Impact of delayed admission to intensive care units on mortality of critically ill patients: a cohort study.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

When the number of patients who require intensive care is greater than the number of beds available, intensive care unit (ICU) entry flow is obstructed. This phenomenon has been associated with higher mortality rates in patients that are not admitted despite their need, and in patients that are admitted but are waiting for a bed. The purpose of this study is to evaluate if a delay in ICU admission affects mortality for critically ill patients.

Methods

A prospective cohort of adult patients admitted to the ICU of our institution between January and December 2005 were analyzed. Patients for whom a bed was available were immediately admitted; when no bed was available, patients waited for ICU admission. ICU admission was classified as either delayed or immediate. C

SUBMITTER: Cardoso LT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3222064 | biostudies-literature | 2011

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature