Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System Research Articles

An Updated Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System for Critically Ill Children Enables Nursing Workload Assessment With Insight Into Potential Untoward Events

To introduce an updated version of the original Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System (TISS) applicable to critically ill children (TISS-C). This version was designed to assess patient acuity and nursing workload (NW) and to determine a relationship between such assessment and the incidence of adverse events. Reviewing previous versions of TISS, an updated TISS-C was developed. Items inapplicable to pediatric critical care were eliminated; items current to critical care were added; and items still valid were edited. The point system accounts for the wide range of care provided. Random patients from a predetermined period had TISS-C scores calculated. The TISS-C scores were also calculated on patients with documented adverse events. Baseline scores were compared with scores of patients in whom adverse events had occurred. We determined the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) NW to be the product of the TISS-C score and the patient-nurse ratio (PNR). One hundred twenty-five random patients had a mean TISS-C of 14.6 ± 11.8. Patients with any adverse event (98) had a TISS-C of 19.9 ± 11.6 (P < .05). Using our PICU mean PNR of 1.4 (20 patients/14 nurses), the NW for patients with more severe events was 33.6 ± 15.9. Critically ill pediatric patients are more vulnerable to experience adverse events when their derived NW values are high. It is postulated that a critical NW exists, where adverse events are more likely to occur.

Nursing Activities Score and workload in the intensive care unit of a university hospital.

ObjectiveThe nursing workload consists of the time spent by the nursing staff to perform the activities for which they are responsible, whether directly or indirectly related to patient care. The aim of this study was to evaluate the nursing workload in an adult intensive care unit at a university hospital using the Nursing Activities Score (NAS) instrument.MethodsA longitudinal, prospective study that involved the patients admitted to the intensive care unit of a university hospital between March and December 2008. The data were collected daily to calculate the NAS, the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE II), the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) and the Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System (TISS-28) of patients until they left the adult intensive care unit or after 90 days of hospitalization. The level of significance was set at 5%.ResultsIn total, 437 patients were evaluated, which resulted in an NAS of 74.4%. The type of admission, length of stay in the intensive care unit and the patients’ condition when leaving the intensive care unit and hospital were variables associated with differences in the nursing workload. There was a moderate correlation between the mean NAS and APACHE II severity score (r=0.329), the mean organic dysfunction SOFA score (r=0.506) and the mean TISS-28 score (r=0.600).ConclusionWe observed a high nursing workload in this study. These results can assist in planning the size of the staff required. The workload was influenced by clinical characteristics, including an increased workload required for emergency surgical patients and patients who died.

Use of scores to calculate the nursing workload in a pediatric intensive care unit

ObjectiveTo assess the performance of the Nursing Activities Score in a pediatric intensive care unit, compare its scores expressed as time spent on nursing activities to the corresponding ones calculated using the Simplified Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System, and correlate the results obtained by both instruments with severity, morbidity and mortality.MethodsProspective, observational, and analytical cohort study conducted at a type III general pediatric intensive care unit. The study participants were all the children aged 29 days to 12 years admitted to the investigated pediatric intensive care unit from August 2008 to February 2009.ResultsA total of 545 patients were studied, which corresponded to 2,951 assessments. The average score of the Simplified Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System was 28.79±10.37 (915±330 minutes), and that of the Nursing Activities Score was 55.6±11.82 (802±161 minutes). The number of minutes that resulted from the conversion of the Simplified Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System score was higher compared to that resulting from the Nursing Activities Score for all the assessments (p<0.001). The correlation between the instruments was significant, direct, positive, and moderate (R=0.564).ConclusionsThe agreement between the investigated instruments was satisfactory, and both instruments also exhibited satisfactory discrimination of mortality; for that purpose, the best cutoff point was 16 nursing hours/patient day.

