Acute Physiologic Chronic Health Evaluation Research Articles

179 Physical activity and physical function in survivors of critical illness after hospital discharge: A prospective, observational study

Abstract Purpose Survivors of critical illness often experience persistent physical, functional and/or cognitive impairments (i.e. Post-Intensive Care Syndrome). Currently, there is very limited rehabilitation provided as part of standard care for this population. Evaluation of physical activity (PA) and function, and the feasibility of collecting data, specifically in people after critical illness could provide insights into their activity levels after critical illness. The aim was to assess and describe PA and function in the year following hospital discharge in patients who have been mechanically ventilated in intensive care. Methods A prospective, observational study. (Ethical approval/REC Reference: 17/N1/0115). Patients discharged from hospital following intensive care unit (ICU) admission were invited to attend up to four assessments: within 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 6 months and 1 year, following hospital discharge. Seven-day accelerometer-based PA (daily step count), modified shuttle walk test (MSWT) and handgrip strength (HGS) were assessed at each timepoint. Results were compared against research guidelines and normative data. Results Participants (n = 14) were: age: 53.9 ± 14.5 years; sex: 8 male/6 female; ICU length of stay: 9.00 days (IQR: 4.50 days); mechanical ventilation duration: 58.50hrs (IQR: 132.75hrs); Acute Physiologic Chronic Health Evaluation: 15.36 ± 8.51. There were several challenges with data collection e.g. participants using mobility aids could not perform MSWT. Participants performed below research guidelines/normative values for mean daily steps (763 – 7744 steps), MSWT (40 – 800m), and HGS (8 – 52kg) across the 12-month study period. Conclusions In the year following hospital discharge, PA and function varied among ICU survivors and remained low. Assessments using accelerometry and handgrip dynamometry were feasible. A more consistently administered test is needed to evaluate exercise capacity across the recovery continuum in this heterogenic population. These findings could be used to guide future development of personalised rehabilitation interventions and goal-setting in this population. Patients have also highlighted that they feel that the provision of physical rehabilitation could support their recovery. Support/Funding Source The Department of Employment and Learning with Seed Funding from the Northern Ireland Clinical Research Facility.

PENGARUH REEDUKASI TERHADAP PENGETAHUAN DAN SIKAP PERAWAT TERHADAP SISTEM PENILAIAN APACHE II

The highly dynamic and complex condition of the intensive care unit makes it difficult for nurses to provide the best possible care. The Acute Physiology Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score system is a commonly used option in intensive care units. (ICU). The poor knowledge of nurses about APACHE II can be a predictor of mortality and the severity of the patient's condition. This research aims to find out the influence of reeducation on the knowledge and attitude of nurses toward the application o f the APACHE II assessment system in the RSUP ICU room, Dr. Soeradji Tirtonegoro Klaten. The study involved 35 nurses at ICUs, of whom 57.1% were women. The research design used is a one-group pretest-posttest design. The re-education is done by lecture and the question-and-answer method using the APACHE app on the smartphone for 30 minutes. The knowledge and attitude of the nurse are measured using the instrument created by Chen et al. (2004). The results indicate that the majority of nurses at RSUP ICU, Dr. Soradjo Irtonegoro, are in DIV or S1 nursing (57.1%), working more than 3 months (91.4%). The average pre-reeducation knowledge score is 43.4, the average post- reeducation learning score is 58.5 (rating 0-100), and the results of the Wilcoxon test showed a p = 0.00. The average attitude score before reeducation is 64.7; after reeducation, it is 73.2, with a p -value of 0.00. Reeducation improves the knowledge and attitude of ICU nurses when applying APACHE II.

Proton Pump Inhibitors Were Associated With Reduced Pseudocysts in Acute Pancreatitis: A Multicenter Cohort Study.

