Utilization Of Critical Care Services Research Articles

Development of a population-level prediction model for intensive care unit (ICU) survivorship and mortality in older adults: A population-based cohort study.

Given the growing utilization of critical care services by an aging population, development of population-level risk models which predict intensive care unit (ICU) survivorship and mortality may offer advantages for researchers and health systems. Our objective was to develop a risk model for ICU survivorship and mortality among community dwelling older adults. This was a population-based cohort study of 48,127 patients who were 50 years and older with at least one primary care visit between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2017. We used electronic health record (EHR) data to identify variables predictive of ICU survivorship. ICU admission and mortality within 2 years after index primary care visit date were used to divide patients into three groups of "alive without ICU admission", "ICU survivors,"and "death." Multinomial logistic regression was used to identify EHR predictive variables for the three patient outcomes. Cross-validation by randomly splitting the data into derivation and validation data sets (60:40 split) was used to identify predictor variables and validate model performance using area under the receiver operating characteristics (AUC) curve. In our overall sample, 92.2% of patients were alive without ICU admission, 6.2% were admitted to the ICU at least once and survived, and 1.6% died. Greater deciles of age over 50 years, diagnoses of chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder or chronic heart failure, and laboratory abnormalities in alkaline phosphatase, hematocrit, and albumin contributed highest risk score weights for mortality. Risk scores derived from the model discriminated between patients that died versus remained alive without ICU admission (AUC = 0.858), and between ICU survivors versus alive without ICU admission (AUC = 0.765). Our risk scores provide a feasible and scalable tool for researchers and health systems to identify patient cohorts at increased risk for ICU admission and survivorship. Further studies are needed to prospectively validate the risk scores in other patient populations.

959: TRACHEOSTOMY IN PEDIATRIC ONCOLOGY AND HEMATOPOIETIC STEM CELL TRANSPLANT POPULATIONS

Introduction: Children with oncologic diagnoses and those who undergo hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) have infrequent but high intensity utilization of critical care services, including need for prolonged mechanical ventilation (MV). While tracheostomy has been shown to be a safe procedure with increasing incidence in other pediatric populations, there is no overall consensus on optimal timing, patient selection, or relative contraindications. This study describes the HSCT and oncology cohorts from multiple pediatric centers who underwent tracheostomy. Methods: The Pediatric Health information System database (2009-2020) was used for a retrospective, descriptive cohort study of all patients with an oncologic diagnosis and/or SCT code and underwent tracheotomy. Results: 1,061 patients were included, 217 (20%) of whom had undergone HSCT. The annual incidence in tracheostomy did not change significantly over the study period. The majority (62%) underwent tracheostomy early (< 30 days) in the admission. Complications reported included tracheostomy site bleeding (< 1%) and infection (24%). The overall rate of MV at discharge was 26% and was significantly associated with preexisting chronic lung disease (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 2.1; 95% CI 1.19- 3.7), and acute lung disease ([OR] 1.63; 95% CI 1.12-2.35). Those who underwent the procedure late (>90 days) had a significant increase in MV at discharge (52% vs 25%, p< 0.001) and in hospital mortality (53% vs 18%, p< 0.001) compared to the early subgroup. The overall rate of mortality was 28% within the cohort and significantly associated with HSCT ([OR] 2.04; 95% CI 1.17- 3.56), diagnosis of sepsis ([OR] 2.09; 95% CI 1.36- 3.19), and requirement for renal replacement therapy ([OR] 2.86; 95% CI 1.71- 4.79). Conclusions: This is the first study describing pediatric oncology and HSCT patients who undergo tracheostomy. Despite implicit concerns for immunocompromised or thrombocytopenic status, complication rates are not disproportionate. Significantly higher need for MV at discharge and mortality, however, is seen in patients who undergo the procedure late in a hospitalization, with certain chronic conditions. and other ICU specific comorbidities. Further understanding of this vulnerable cohort, however, is needed to inform timing and patient selection.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on critical care utilization in Japan: a nationwide inpatient database study

