Analysis of consultations requested from the tertiary intensive care unit and response times: a retrospective study

Abstract

Aims: It is aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the consultations and response times requested from the Intensive Care Unit on the cost.
 Methods: This study was conducted retrospectively in a 16-bed anesthesia intensive care unit (ICU) between 02.01.2019 and 30.12.2019. Patient information from the hospital data system was analyzed. Accordingly, demographic data, hospitalization diagnoses, departments for which consultation was requested, times of request, response times, and the average cost per day of a patient were investigated.
 Results: It was determined that consultation was requested from a total of 522 patients, 223 (43%) of the patients were female, 299 (57%) were male, and the age range was 18-98 (mean age 57). It was found that the average consultation response time in all departments was 4.09 hours outside of working hours and 3.54 hours during working hours. There was no significant difference in the response time of consultations between internal and surgical departments. The daily cost of one patient in the ICU was found to be 2380.39 ₺.
 Conclusion: Failure to promptly respond to the requested consultations in the intensive care unit may cause delays in patients' treatment and their discharge to the service. This situation increases the patient's length of stay and causes the intensive care units not to be used effectively and correctly. However, it can also increase morbidity and cost.