Background: Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a systemic inflammatory disorder with a wide spectrum of clinical symptoms that can range from mild to severe. Previous preclinical study results suggest that proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) can inhibit exocrine pancreatic secretion and exert anti-inflammatory properties, which might in turn improve the outcome of AP. Aim: We conducted this multicenter, retrospective cohort study to investigate the potential effects of PPIs on the mortality, and total duration of hospital stay and local complication occurrence of patients with AP. Methods: A total of 858 patients with AP were included. All patients presented to the hospital within 48 h of symptom onset and were divided into the following two groups: patients who were treated with PPIs (n = 684) and those not treated with PPIs (n = 174). We used propensity score matching (PSM) analysis to reduce confounding bias before comparing the outcomes between the two groups. Results: Before PSM analysis, there were significant differences in a number of parameters between the two groups, including age, sex, hematocrit, blood urea nitrogen, peritonitis signs, Ranson’s score, and Acute Physiology Chronic Health Evaluation II score and organ failure occurrence. Before PSM, the PPIs group had a higher rate of mortality than the control group [RR = 1.065; 95% confidence ratio (CI) 1.045–1.086; p = 0.001]. After PSM, there was no significant difference in mortality (RR = 1.009; 95% CI, 0.999–1.019; p = 0.554) or total hospital stay (p = 0.856), although the PPIs group had a lower occurrence of pancreatic pseudocyst (RR = 0.416; 95% CI 0.221–0.780; p = 0.005). Conclusion: This study showed that PPIs therapy was not associated with reduced mortality or total hospital stay, but was associated with a reduction in the occurrence of pseudocysts in patients with acute pancreatitis.

Effects of CRRT on renal function and toxin clearance in patients with sepsis: a case-control study.

ObjectiveTo explore the effects of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) on renal function and toxin clearance in patients with sepsis and concurrent acute kidney injury (AKI).MethodA retrospective analysis was performed using the medical records of 115 patients with sepsis and AKI. Among them, 60 patients received routine treatment (group A) and 55 patients received CRRT plus routine treatment (group B).ResultAfter treatment, the clearance rates of serum creatinine, lactic acid, and urea nitrogen were significantly lower in group A than in group B. The decrease in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and tumor necrosis factor-α levels after treatment was significantly higher in group B than in group A. For the Acute Physiology Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores from the two groups, the scores were significantly lower in group B than in group A. The mortality rate within 28 days was significantly higher in group A than in group B.ConclusionCRRT can effectively improve the condition of patients with sepsis and AKI, promote elimination of toxins (serum creatinine, lactic acid, and urea nitrogen) from the body, and reduce the mortality rate.

Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Readmission: A Mixed- Method Systematic Review

Objective: This review aimed to determine the issue associated with patient’s readmission to intensive care units (ICU) within 24 to 72 hours. Methods: A mixed-method systematic literature review was carried out with 16 articles which published within the year of 2010 to 2020. Result: Three themes were found related to ICU readmission; predictors, factors, and recommendation. The predictors were Acute Physiological Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE), Stability and Workload Index for Transfer (SWIFT), Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System (TISS) and others. The factors contributing to ICU readmission which are higher score level of tools used, severity of illness, discharge time, hemodynamic monitoring and patient’s conditions before discharge. The recommendations to reduce the ICU readmission from this review were ICU follow-up program, new staff nurses should be supported by senior staff, change of ICU discharge process, and introduce an intermediate unit. Conclusion: This review findings recommended that there is a need for a follow-up program by ICU nurse-led, the use of semi-intensive units and implementing transition programs of critical care for patients readmitted to ICU within 72 hours. Thus, more effort should be made to reduce the ICU readmission within 24 to 72 hours to improve the quality of patient’s life.

What are the prognostic factors affecting 30-day mortality in geriatric patients with respiratory failure in the Intensive Care Unit?