BackgroundThe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has disrupted critical care services worldwide. Examining how critical care systems responded to the COVID-19 pandemic on a national level will be useful in setting future critical care plans. The present study aimed to describe the utilization of critical care services before and during the COVID-19 pandemic using a nationwide Japanese inpatient administrative database.MethodsAll patients admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) or a high-dependency care unit (HDU) from February 9, 2019, to February 8, 2021, in the Japanese Diagnosis Procedure Combination inpatient database were included. February 9, 2020, was used as the breakpoint separating the periods before and during COVID-19 pandemic. Hospital and patient characteristics were compared before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Change in ICU and HDU bed occupancy before and during the COVID-19 pandemic was evaluated using interrupted time-series analysis.ResultsThe number of ICU patients before and during the COVID-19 pandemic was 297,679 and 277,799, respectively, and the number of HDU patients was 408,005 and 384,647, respectively. In the participating hospitals (383 ICU-equipped hospitals and 460 HDU-equipped hospitals), the number of hospitals which increased the ICU and HDU beds capacity were 14 (3.7%) and 33 (7.2%), respectively. Patient characteristics and outcomes in ICU and HDU were similar before and during the COVID-19 pandemic except main etiology for admission of COVID-19. The mean ICU bed occupancy before and during the COVID-19 pandemic was 51.5% and 47.5%, respectively. The interrupted time-series analysis showed a downward level change in ICU bed occupancy during the COVID-19 pandemic (− 4.29%, 95% confidence intervals − 5.69 to − 2.88%), and HDU bed occupancy showed similar trends. Of 383 hospitals with ICUs, 232 (60.6%) treated COVID-19 patients in their ICUs. Their annual hospital case volume of COVID-19 ICU patients varied greatly, with a median of 10 (interquartile range 3–25, min 1, max 444).ConclusionsThe ICU and HDU bed capacity did not increase while their bed occupancy decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan. There was no change in clinicians’ decision-making to forego ICU/HDU care for selected patients, and there was no progress in the centralization of critically ill COVID-19 patients.

Incidence and outcomes of critical illness in Indigenous Peoples: a systematic review protocol

BackgroundIndigenous Peoples experience health inequities across the continuum of health services. Improvements for Indigenous patients and their families during vulnerable experiences with the healthcare system may have a significant impact on the patient experience and outcomes. Improved understanding of the occurrence of critical illness in Indigenous Peoples and their use of critical care services, as a strategic priority, may aid in the development of initiatives for improving health equity. A global focus was selected to learn from Indigenous populations’ experiences with critical care, as the understanding of critical illness among Indigenous Peoples in Canada is not well understood. This protocol outlines a systematic review focused on describing the incidence of critical illness and utilization of critical care services among Indigenous Peoples.MethodsOvid MEDLINE/PubMed, Ovid EMBASE, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials will be searched. Relevant Canadian sites for gray literature (National Collaborating Centre for Indigenous Health, First Nations Health Authority, Canadian Institutes of Health Research Institute of Indigenous Peoples’ Health, National Association of Friendship Centres, the Alberta First Nations Information Governance Centre, Métis Nation of Alberta) will also be searched. We will include studies of adults (≥18 years) either without critical illness (i.e., general population) or with critical illness (i.e., admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU)). The exposure of interest will be Indigenous identity. Primary outcome measures are ICU admission and ICU mortality. Because heterogeneity in populations, comparisons, and outcome measures is anticipated, it is likely that the findings will be summarized using a narrative synthesis. A meta-analysis will be performed if there is sufficient evidence on one or more outcomes of interest.DiscussionThis systematic review will provide a better understanding of the epidemiology, risk factors, and outcomes of critical illness and utilization of critical care services among Indigenous Peoples. The knowledge generated will be applied to a broader program of work designed to create ethical space to co-design, implement, and evaluate a culturally competent, safe, and innovative model for critical care services for Indigenous People.Systematic review registrationPROSPERO CRD42021254661