Serum and Urinary NGAL in Septic Newborns

Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is postulated to be a potentially new and highly specific/sensitive marker of acute kidney injury (AKI). The aim of this study was to assess the impact of inflammation on serum and urine NGAL in newborns that were treated due to infection. We determined serum and urine NGAL concentrations in 73 infants (51 with sepsis; 22 with severe sepsis) admitted to the Intensive Care Unit in the first month of life, for three consecutive days during the course of treatment for infection. 29 neonates without infection served as the control group. Septic patients, in particular, severe sepsis patients, had increased serum and urinary NGAL levels in the three subsequent days of observation. Five septic patients who developed AKI had elevated serum and urinary NGAL values to a similar extent as septic neonates without AKI. A strong correlation was found between the concentration of serum and urinary NGAL and inflammatory markers, such as CRP and procalcitonin. Serum and urinary NGAL levels were also significantly associated with NTISS (neonatal therapeutic intervention scoring system) values. We conclude that increased serum and urinary NGAL values are not solely a marker of AKI, and more accurately reflect the severity of inflammatory status.

Patient Outcomes Can Be Associated With Organizational Changes

We report the results of a university surgical intensive care (SICU), which are influenced by a reorganization of the department because of a downsizing of beds with the corresponding reduction of personnel resulting in a decrease in nurse-to-bed ratio. Moreover, we report the subsequent interventions and adjustments resulting in favorable results. We performed a prospective observational cohort study of all consecutive surgical patients entering the SICU of our hospital, over the period 2000-2004. In order to meet the budget cuts, a reduction of number of SICU beds with a corresponding reduction of nursing staff was implemented. In the subsequent period culminating on the year 2002, collaboration problems arose between medical and nursing staff: resulting in fierce discussions on the floor. Supported through external mediators, structures/work ethics/communication/collaborative behavior, and organization of the SICU were reviewed and restructured. A total of 1477 patients were admitted to the SICU. The characteristics, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score and therapeutic intervention scoring system points, were not different throughout the years. The intensive care unit-length of stay (ICU-LOS) in the admission year 2002 was significantly longer (P = .001) and the crude ICU mortality was higher (P = .02) compared with the 2 admission years before. The adjusted mortality (ICU standardized mortality ratio) was also worse in 2002, however, statistically not different. After the intervention (2003 and 2004), a better result (crude ICU mortality, length of ICU stay, and ICU standardized mortality ratio) was achieved. Intensive care reorganization, in which higher workload is seen in medical and nursing staff, could have a negative effect on ICU outcome and length of ICU stay. Interventions in ICU structures, communication, work ethics, and organization have a positive impact in conflict management.

Do we spend less on older critically ill patients? Relationship among intensity of care, severity of illness and mortality

The Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System (TISS-28) quantifies the type and number of intensive care treatments; therefore, it indicates the workload of ICU and may be used for calculating costs [1]. A previous cohort study [2] demonstrated that seriously ill older patients receive fewer invasive procedures and less resource-intensive hospital care, showing a preferential allocation of hospital services to younger patients regardless of severity of illness. The objective of this study is also to compare resource utilization across different ages of critically ill patients in an open model, mixed ICU.

Efficacy of ventilator-associated pneumonia care bundle for prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia in the surgical intensive care units of a medical center

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is one of the most serious treatment-related infections resulting in high mortalities and costs. Our hospital has implemented bundle care in the intensive care units (ICUs) with special focus on VAP prevention. This is a retrospective study to evaluate its efficacy. We implemented a six-item VAP care bundle modified from that of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement at five surgical ICUs (SICUs) in the National Taiwan University Hospital. A multidisciplinary teamwork was involved in this bundle care. This study analyses the SICU utilization, ventilator utilization, and VAP incidence between January 2006 and March 2013 to assess the impact of VAP bundle in a clinical setting. A total of 28,454 SICU patients were analyzed in this study and patients under the age of 18 were excluded (n = 1329); eventually, 27,125 patients were enrolled, with 12,913 patients from the pre-VAP bundle phase and 14,212 from the post-VAP bundle phase. Patients from the post-VAP phase tended to be older (p = 0.024) and with shorter SICU stay (p = 0.006), and disease severity scores (Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System, Glasgow Coma Scale, and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score) were lower in the post-VAP bundle phase (p < 0.001), except the Injury Severity Score (p = 0.729). In response to VAP bundle interventions, no difference in SICU utilization (p = 0.982) between the pre-VAP and post-VAP bundle phases was noted, whereas the ventilator utilization was significantly decreased, from 1148.5 ventilator days to 956.1 ventilator days (p < 0.001) monthly; the VAP density had remarkably decreased from 3.3 to 1.4 cases per 1000 ventilator days (p < 0.001). Implementation of VAP bundle care decreases the incidence of VAP at SICU. Multidisciplinary teamwork, education, and a comprehensive checklist to improve health-care workers' compliance are the keys to success.