Objective:We aimed to investigate the prognostic factors related to 30 day mortality of elderly patients with respiratory failure in the intensive care unit (ICU).Methods:We performed a single centre, retrospective study and analyzed the main variables and outcomes of 238 geriatric patients admitted to an ICU with ARF between December 2017- January 2019 in Chest Disease Hospital, were included and classified as survivors and nonsurvivors. Main characteristics, laboratory datas, severity and nutrition scores were evaluated and logistic regression analysis were used.Results:The nonsurvivor group included 110 cases (40% female,) with a median age of 79, had higher scores in the followings; Acute Physiology Chronic Health Evaluation II score (APACHE-II) (p < 0.001), Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) (p < 0.001), Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score (p < 0.001). The inotropic support requirement was also higher in the nonsurvivor group (48,2%). As a comorbidity, malignancy and Type-I respiratory failure were higher in the nonsurvivor group (p=0.03, p < 0.001). The overall 30-day mortality was 46%. Blood urea nitrogen, procalsitonin, C-reactive protein and creatinine levels were higher in the nonsurvivor group (p < 0.001). However, albumin (p < 0.001), BMI (p=0.03) and longer hospital stay (p < 0.001) were higher in the survivor group. Inotropic support, APACHE-II score and CCI were independently related to increased mortality risk, whereas albumin was associated with decreased mortality risk.Conclusion:High APACHE II score, low CCI, low albumin levels and the requirement for inotropic support were found to be independently risk factors of 30-day mortality in the geriatric patients with respiratory failure in ICU.

Assessment of the sedative effects of dexmedetomidine and propofol treatment in patients undergoing mechanical ventilation in the ICU and relationship between treatment and occurrence of ventilator-associated pneumonia and detection of pathogenic bacteria.

The present study aimed to investigate the sedative effects of dexmedetomidine combined with propofol in patients undergoing mechanical ventilation in the intensive care unit (ICU), and to reveal the risk factors of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). A retrospective analysis of 322 patients who had been subject to mechanical ventilation in the ICU ward was performed. Subjects were divided into two groups: A group treated with dexmedetomidine and propofol (combined group) and a group treated with dexmedetomidine alone (monotherapy group). Clinical data, sedative effects, the number of VAP patients and the distribution of VAP pathogens were assessed. Multivariate analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to predict VAP. Significant differences in the sedative effects between the two groups were observed (P<0.001). The incidence of VAP was significantly higher in the monotherapy group compared with the combined group (P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that age, acute physiology chronic health evaluation score, consciousness, invasive operations, recovery time, extubation time and sedation regimen were independent risk factors for VAP in the ICU during mechanical ventilation. ROC curves indicated that the areas under the curve for age, acute physiology chronic health score, consciousness, invasive operations, recovery time, extubation time and sedation regimen were 0.934, 0.870, 0.632, 0.677, 0.865, 0.950 and 0.603, respectively. In summary, dexmedetomidine combined with propofol can shorten the recovery and extubation times of mechanical ventilation patients in the ICU. Different sedation schemes are also independent risk factors for VAP during mechanical ventilation in the ICU.

Association of massive transfusion for resuscitation in gastrointestinal bleeding with transfusion-related acute lung injury

Background and Aims:This study aimed to understand the use of massive transfusion (MT) for gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB).Patients and Methods:We performed a retrospective analysis of patients admitted to our medical Intensive Care Unit (ICU) with GIB for the type of bleeding, quantity of blood products transfused, and risk of transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) and death. MT was defined as transfusion of 10 or more units of red blood cell (RBC) within a 24-h period in a 1-unit RBC: 1-unit fresh frozen plasma: and 1-unit platelet ratio. TRALI was defined as development of acute lung injury (ALI), within 6 h of transfusion, with new bilateral pulmonary infiltrates, absence of circulatory overload, or other explanation for ALI.Results:In a 43-month interval, 169 patients were admitted to the ICU with GIB and received blood products, of whom 13 received MT. Ten patients developed TRALI, of whom 7 (70%) had received MT. MT was associated with an increased risk of TRALI (odds ratio [OR]: 17.9, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.9–111.2, P = 0.002) after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, baseline vitals, and laboratory data. Death was predicted by MT (OR: 5.6, 95% CI: 1.6–19.7, P = 0.007), TRALI (OR: 2.3, 95% CI: 1.1–4.6, P = 0.02), and Acute Physiologic Chronic Health Evaluation II score (OR: 1.17 per unit increase, 95% CI: 1.09–1.26, P < 0.001) after adjusting for age and sex.Conclusions:MT for GIB is associated with an increased risk of TRALI and death. Prospective studies assessing the use of MT in this population are needed to understand and improve outcomes.

