Dataset Information

Non-readmission decisions in the intensive care unit: A qualitative study of physicians' experience in a multicentre French study.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Deciding not to re-admit a patient to the intensive care unit (ICU) poses an ethical dilemma for ICU physicians. We aimed to describe and understand the attitudes and perceptions of ICU physicians regarding non-readmission of patients to the ICU.

Materials and methods

Multicenter, qualitative study using semi-directed interviews between January and May 2019. All medical staff working full-time in the ICU of five participating centres (two academic and three general, non-academic hospitals) were invited to participate. Participants were asked to describe how they experienced non-readmission decisions in the ICU, and to expand on the manner in which the decision was made, but also on the traceability and timing of the decision. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and analyzed using textual content analysis.

Results

In total, 22 physicians participated. Interviews lasted on average 26±7 minutes. There were 14 men and 8 women, average age was 35±9 years, and average length of ICU experience was 7±5 years. The majority of respondents said that they regretted that the question of non-readmission was not addressed before the initial ICU admission. They acknowledged that the ICU stay did lead to more thorough contemplation of the overall goals of care. Multidisciplinary team meetings could help to anticipate the question of readmission within the patient's care pathway. Participants reported that there is a culture of collegial decision-making in the ICU, although the involvement of patients, families and other healthcare professionals in this process is not systematic. The timing and traceability of non-readmission decisions are heterogeneous.

Conclusions

Non-readmission decisions are a major issue that raises ethical questions surrounding the fact that there is no discussion of the patient's goals of care in advance. Better anticipation, and better communication with the patients, families and other healthcare providers are suggested as areas that could be targeted for improvement.

SUBMITTER: Jacquier M

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7808577 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Non-readmission decisions in the intensive care unit: A qualitative study of physicians' experience in a multicentre French study.

Jacquier Marine M Meunier-Beillard Nicolas N Ecarnot Fiona F Large Audrey A Aptel François F Labruyère Marie M Dargent Auguste A Andreu Pascal P Roudaut Jean-Baptiste JB Rigaud Jean-Philippe JP Quenot Jean-Pierre JP

PloS one 20210114 1

<h4>Purpose</h4>Deciding not to re-admit a patient to the intensive care unit (ICU) poses an ethical dilemma for ICU physicians. We aimed to describe and understand the attitudes and perceptions of ICU physicians regarding non-readmission of patients to the ICU.<h4>Materials and methods</h4>Multicenter, qualitative study using semi-directed interviews between January and May 2019. All medical staff working full-time in the ICU of five participating centres (two academic and three general, non-ac ...[more]

PMID: 33444323

Similar Datasets

Project description:BackgroundResearch on pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) readmission is lacking in China. This study was conducted to describe the risk factors associated with PICU readmission within 1 year after PICU discharge.MethodsThis retrospective case-control study included patients aged from 1 month to 16 years who were discharged between January 2018 and May 2020. The case group included readmitted patients with two or more PICU admissions within 1 year during the study period. The control group included survivors with only one PICU admission during the same study period, and the controls were matched on age and sex. Demographic and clinical variables were collected from the electronic administrative database. Risk factors were analyzed by univariate and multivariate analyses.ResultsFrom January 2018 to May 2020, 2,529 patients were discharged from the PICU, and 103 (4.07%) were readmitted within 1 year. In the univariate analysis, PICU readmission within 1 year was associated with lower weight, the presence of chronic conditions, a higher StrongKids score on admission, length of PICU stay of more than 2 weeks, the presence of dysfunction at discharge, sedation medications use, vasopressor use, and invasive mechanical ventilation in the first PICU stay. Patients had a higher StrongKids score as a surrogate for increased risk of malnutrition. In the multivariate analysis, the factors most significantly associated with PICU readmission within 1 year were the presence of chronic conditions, a higher StrongKids score on admission, and length of PICU stay of more than 2 weeks in the first PICU stay. In the subgroup analysis, compared with the control group, the factors most significantly associated with readmission within 48 h of discharge were the presence of chronic conditions, a higher StrongKids score on admission, and vasopressor use during the first PICU stay. The mortality rate was 8.74% (9/103) in patients with PICU readmission. The overall PICU mortality rate was 7.39% (201/2,721) during the study period.ConclusionsPatients with chronic conditions, a higher StrongKids score on admission, and length of PICU stay of more than 2 weeks were at much higher risk for PICU readmission within 1 year. Patients with vasopressor use during the first PICU hospitalization were more likely to be readmitted within 48 h of discharge.

Dataset Information

Non-readmission decisions in the intensive care unit: A qualitative study of physicians' experience in a multicentre French study.

Purpose

Materials and methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Non-readmission decisions in the intensive care unit: A qualitative study of physicians' experience in a multicentre French study.

Similar Datasets

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