Correlation between the TISS‐28 and NEMS indicators in an intensive care unit

Cross-sectional study aimed to analyse and compare the correlation between the Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System (TISS)-28 and Nine Equivalents of Nursing Manpower Use (NEMS) indicators with a sample of 725 patients, for which data was collected from the computerized system of a university hospital. The findings of the present study well demonstrated a strong correlation between the TISS-28 and NEMS, both at the time of patient admission and discharge (0.888 and 0.885; P < 0.001), although there is a dispersion of 21% in the data and established cut-off points to discriminate with greater power the death and no death scenarios. Further research is still necessary to confirm the possibility of replacing the TISS-28 scoring instrument with NEMS.

The use of dexmedetomidine in intensive care sedation

The goals and recommendations for ICU (Intensive Care Unit) patients’ sedation and analgesia should be to have adequately sedated patients who are calm and arousal, so that they can guarantee a proper evaluation and an adequate control of pain. This way, it is also possible to perform their neurological evaluation, preserving intellectual faculties and helping them in actively participating to their care. Dexmedetomidine is a selective alpha-2 receptor agonist, member of theraputical cathegory: “other hypnotics and sedatives” (ATC: N05CM18). Dexmedetomidine is recommended for the sedation of adult ICU patients who need a sedation level not deeper than arousal in response to verbal stimulation (corresponding to Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale 0 to -3). After the EMA approval, some European government authorities have elaborated HTA on dexmedetomidine, based on clinical evidence derived from Prodex and Midex trials. Dexmedetomidine resulted to be as effective as propofol and midazolam in maintaining the target depth of sedation in ICU patients. The mean duration of mechanical ventilation with dexmedetomidine was numerically shorter than with propofol and significantly shorter than with midazolam. The resulting favourable economic profile of dexmedetomidine supported the clinical use in ICU. Dexmedetomidine seems to provide clinical benefits due to the reduction of mechanical ventilation and ventilator weaning duration. Within the present review, an economic analysis of costs associated to the use of dexmedetomidine was therefore performed also in the Italian care setting. Thus, four different analyses were carried out based on the quantification of the total number of days in ICU, the time spent on mechanical ventilation, the weighted average number of days with mechanical ventilation or not and TISS points (Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System). Despite the incremental cost for drug therapy associated with dexmedetomidine, a reduction of the management costs for ICU has been estimated, with savings ranging between € 800 and € 1,400 per patient.

Validação Concorrente de Escores de Enfermagem (NEMS e TISS-28) em terapia intensiva pediátrica

OBJETIVO: Examinar a validade concorrente do escore Nine Equivalents of Nursing Manpower Use Score (NEMS) em comparação ao Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System-28 (TISS-28) em uma Unidade de Terapia Intensiva Pediátrica (UTIP). MÉTODOS: Estudo de coorte prospectivo observacional, realizado na UTIP de um hospital universitário brasileiro, no período de dois anos, com uma amostra de 816 pacientes. Foram realizadas 7.702 observações de cada um dos escores. RESULTADOS: A média da pontuação máxima do NEMS foi 26,6±9,2 e do TISS-28 21,3±8,2. Em todas as médias, o TISS-28 foi inferior ao NEMS (p&lt;0,001). Houve uma boa correlação entre eles (r²=0,704 para todas as observações). A concordância entre o TISS-28 e o NEMS foi boa, apresentando apenas 6,2% de diferença entre os escores. CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados mostraram boa correlação e concordância entre o TISS-28 e o NEMS, permitindo validar o NEMS nessa população de pacientes pediátricos.

