnosis was acute poisoning (24.0%, n = 308). Younger age, male gender, arriving at nighttime weekdays, higher NEWS2 at arrival, critical care interventions or medications in the ED was associated with ICU admission.

CONCLUSION

More than half of the patients were admitted to ICU, and the mortality rate was 16.8%. A large proportion was diagnosed with acute poisoning. Younger age, higher NEWS and critical care in ED were associated with ICU admission. The short ED LOS suggests that management by a multidisciplinary team is beneficial.

Effect of Delayed Admission to Intensive Care Units from the Emergency Department on the Mortality of Critically Ill Patients

Background: Increasing in emergency department need to critical care, the number of intensive care unit bed worldwide is inadequate to meet these applies. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of waiting for admission to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in the Emergency Department (ED) on the length of stay in the ICU and the mortality of critically ill patients. Methods: This retrospective cohort study carried out between January 2012 - 2019 patients admitted to the ICU of a training and research hospital. The data of 1297 adult patients were obtained by searching the Clinical Decision Support System. Results: The data of the patients were evaluated in two groups as those considered to be delayed and non-delayed. It was determined that the delay of two hours increased the risk of mortality 1.5 times. Hazard Ratios (HR) was 1.548 (1.077 - 2.224). Patients whose ICU admission was delayed by 5 - 6 hours were found to have the highest risk in terms of mortality (HR = 2.291 [1.503 - 3.493]). A statistically significant difference was found in the ICU mortality, 28-day and, 90-day mortality between the two groups. ICU mortality for all patients’ general was 25.2% (327/1297). This rate was 11.4% (55/481) in the non-delayed group and 33.3% (272/816) in the delayed group (P < 0.001). The 28-day mortality rate for all patients’ general was 26.9% (349/1297). This rate was found to be 13.5% (65/481) in the non-delayed group and 34.8% (284/816) in the delayed group (P < 0.001). The 90-day mortality for all patients’ general was 28.4% (368/1297). This rate was 14.1% (68/481) in the non-delayed group and 36.8% (300/816) in the delayed group (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Prolonged stay in the ED before admission to the ICU is associated with worse consequences, and increased mortality.

Outcomes of diabetic ketoacidosis in a tertiary centre with restricted intensive care unit bed capacity

BACKGROUND

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is an acute metabolic condition, sometimes requiring admission to an intensive care unit (ICU).

AIMS

To investigate the outcomes of DKA patients admitted to a hospital with restricted ICU capacity.

METHODS

We included all DKA patients above age 18 who were admitted to a tertiary hospital during 2004-2017. We conducted multivariate logistic regression analysis adjusted for ICU bed availability to analyse parameters associated with ICU admission, and a composite outcome of mortality, DKA recurrence and mechanical ventilation.

RESULTS

Among 382 DKA patients in our cohort, 94 (24.6%) were admitted to the ICU. The in-hospital mortality was 4.7%. Low bicarbonate (<10 mmoL/L) and pH (<7) levels at presentation were associated with ICU admission (P < 0.001 for both). In multivariate models availability of beds in the ICU was not associated with ICU admission, mortality or DKA recurrence of any type.

CONCLUSION

In a setting of limited ICU capacity, DKA treatment does not necessarily require admission to the ICU. When the rising rates of diabetes mellitus and the associated elevated rates of DKA are taken into account, our results highlight the importance of including step-down units when devising local protocols for care of these patients.

Level of acuity, severity and intensity of care of adults and older adults admitted to the Intensive Care Unit

OBJECTIVE

To characterize the level of acuity, severity and intensity of care of adults and older adults admitted to Intensive Care Units and to identify the predictors of severity with their respective predictive capacity according to the age group.

METHOD

A retrospective cohort based on the analysis of medical records of individuals admitted to eight adult intensive care units in the city of São Paulo. The clinical characteristics at admission in relation to severity profile and intensity of care were analyzed through association and correlation tests. The predictors were identified by linear regression and the predictive capacity through the ROC curve.

RESULTS

Of the 781 cases (41.1% from older adults), 56.2% were males with a mean age of 54.1 ± 17.3 years. The burden of the disease, the organic dysfunction and the number of devices were the predictors associated with greater severity among adults and older adults, in which the organic dysfunction had the highest predictive capacity (80%) in both groups.

CONCLUSION

Adults and older adults presented a similar profile of severity and intensity of care in admission to the Intensive Care Unit. Organic dysfunction was the factor with the best ability to predict severity in adults and older adults.