318. Description of Patients Readmitted within 30 Days from COVID-19 Hospitalization

BackgroundSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has led to increased hospitalizations and utilization of critical care services. There are few studies describing co-morbidities and demographics associated with patients re-admitted within 30-days of discharge. The purpose of this study is to describe this patient population.MethodsThis was a single-center, retrospective study at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center to identify patients who were admitted secondary to SARS-CoV-2 and required readmission within 30 days due to complications that might be associated with COVID-19. Adults admitted between 3/15/2020 and 11/15/2020 were included in this study. Baseline demographics including age, gender and race in addition to select comorbidities were identified.Results250 patients were identified who were readmitted for various reasons. Readmitted patients had a median age of 55 years, 44% were male, and 41.2% were Black/African American. 62.4% of the population was obese (BMI ≥30 kg/m2) with 21.6% with a BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2. The top three co-morbidities seen included Diabetes Mellitus (DM) (32.2%), Hyperlipidemia (48.3%) and Hypertension (51.7%). ConclusionThough this study lacked a comparator group, it is clear that patients readmitted with all cause etiologies were disproportionally Black/African-American and obese, with a high prevalence of DM, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension. We recommend close monitoring of patients in these groups to reduce COVID19 readmissions. This is the first step in identifying which patients may be more likely to develop complications and required readmission, the next step is to compare these patients to those that were not readmitted to develop a risk model for readmission.Disclosures Carlos Malvestutto, M.D., Lilly (Scientific Research Study Investigator)Regeneron Inc. (Scientific Research Study Investigator)ViiV Healthcare (Advisor or Review Panel member) Mohammad Mahdee Sobhanie, M.D., Regeneron (Scientific Research Study Investigator)Regeneron (Scientific Research Study Investigator, Was a sub-investigator for Regeneron 2066 and 2069)

Association Between Pandemic Coronavirus Disease 2019 Public Health Measures and Reduction in Critical Care Utilization Across ICUs in Alberta, Canada.

OBJECTIVES:The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has disrupted critical care services across the world. In anticipation of surges in the need for critical care services, governments implemented “lockdown” measures to preserve and create added critical care capacity. Herein, we describe the impact of lockdown measures on the utilization of critical care services and patient outcomes compared with nonlockdown epochs in a large integrated health region.DESIGN:This was a population-based retrospective cohort study.SETTING:Seventeen adult ICUs across 14 acute care hospitals in Alberta, Canada.PATIENTS:All adult (age ≥ 15 yr) patients admitted to any study ICU.INTERVENTIONS:None.MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS:The main exposure was ICU admission during “lockdown” occurring between March 16, 2020, and June 30, 2020. This period was compared with two nonpandemic control periods: “year prior” (March 16, 2019, to June 30, 2019) and “pre lockdown” immediately prior (November 30, 2019, to March 15, 2020). The primary outcome was the number of ICU admissions. Secondary outcomes included the following: daily measures of ICU utilization, ICU duration of stay, avoidable delay in ICU discharge, and occupancy; and patient outcomes. Mixed multilevel negative binomial regression and interrupted time series regression were used to compare rates of ICU admissions between periods. Multivariable regressions were used to compare patient outcomes between periods. During the lockdown, there were 3,649 ICU admissions (34.1 [8.0] ICU admissions/d), compared with 4,125 (38.6 [9.3]) during the prelockdown period and 3,919 (36.6 [8.7]) during the year prior. Mean bed occupancy declined significantly during the lockdown compared with the nonpandemic periods (78.7%, 95.9%, and 96.4%; p < 0.001). Avoidable ICU discharge delay also decreased significantly (42.0%, 53.2%, and 58.3%; p < 0.001). During the lockdown, patients were younger, had fewer comorbid diseases, had higher acuity, and were more likely to be medical admissions compared with the nonpandemic periods. Adjusted ICU and hospital mortality and ICU and hospital lengths of stay were significantly lower during the lockdown compared with nonpandemic periods.CONCLUSIONS:The coronavirus disease 2019 lockdown resulted in substantial changes to ICU utilization, including a reduction in admissions, occupancy, patient lengths of stay, and mortality.