Economic analysis of costs associated with a Respiratory Intensive Care Unit in a tertiary care teaching hospital in Northern India

Background:There is a paucity of cost analytical studies from resource constrained developing countries defining intensive care costs and their containment.Objective:Economic analysis of costs in a Respiratory Intensive Care Unit (RICU) of a tertiary care teaching hospital in northern India.Materials and Methods:A prospective study was conducted in 74 patients admitted in the RICU. Costs were segregated into fixed and variable costs. Total and categorized costs averaged per day and costs incurred on the first day of the RICU stay were calculated. Correlation of the costs was performed with the length of stay, length of mechanical ventilation, survival, and therapeutic intervention scoring system-28 (TISS-28).Results:The total cost per day was Indian rupees (INR) 10,364 (US $ 222). 46.4% of the total cost was borne by hospital and rest by patients. The mean cost represented 36.8% of the total cost and 69.8% of the variable cost. Expenditure on personnel salary constituted 37% of the total costs and 86% of the fixed cost. Length of stay in RICU was significantly higher in nonsurvivors (14.73 ± 13.6 days) vs. survivors (8.3 ± 7.8 days) (P < 0.05). The TISS-28 score points in survivors was 30.6 vs. nonsurvivors 69.2 per nurse (P < 0.05) correlating strongly with the total cost (r = 0.91).Conclusion:Although considerably less expensive than in economically developed countries, intensive care in India remains expensive relative to the cost of living. The cost block methodology provides a framework for cost estimation, aids resource allocation and allows international comparisons of economic models.

Yoğun Bakım Hastalarında Yoğun İnsülin Tedavisi İle Kan Șekerinin Sıkı Kontrolünün Mortalite Ve Morbiditeye Etkileri

Amaç: Bu çalıșma, yoğun bakım (YB) hastalarında sürekli insülin infüzyonu ile kan șekerinin sıkı kontrolünün mortalite, morbidite ve immün paraliziye etkilerini araștırmak amacı ile planlandı. Materyal ve Metod: Bu prospektif, randomize ve kontrollü çalıșmaya YB’a kabul edilen hasta veya birinci derece yakınlarından onam alınan toplam 20 hasta dahil edildi. Hastalar YB’ye kabulden sonra randomize olarak, Yoğun İnsülin Tedavisi (YİT) veya Geleneksel İnsülin Tedavisi (GİT) gruplarından birine alındı. Her iki gruba 10’ar hasta dahil edildi. Sürekli insülin infüzyonu ile YİT grubunda kan șekeri 80-110 mg/dL, GİT grubunda 180-200 mg/dL arasında tutuldu. Hastalar YB’ye kabul edildikten sonra günlük APACHE II (Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II, Akut Fizyoloji ve Kronik Sağlık Değerlendirmesi) ve TISS 28 (Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System, Tedavi Amaçlı Girișim Skorlama Sistemi) skorlamaları yapıldı. Kabul, 5, 14 ve 28’inci günde tam kan ve biyokimyasal analizler yapıldı, C-reaktif protein (CRP) ve akım sitometri yöntemi ile monositik HLA-DR düzeyi saptandı. Yoğun bakım ve hastanede kalma süreleri ile olası mortalite nedeni ve zamanı kaydedildi. İstatiksel analizde Mann Whitney U Testi ve Chi-Square Testi kullanıldı ve p

Predictive validity of the Manchester Triage System: evaluation of outcomes of patients admitted to an emergency department

to assess the predictive validity of the Manchester Triage System implemented in a municipal hospital in Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil. cohort prospective and analytical study. The sample of 300 patients was stratified by color groups. The outcome measured was the scores, obtained by patients in each classification group in the Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System--28, 24 hours after admission to the emergency department. A total of 172 (57%) patients were men and the average age of all patients was 57.3 years old. The median score concerning the severity of their conditions was 6.5 points in the yellow group, 11.5 in the orange group, and 22 points in the red group. Statistically significant differences were found among the three groups (p<0.001). the data confirm that the conditions of patients within the color groups progressed at different levels of severity.