Quantifying Physical Activity Levels of Survivors of Intensive Care: A Prospective Observational Study

Promotion of increased physical activity is advocated for survivors of an intensive care unit (ICU) admission to improve physical function and health-related quality of life. The primary aims of this study were: (1) to measure free-living physical activity levels and (2) to correlate the measurements with scores on a self-reported activity questionnaire. A secondary aim was to explore factors associated with physical activity levels. This was a prospective cohort study. Nested within a larger randomized controlled trial, participants were block randomized to measure free-living physical activity levels. Included participants wore an accelerometer for 7 days during waking hours at 2 months after ICU discharge. At completion of the 7 days of monitoring, participants were interviewed using the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE) questionnaire. Factors associated with physical activity were explored using regression analysis. The ICU survivors (median age=59 years, interquartile range=49-66; mean Acute Physiologic Chronic Health Evaluation [APACHE II] score=18, interquartile range=16-21) were inactive when quantitatively measured at 2 months after hospital discharge. Participants spent an average of 90% of the time inactive and only 3% of the time walking. Only 37% of the sample spent 30 minutes or more per day in the locomotion category (more than 20 steps in a row). Activity reported using the PASE questionnaire was lower than that reported in adults who were healthy. The PASE scores correlated only fairly with activity measured by steps per day. The presence of comorbidities explained one third of the variance in physical activity levels. Accelerometer overreading, patient heterogeneity, selection bias, and sample size not reached were limitations of the study. Survivors of an ICU admission greater than 5 days demonstrated high levels of inactivity for prolonged periods at 2 months after ICU discharge, and the majority did not meet international recommendations regarding physical activity. Comorbidity appears to be a promising factor associated with activity levels.

Injúria renal aguda em unidade de terapia intensiva: estudo prospectivo sobre a incidência, fatores de risco e mortalidade

To compare the clinical features and outcomes of patients with and without acute kidney injury in an intensive care unit of a tertiary university hospital and to identify acute kidney injury and mortality risk factors. This was a prospective observational study of a cohort including 564 patients followed during their stay in the intensive care unit of Hospital das Clinicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu (Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil) between May 2008 and May 2010. Patients were allocated to two different groups: with (G1) and without (G2) acute kidney injury. The incidence of acute kidney injury was 25.5%. The groups were different with respect to the reason for admission to the intensive care unit (sepsis, G1: 41.6% versus G2: 24.1%; P < 0.0001; neurosurgery, postoperative G1: 13.8% versus G2: 38.1%; P < 0.0001); age (G1: 56.8 ± 15.9 vs. G2: 49.8 ± 17.8 years; P < 0.0001); Acute Physiological Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score (G1: 21.9 ± 6.9 versus G2: 14.1 ± 4.6; P < 0.0001); use of mechanical ventilation (G1: 89.2% vs. G2: 69.1%; P < 0.0001) and use of vasoactive drugs (G1: 78.3% vs. G2: 56.1%; P < 0.0001). Higher rates of diabetes mellitus, congestive heart failure, chronic renal disease and use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were more frequent in acute kidney injury patients (28.2% vs. 19.7%, P = 0.03; 23.6 vs. 11.6%, P = 0.0002; 21.5% vs. 11.5%, P < 0.0001 and 23.5% vs. 71.%, P < 0.0001, for G1 versus G2, respectively). Length of hospital stay and mortality were also higher for acute kidney injury patients (G1: 6.6 ± 2.7 days versus G2: 12.9 ±5.6 days, P < 0.0001 and G1: 62.5% versus G2: 16.4%, P < 0.0001). Multivariate analysis identified the following as risk factors for acute kidney injury: age above 55 years, APACHE II score above 16, baseline creatinine above 1.2 and use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (odds ratio (OR) = 1.36, 95% confidence interval (95%CI): 1.22 - 1.85; OR = 1.2, 95%CI: 1.11 - 1.33; OR = 5.2, 95%CI: 2.3 - 11.6 and OR = 2.15, 95%CI: 1.1 - 4.2, respectively). Acute kidney injury was independently associated with longer hospital stay and increased mortality (OR = 1.18, 95%CI: 1.05 - 1.26 and OR = 1.24, 95%CI: 1.09 - 1.99, respectively). Analysis of the survival curve 30 days after admission showed 83.3% mortality for acute kidney injury patients and 45.2% for non-acute kidney injury patients (P < 0.0001). The incidence of acute kidney injury was high in this intensive care unit; the independent risk factors associated with acute kidney injury were age > 55 years, APACHE II > 16, baseline serum creatinine > 1.2 and use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Acute kidney injury is an independent risk factor for longer intensive care unit stay and mortality.