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: Cost (Early and Long-Term).

Costs of care in the intensive care unit are a frequent area of concern in our current health care system. Utilization of critical care services in the United States, particularly near the end of life, has been steadily increasing and will continue to do so. Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a common and important complication of critical illness. Patients with ARDS frequently experience prolonged hospitalizations and consume significant health care resources. Many patients are discharged with functional limitations and require significant postdischarge services. These patients have a high susceptibility to new complications which require significant additional health care resources. There is a slowly growing literature on the cost-effectiveness of the treatment of ARDS; despite its high costs, treatment remains a cost-effective intervention by most societal standards. However, when ARDS leads to prolonged mechanical ventilation, treatment may become less cost-effective. In addition, the provision of extracorporeal life support adds another layer of complexity to these cases. Small reductions in intensive care unit length of stay may benefit patients, but they do not lead to significant reductions in overall hospital costs. Early discharge to postacute care facilities can reduce hospital costs but is unlikely to significantly decrease costs for an entire episode of illness. Improved effectiveness of communication between clinicians and patients or their surrogates could help avoid costly interventions with poor expected outcomes. However, the most significant cost-saving interventions are early recognition and treatment of conditions to potentially prevent the development of this serious complication.

Secular Trends in Utilization of Critical Care Services Among Candidemia-Associated Hospitalizations: A Population-Based Cohort Study

BackgroundThe incidence of candidemia continues to rise in recent years. Candidemic patients often require care in an intensive care unit (ICU) and can consume substantial resources. However, there are no contemporary longitudinal population-level data on the incidence patterns of ICU utilization among patients with candidemia in the United States.MethodsThe Texas Inpatient Public Use Data File was used to identify hospitalized patients aged ≥ 18 years for the years 2001 - 2010. Hospitalizations with candidemia were identified by presence of an International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification Code 112.5. The annual rates of ICU admission among candidemia hospitalizations were examined. The annual incidence of candidemia hospitalizations with admission to ICU (C-ICU) was evaluated using the United States Census data, and was also benchmarked against the number of all hospitalizations and hospitalizations with ICU admission, overall and for age-specific strata.ResultsThere were 11,544 hospitalizations with candidemia, including 7,552 (65.4%) with C-ICU. Between 2001 and 2010, the rate of C-ICU among hospitalizations with candidemia increased from 60.2% to 68.0%, and the incidence of C-ICU increased by 91%, rising from 2.73 to 5.21 per 100,000 population. When benchmarked against hospital admissions and ICU admissions, the following changes were noted between 2001 and 2010 in the incidence of C-ICU: 1.61 vs. 3.34 per 10,000 hospitalizations, and 8.33 vs. 13.77 per 10,000 hospitalizations with ICU admission. The incidence of C-ICU rose rapidly during the first half of the last decade, while plateauing during the remainder of study period. There has been marked difference in the rate of rise in the incidence of C-ICU among examined age strata, being highest among the 18 - 44 year group.ConclusionsICU care occurred in the majority of candidemia hospitalizations. The incidence of C-ICU rose nearly two-fold during study period, but the rise plateaued during the second half of the last decade. Substantial heterogeneity was noted in the rate of rise in the incidence of C-ICU across examined age groups. Further study in other populations is required to corroborate our findings and examine the sources of the observed trends.

Evaluating Outcomes and Costs in Perioperative Care

Evaluating Outcomes and Costs in Perioperative Care

Cost and Health Care Utilization in ARDS—Different from Other Critical Illness?