Uso de medicamentos off-label e não licenciados em unidade de tratamento intensivo neonatal e sua associação com escores de gravidade

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the frequency of unlicensed (UL) and off-label (OL) prescriptions in neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of a tertiary care hospital and to determine their association with patients' severity. METHODS: Observational cohort study including drugs prescribed during hospitalization of neonates over a 6-week period between July and August 2011. The drugs were classified as UL and OL for dose, frequency, presentation, age group, or indication, according to an electronic list of drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Patients were followed until hospital discharge or 31 days of hospitalization, with daily records of the Neonatal Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System (NTISS). RESULTS: We identified 318 prescription items for 61 patients (average of five items/patient); there were only 13 patients with appropriate use of medications (21%). A prevalence of 7.5% was identified for UL prescriptions and 27.7% for OL, and the most prevalent OL use was that related to age group - 19.5%. Fifty-seven medications were computed - one patient received 10 UL/OL drugs during hospitalization. The prevalence of OL uses was higher in preterm infants < 35 weeks and in those with higher severity scores (p = 0.00). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of neonates exposed to UL/OL drugs during hospitalization was high, especially for those with higher NTISS scores. Although there is general appreciation that neonates, especially preterm infants, have a high rate of drug use, an assessment including different cultures and countries is still needed to prioritize areas for future research in the pharmacotherapy of this vulnerable population.

Use of off-label and unlicensed drugs in the neonatal intensive care unit and its association with severity scores

To analyze the frequency of unlicensed (UL) and off-label (OL) prescriptions in neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of a tertiary care hospital and to determine their association with patients' severity. Observational cohort study including drugs prescribed during hospitalization of neonates over a 6-week period between July and August 2011. The drugs were classified as UL and OL for dose, frequency, presentation, age group, or indication, according to an electronic list of drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Patients were followed until hospital discharge or 31 days of hospitalization, with daily records of the Neonatal Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System (NTISS). We identified 318 prescription items for 61 patients (average of five items/patient); there were only 13 patients with appropriate use of medications (21%). A prevalence of 7.5% was identified for UL prescriptions and 27.7% for OL, and the most prevalent OL use was that related to age group - 19.5%. Fifty-seven medications were computed - one patient received 10 UL/OL drugs during hospitalization. The prevalence of OL uses was higher in preterm infants < 35 weeks and in those with higher severity scores (p = 0.00). The prevalence of neonates exposed to UL/OL drugs during hospitalization was high, especially for those with higher NTISS scores. Although there is general appreciation that neonates, especially preterm infants, have a high rate of drug use, an assessment including different cultures and countries is still needed to prioritize areas for future research in the pharmacotherapy of this vulnerable population.

822 Describing the Use of Neonatal Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System in a University Hospital in Brazil - A Pilot Study

Background and AimsThe Neonatal Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System (NTISS) is an index of intensity of use of technologies with significant association to mortality risk. We intended to analyze this score...

Is There a Starling Curve for Intensive Care?

Large differences exist in the provision of ICU beds worldwide, with a complicated mix of risks and benefits to the population of having either too few or too many beds. Having too few beds can result in delayed admission of patients to the ICU or no admission at all, with either scenario potentially increasing mortality. Potential societal benefits of having few beds include lower costs for health care and less futile intensive care at the end of life. With added ICU beds for a population, mortality benefit should accrue, but there is still the question of whether the addition of beds always means that more lives will be saved or whether there is a point at which no additional mortality benefit is gained. With an abundance of ICU beds may come the possibility of increasing harm in the forms of unnecessary costs, poor quality of deaths (ie, excessively intensive), and iatrogenic complications. The possibility of harm may be likened to the concept of falling off a Starling curve, which is traditionally used to describe worsening heart function when overfilling occurs. This commentary examines the possible implications of having too few or too many ICU beds and proposes the concept of a family of Starling curves as a way to conceptualize the balance of societal benefits and harms associated with different availability of ICU beds for a population.