Profile and Outcome of Patients With Liver Cirrhosis Requiring Mechanical Ventilation

Few studies have addressed the outcome of patients with cirrhosis requiring mechanical ventilation (MV). We aimed to investigate the short-term outcome of such patients. Retrospective review of data of 73 consecutive patients with cirrhosis requiring MV over a 2-year period (2006-2008). Data on patient's characteristics, reason for MV, the presence of other organ failure, and first day Acute Physiology Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA), Child-Pugh (CP), and Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) scores were collected, with 30-day mortality being the primary outcome measure. Observed mortality in ICU and at 30 days was 75.3% and 87.7%, respectively. Area under curve was 0.77 (95% CI, 0.65-0.86) for APACHE II, 0.94 (95% CI, 0.85-0.98) for SOFA, 0.83 (95% CI, 0.7-0.96) for CP, and 0.93 (95% CI, 0.85-0.98) for MELD (P = .096) in predicting 30-day mortality. By univariate analysis, indication for intubation (P = .001), need for vasopressor support (P = .002), the presence of renal failure (P < .03), and duration of MV (P < .001) were significantly associated with mortality. On multivariate analysis, only duration of MV (adjusted odds ratio 0.63, 95% CI: 0.42-0.95, P = .03) was the independent predictor of mortality with a majority of patients, 51/64 (79.7%), dying in the first 48 hours of intubation. Patients with cirrhosis requiring MV have a dismal prognosis. Such patients and their families should be informed about the overall outcome to assist their decisions about life support and intensive care, outside the transplant setting. Prognostic scores, especially SOFA and MELD, may aid in determining which patients may benefit from aggressive therapy.

Pacientes com infecção por vírus A (H1N1) admitidos em unidades de terapia intensiva do Estado do Paraná, Brasil

This study aimed to analyze outcome, clinical and epidemiological characteristics and severity factors in adult patients admitted with a diagnosis of infection by virus A (H1N1) to public and private intensive care units, in Paraná, Brazil. Cohort study of medical charts of patients older than 12 years admitted to 11 intensive care units in 6 cities in the state of Parana, Brazil, during a period of 45 days, with diagnosis of swine influenza. The diagnosis of infection with A (H1N1) was made by real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) of nasopharyngeal secretion, or strong clinical suspicion when other causes had been ruled out (even with negative RT-PCR). Descriptive statistics were performed, analysis by the Chi square test was used to compare percentages and the Student's t test for continuous variables with univariate analysis, assuming a significance level of p <0.05. There were 63 adult patients admitted with a diagnosis of H1N1, 37 (58.7%) being RT-PCR positive. Most patients were young adults (65% under 40 years of age) with no gender predominance and high incidence of obesity (27.0% with Body Mass Index > 30). Mean of the Acute Physiologic Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score was 15.0 + 8.1. Mortality in the intensive care unit was 39.7%. The main factors associated with mortality were: positive RT-PCR, low levels of initial PaO2/FiO2, high initial levels of urea and lactate dehydrogenase, required level of positive end expiratory pressure, need for the prone position and vasopressors. Adult patients with A (H1N1) virus infection admitted to intensive care units had a high risk of death, particularly due to respiratory impairment. Positive RT-PCR, urea and lactic dehydrogenase, low initial PaO2/FiO2 and high levels of PEEP were correlated with higher mortality.