Costs of care in the intensive care unit are a frequent target for concern in the current health care system. Utilization of critical care services in the United States is increasing and will continue to do so. Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a common and important complication of critical illness. Patients with ARDS frequently have long hospitalizations and consume a significant amount of health care resources. Many patients are discharged with functional limitations and high susceptibility to new complications that require significant additional health care resources. There is increasing literature on the cost-effectiveness of the treatment of ARDS, and despite its high costs, treatment remains a cost-effective intervention by current societal standards. However, when ARDS leads to prolonged mechanical ventilation, treatment becomes less cost-effective. Current research seeks to find interventions that lead to reductions in duration of mechanical ventilation and intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay. Limited reductions in ICU length of stay have benefits for the patient, but they do not lead to significant reductions in overall hospital costs. Early discharge to post-acute care facilities can reduce hospital costs but are unlikely to decrease costs for an entire episode of illness. Improved effectiveness of communication between clinicians and patients or their surrogates could help avoid costly interventions with poor expected outcomes.

Critical Care in Patients Undergoing Lumbar Spine Fusion

Data on the utilization of critical care services (CCSs) among patients who underwent spine fusion are rare. Given the increasing popularity of this procedure, information regarding demographics and risk factors for the use of these advanced services is needed in order to appropriately allocate resources, educate clinical staff, and identify targets for future research. We analyzed hospital discharge data of patients who underwent lumbar spine fusion in approximately 400 US hospitals between 2006 and 2010. Patient, procedure, and health care system-related demographics for those requiring CCS were compared to those who did not. Outcomes such as mortality, complications, disposition status, and hospital charges were compared among groups and risk factors for the utilization of CCS identified. A total of 95 434 entries of patients who underwent posterior lumbar spine fusion surgery between 2006 and 2010 were identified. Approximately 10% of the patients required CCS. On average, patients requiring CCS were older and had a higher comorbidity burden, developed more complications, had longer hospital stays and higher costs, and were less likely to be discharged home compared to non-CCS patients. Risk factors with increased odds for requiring CCS included advanced age, increasing comorbidity burden, increasing surgical invasiveness, and presence of postoperative complications, especially pulmonary. Approximately, 10% of the patients undergoing lumbar spine surgery require CCS. Utilizing the present data, critical care physicians and administrators can identify patients at risk, educate clinical staff, identify targets for intervention, and allocate resources to meet the needs of this particular patient population.

Utilization of Critical Care Services Among Patients Undergoing Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty

Utilization of Critical Care Services Among Patients Undergoing Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty

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Introduction: Data on the utilization of critical care services (CCS) amongst spine fusion patients are rare. Given the increasing popularity of this procedure, further information on risk factors for the use of CCS constitutes important knowledge for perioperative physicians, intensivists and administrators alike. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that individual demographic parameters, comorbidities and the postoperative complication incidence are strong determinants of CCS utilization and sought to quantify the impact that these factors exert. Methods: Hospital discharge data of patients who underwent posterior lumbar spine fusion in approximately 400 United States hospitals between 2006 and 2010 were analyzed and compared with regard to demographics and comparative outcomes. Regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors. Results: 95,434 patients who underwent posterior lumbar spine fusion were identified. Approximately 10% required CCS. Those patients were on average older (60.3 vs 56.7 yrs, P<.001), had a higher comorbidity burden (Deyo index 0.8 vs 0.5, P<.0001), higher rate of complications, in-hospital and 30-day mortality rates (1.02% vs 0.02%, P<.0001; 1.14% vs 0.04%, P<.0001). They required mechanical ventilation and blood transfusions more frequently, had higher average length of stay and higher hospital charges. Factors independently increasing the odds for CCS admission included: spine fusion beyond the posterior lumbar region, increasing number of levels, age or comorbidity index, male gender, black race, emergent admission, large hospital size, non-teaching hospital, urban location, pathologies other than degenerative disease and procedures involving a neurosurgeon versus an orthopedic practitioner. Comorbidities associated with the highest risk included complicated diabetes (OR 2.23) and sleep apnea (OR 2.18). Pulmonary compromise (OR 27.16), myocardial infarction (OR 11.28) and shock (OR 6.93) were identified as complications with the highest odds for the requirement of CCS. Conclusions: Critical care physicians should familiarize themselves with particularities of this patient population, and resources should be allocated to provide optimal care for patients at risk for adverse outcomes.

