objectIve. The aim of this study was to evaluate the criteria used in clinical practice to triage patients who are candidates for ICU admission. Methods. This was a prospective cohort study conducted at a tertiary hospital. Patients were assessed for their need for ICU admission and ranked by priority into groups 1, 2, 3 and 4 (highest priority 1, lowest priority 4) and these groups were compared. results. The sample comprised 359 patients with a median age of 66 years (53.2-75.0). Median APACHE II score was 23 (18-30). The ICU granted 70.4% of requests for ICU beds. Patients who were refused admission to the ICU were older, 66.2±16.1 vs. 61.9±15.2 years (p= 0.02), and fewer priority 1 patients were refused ICU beds; 23.8% vs. 39.1% of requests refused (p=0.01). The opposite was observed with priorities 3 and 4. Priority 3 and 4 patients were older, scored higher on the prognostic scale and the organ dysfunction scale and had a higher bed refusal rate. Patients in priority groups 3 and 4 had higher in-ICU mortality rates when compared to priority 1 and 2 patients: 86.7% vs. 31.3% (p<0.001). conclusIon. Age, prognostic scores and organ dysfunction scores were all greater among priority 3 and 4 patients and were related to refusal of ICU admission. Patients refused admission to the ICU had higher mortality rates and mortality remained higher among priority 3 and 4 patients even when they were admitted to the ICU.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.