Characterization of patients admitted to intensive care unit directly from emergency department

Abstract

Results In the course of three months, 49 patients were admitted to the ICU via the ED. Average length of admission was 3.1 days. Main conditions were divided into seven subgroups; drug intoxication (n=13), respiratory insufficiency (n=11), GIhaemorrhage (n=6), high-pressure lung oedema (n=3), electrolyte disturbances (n=3), septic shock (n=3) and others (n=10). Treatments primarily used were, fluid/electrolyte therapy (n=29), broad-spectrum antibiotics (n=24), intubation (n=12), blood component therapy (n=11), NIV treatment (n=10), corticosteroids (n=10), beta-agonist inhalation treatment (n=7), vasopressor drugs (n=8), activated charcoal (n=9), diuretics (n=10), and others (n=52). In the subgroup of drug intoxication, 69% patients received activated charcoal. The remaining 31% were either unconscious and could not cooperate to place a gastric tube/drink the charcoal, or came to the ED too late, with activated charcoal having no effect. 69% of the patients also expressed that the incident was an attempt at suicide.