Utilization of Critical Care Services among Patients Undergoing Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty

A paucity of data exist on the use of critical care services (CCS) among hip and knee arthroplasty patients. The authors sought to identify the incidence and risk factors for the use of CCS among these patients and compare the characteristics and outcomes of patients who require CCS to those who do not. The authors analyzed hospital discharge data of patients who underwent primary hip or knee arthroplasty in approximately 400 United States hospitals between 2006 and 2010. Patient and healthcare system-related demographics for admitted patients requiring CCS were compared with those who did not. Differences in outcomes, including mortality, complications, disposition status, and hospital charges, were analyzed. Regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors for requiring CCS. A total of 528,495 patients underwent primary total hip (n = 172,467, 33%) and knee arthroplasty (n = 356,028, 67%). Of these, 3% required CCS. On average, CCS patients were older and had a higher comorbidity burden than did patients not requiring CCS. CCS patients experienced more complications, had longer hospital stays and higher costs, and were less likely to be discharged home than were non-CCS patients. Risk factors with increased odds for requiring CCS included advanced age, use of general versus neuraxial anesthesia, and the presence of postoperative cardiopulmonary complications. Approximately 1 of 30 patients undergoing total joint arthroplasty requires CCS. Given the large number of these procedures performed annually, anesthesiologists, orthopedic surgeons, critical care physicians, and administrators should be aware of the attendant risks this population represents and allocate resources accordingly.

Multi-Professional Recommendations for Access and Utilization of Critical Care Services: Towards Consistency in Practice and Ethical Decision-Making Processes

Multiprofessional guidelines for fair access to and use of adult critical care services are desperately needed to define a consistent transparent standard of care: when such therapies have the potential to benefit and help a patient as they journey with illness and when they cannot.

Management of the critically ill geriatric patient

To review the effect of an aging society on the utilization of critical care services and the physiology of aging as it applies to critical illness and prognosis and management issues in the intensive care unit (ICU). MEDLINE, Embase, and citation review of relevant primary and review articles. Elderly patients (age of >65 yrs) currently account for 42-52% of ICU admissions and for almost 60% of all ICU days. Aging is associated with decreased cardiopulmonary and renal reserve and with a high rate of co-morbidities, increasing the risks of the elderly developing progressive organ failure. Elderly ICU patients are at a particularly high risk of developing delirium, which is associated with significant morbidity. Severity of illness and age are the important factors determining ICU survival. Age and functional status before ICU admission are the major determinants of survival at 6 and 12 months after ICU discharge. Age alone should not be used to triage ICU patients; the decision to admit an elderly patient to an ICU should be based on the patients co-morbidities, acuity of illness, prehospital functional status, and preferences with regard to life-sustaining treatment. The management of critically ill elderly patients is a complex issue and involves an understanding of the changing demographics of our society and the physiology of aging. The reality of our aging society dictates that we must focus on how to best care for the elderly who develop critical illness.

Critical care for the severely ill head and neck patient.

To delineate the frequency and causes of admission to a critical care environment for patients undergoing head and neck surgery at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Retrospective clinical investigation. Adult intensive care unit of a tertiary referral cancer center. All head and neck surgery patients admitted to the special care unit (SCU) of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center between January 1, 1994 and December 31, 1995 were included in this study. None. The data collected included demographic, operative procedures, clinical, laboratory, and physiologic variables at time of SCU admission, at 24 hrs, as well as vital status at the time of discharge from the SCU and hospital. Other data collected were the need for mechanical ventilation and inotropic agents. During the period of January 1, 1994 through December 31, 1995, 37 (1.5%) of 2,346 patients undergoing head and neck surgical procedures required admission to the SCU. During the same period, six patients receiving medical treatment only for head and neck malignant disease were transferred to the SCU. These 43 admissions served as the basis for the study. The causes of admission to the SCU were pulmonary (15/43), cardiac (14/43), wound related (8/43), and other (15/43). The median length of stay in the SCU was 2 days, and the median hospitalization for patients requiring critical care services was 22 days. Seventy-four percent of patients requiring critical care services were eventually discharged to home. Current preoperative evaluation, operative and anesthetic techniques, and perioperative care result in a low frequency of utilization of critical care services by patients undergoing head and neck surgery. There is no single identifiable cause of complications for patients after head and neck surgery leading to utilization of critical care services.