Determining delirium and risk factors of patients in cardiovascular surgery intensive care unit

Background: This study aims to determine delirium and risk factors in patients in cardiovascular surgery intensive care unit (ICU). Methods: The study included 55 patients who were hospitalized in the cardiovascular surgery ICU of a university hospital. Between March 2008 and April 2009, the study data were collected using the patient information form prepared by the researchers, confusion evaluation method in ICU, Glasgow coma scale (CKS), Richmond agitation sedation scale (RASS), acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE II) and simplified therapeutic intervention scoring system (TISS-28). Data were analyzed with chi-square, Fischer exact chi-square, t-test, and Mann-Whitney U-test. Results: Delirium occurred in 18.2% (n=10) of the patients. Eighty percent of the patients in which delirium developed had hypoactive type. The points of APACHE II, RASS, TISS-28 among ICU scores increased in the group with delirium. The mortality rate of the patients with delirium was higher compared to the patients without delirium. However, the difference was statistically significant. The length of stay in the ICU was also longer for the patients with delirium. Conclusion: Delirium is a more common pathology than estimated in cardiovascular surgery intensive care patients, particularly presenting with hypoactive type. Nurses have important roles and responsibilities in determining the signs of delirium in patients in the ICU in early stages. Therefore, educating nurses on using delirium assessment scales is essential for the safety of patients and increasing quality of care.

Risk prediction using a neonatal therapeutic intervention scoring system in VLBW and ELBW preterm infants

The Neonatal Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System (NTISS) is a therapy-based severity-of-illness index, The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether: (i) NTISS can predict the severity of illness with the same accuracy both in very low-birthweight (VLBW) and extremely low-birthweight (ELBW) infants, using all parameters; and (ii) the performance of NTISS can be increased by using only the significant variables. All inborns <1500 g, and all outborns <1500 g transferred in the first 12 h of postnatal life, were included. NTISS using 63 variables was assessed for all infants at the 24th hour. Predictive performance for the overall variables was assessed using area under the curve (AUC) for group 1 (500-1499 g), 2 (1000-1499 g) and 3 (500-999 g). Variables with good prediction were identified for each group and a second AUC was assessed using only sensitive variables. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve area for all variables was compared with the ROC area for sensitive variables. A total of 364 preterm infants fulfilled the eligibility criteria. The AUC of groups 1, 2 and 3 with all variables were 0.851; 0.834 and 0.749, respectively. The number of parameters with good prediction was 33 in group 1, 30 in group 2 and 18 in group 3. The AUC for sensitive variables was 0.848 in group 1; 0.821 in group 2 and 0.823 in group 3. When compared, increase in the description of outcome was significant only for group 3 patients (P = 0.02). NTISS using all parameters seems to be less predictive in ELBW infants. It is probably related to the use of some interventions, done as a routine procedure in almost all ELBW preterm infants, therefore NTISS may be modified according to birthweight in order to obtain a more sensitive prediction.

The impact of organ dysfunction in cirrhosis: Survival at a cost?

The incidence of cirrhosis and subsequent development of organ dysfunction (OD) requiring intensive care unit (ICU) support is rising. Historically, critically ill cirrhotics are perceived as having poor prognosis and substantial cost of care. The aim was to prospectively analyse resource utilisation and cost of a large cohort of patients (n=660) admitted to a Liver ICU from 2000 to 2007 with cirrhosis and OD. Child Pugh, MELD, SOFA, APACHE II, and organ support requirements were collected. The Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System (TISS) score, a validated tool for estimating cost in ICU, was calculated daily. Logistic regression was used to determine independent predictors of increased cost. Alcohol was the most common etiology (47%) and variceal bleeding (VB) the most common reason for admission (35%). Invasive ventilatory support was required in 74% of cases, vasopressors in 49%, and 50% required renal replacement therapy. Forty-nine per cent of non-transplanted patients survived to ICU discharge. Median TISS score and ICU cost per patient were 261 and €14,139, respectively. VB patients had the highest survival rates (53% vs. 24%; p<0.001) and lower associated cost. A combination of VB (OR 0.48), need for ventilation (OR 2.81), low PO(2)/FiO(2) on admission (OR 0.97), and lactate (OR 0.93) improved cost prediction on multivariate analysis (AUROC 0.7; p<0.001) but organ failure scores per se were poor predictors of cost. Patients with cirrhosis and OD result in considerable resource expenditure but have acceptable hospital survival. Further health economic assessment and outcome prediction tools are required to appropriately target resource utilisation.