Função renal de pacientes de unidade de terapia intensiva: creatinina plasmática e proteína carreadora do retinol urinário

The early assessment of renal dysfunction using common markers does not provide either a sensitive or specific indication of renal dysfunction in critically ill patients. More specific and sensitive markers are desirable for the early detection of an initial renal pathophysiological process. Urinary retinol-binding protein could be an alternative method to early evaluation of renal function in these patients. This study followed-up 100 critical care patients and assessed their clinical and laboratory variables, including plasma creatinine and urinary retinol-binding ratio, and demographic variables. The sample was characterized by geriatric (63.4±15.6 years), male (68%), being 53% surgical patients. Statistical analysis showed association between plasma creatinine and the following variables: gender (p-0.026), age (p-0.038), use of vasoactive drugs (p-0.003), proteinuria (p-0.025), Acute Physiological Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score (p-0.000), urea (p-0.000), potassium (p-0.003) and estimated creatinine clearance (p-0.000). Urinary retinol-binding protein was correlated with more variables: weight, use of invasive ventilation (p-0.000), use of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (p-0.018), use of vasoactive drugs (p-0.021), high temperature (>37.5ºC) (p-0.005), proteinuria (p-0.000), bilirubinuria (p-0.004), urinary flow (p-0.019), minimal diastolic pressure (p-0.032), minimal systolic pressure (p-0.029), APACHE II (p-0.000), creatinine (p-0.001), urea (p-0.001), estimated creatinine clearance (p-0.000). Urinary retinol-binding protein also tended to associate with previous renal disease, vasculopathy and neoplasm. Sodium excretion fraction correlated with plasma creatinine and urinary retinol-binding protein in univariate analysis. Urinary retinol-binding protein might be considered in clinical practice as a better marker regarding diagnostic performance in patients at risk of developing acute kidney injury, when compared with other markers routinely used. Moreover, urinary retinol-binding protein has other features of a good diagnostic test - it is a practical and non-invasive method.

Open Repair for Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: Is It Possible to Predict Survival?

The aim of the study was to determine variables that could be used to predict survival in patients with ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (RAAA) and to assess the accuracy of the Glasgow Aneurysm Score (GAS) and the Acute Physiology Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE-II). From January 1998 to July 2006, 103 patients underwent operations for RAAA. For each patient, 44 variables were retrospectively recorded in a database. Data were analyzed with univariate and multivariate methods. In the univariate analysis significant predictors of death were hypotension (p=0.001), preexisting peripheral vascular disease (p<0.001), renal insufficiency (p=0.037), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (p=0.028), level of HCO(3)(-) (p<0.001), intraperitoneal rupture (p=0.001), blood transfused (p<0.001), cardiac complications (p<0.001), and APACHE-II score (p=0.001). Multivariate analysis confirmed statistical significance for coexisting peripheral vascular disease (p<0.001), diastolic blood pressure at admission <60 mm Hg (p=0.039), APACHE-II score >18.5 (p=0.025), HCO(3)(-) <21 mg/dL (p<0.001), and intraperitoneal rupture of the aneurysm (p=0.011) as predictors of death. Results of the study suggested that different factors can be helpful in identifying those patients whose operative risk is prohibitive. APACHE-II, contrary to GAS, is an accurate system to predict postoperative death after repair for RAAA.

Hospital costs in patients receiving prolonged mechanical ventilation: does age have an impact?

The aging of the population is one of the causes of the increase in healthcare costs in the past few decades. It is controversial whether chronological age alone should be used in making healthcare decisions. To determine the association between age and hospital costs in patients receiving mechanical ventilation (MV). Prospective, observational study. Intensive care units at a teaching hospital. A total of 813 adults who received prolonged (> or =48 hrs) mechanical ventilation. None. Severity of illness, comorbidities, length of stay, hospital costs, and mortality. We evaluated the independent association of age with hospital costs using linear regression. Mean (+/-sd) age of patients was 60.4 +/- 18.8 yrs. Median Acute Physiology Chronic Health Evaluation III score and probability of hospital death at intensive care unit admission were 64 and 0.31, respectively. Hospital mortality was 36%. Median total hospital costs and daily costs were $ 56,056 and $2,655 US dollars, respectively. Older age was associated with lower total hospital costs after controlling for sex, intensive care unit type, severity of illness, length of stay, insurance type, resuscitation status, and survival. Hospital costs were significantly less in older patients in all cost departments examined, except for respiratory care and intensive care unit room costs. Daily and total hospital costs were lower in older patients. Decreased hospital resource use in older patients may be related to a preference for less aggressive care by older patients and their families or by healthcare providers.

Use of adsorptive mechanisms in continuous renal replacement therapies in the critically ill

Use of adsorptive mechanisms in continuous renal replacement therapies in the critically ill