The critically ill patient after hepatobiliary surgery.

BACKGROUND: We analyzed the causes and results of utilization of critical care services in the special care unit in patients after surgical procedures performed by the hepatobiliary surgical service during a 23-month period. RESULTS: Thirty-two of 537 patients (6.0%) required postoperative admission to the special care unit. Twenty-one patients were admitted directly from operating room or from recovery room because of inability to wean from ventilator (n = 10), hypovolemic shock (n = 4), myocardial ischemia or infarction (n = 2), sepsis (n = 2), upper gastrointestinal bleeding (n = 2), and acute renal failure (n =1). Eleven postoperative patients were admitted from floor care for respiratory failure (n = 4), cardiac dysrhythmia or infarction (n = 4), sepsis (n = 2), and upper gastrointestinal bleeding (n = 1). Thirty-eight per cent of patients (n = 12) admitted to the special care unit after surgery died. By multivariate analysis, total postoperative stay in the special care unit that was greater than median total duration of stay of 4.5 days was the only independent predictor of mortality (P = 0.041). CONCLUSIONS: Respiratory failure was the predominant component of all complications after hepatobiliary surgery. No clinically useful predictors of eventual outcome could be identified.

Postoperative utilization of critical care services by cardiac surgery: a multicenter study in the Canadian healthcare system.

To describe patterns of critical care services used after cardiac surgery and to evaluate whether variations in the process of care influence outcome. Multicenter, prospective study. A convenience sample of four cardiac surgical units: three in university-affiliated (teaching) hospitals and one in a nonteaching regional referral center. A "consecutive sample" of 335 patients after cardiac surgery in four hospitals. Data were collected regarding all cardiac surgery patients admitted to the critical care units in the four test hospitals. The critical care unit and hospital lengths of stay and survival were followed. The Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System (TISS) was used to assess the intensive care unit (ICU) interventions used during the first 24 hrs in the ICU and for the final 24 hrs before discharge from the ICU. The severity of illness on admission was assessed using the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) scoring system. For patients having similar procedures (e.g., aortocoronary bypass and nonaortocoronary bypass procedures) and with similar outcome (mortality/total hospital length of stay), we found significant differences in the pattern of ICU resource utilization among hospitals. Significant (p < .05) differences in unit length of stay were related to varying factors in different hospitals. In hospital unit A, the type of procedure and preoperative chronic health status influenced unit length of stay (aortocoronary bypass 2.8 +/- 1.7 days; nonaortocoronary bypass 8.7 +/- 8.9 days) because length of stay was different for differing procedure groups. In hospital unit B, the critical care management system and lack of step-down (intermediate care) unit availability resulted in an increased unit length of stay for aortocoronary bypass patients (5.1 +/- 4.5 days) as compared with the other units (mean ICU lengths of stay of 2.8, 2.3, and 3.0 days, respectively). Unit B kept patients for monitoring purposes and had a reduced need for critical care nursing on the day of discharge (TISS = 7.5 +/- 5.5) as compared with the other units (mean TISS scores of 27.4, 23.2, and 21.5). Significant differences exist among hospitals in the same healthcare system in the utilization of critical care services for cardiac surgery. In spite of these differences, for similar patient "input," the outcome (mortality and hospital lengths of stay) appeared similar. Assessments of utilization of critical care must focus on more detailed specific issues than unit length of stay, and must include factors such as availability of intermediate care areas, the unit management system, chronic health status, and the operative procedures performed, if a utilization management process is to effect improved resource use in critical care.