Long Length of Stay in the Intensive Care Unit (≥90 Days): Retrospective Analysis of Predisposing Factors and Results

Abstract

Objective:This study aimed to determine factors affecting the duration of stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) by determining the clinical characteristics and results of patients with long ICU stay (≥90 days).Materials and Methods:Data of patients (n=98) hospitalised in the ICU for ≥90 days between January 2015 and December 2018 were retrospectively analysed. Clinical characteristics, results, advanced treatments and procedures, electrolyte disturbances and infection characteristics were recorded together with the demographic data of the patients. The predictors affecting the length of ICU stay were determined using the regression model.Results:The mean patient age was 70.10±18.55 years, and the mortality rate was 77.6%. The mean length of ICU stay was significantly higher in patients who underwent tracheostomy and endoscopic gastrostomy (p<0.001). The most common infections were ventilator-associated pneumonia (41.82%) and blood stream infections (31.67%). Acute Pysiology and Chronic Health Evaluation-II (APACHE-II) score, mechanical ventilator time, number of blood transfusions and hypomagnesaemia were determined as predictors affecting long ICU stay on the multivariate regression model.Conclusion:In patients with a long ICU stay (≥90 days), high APACHE-II score, long mechanical ventilation duration, number of blood transfusions and hypomagnesaemia were determined to be independent risk factors for long ICU stay. More comprehensive research is required to show the potential effects of these predictors.

Keywords

• intensive care unit
• length of stay
• risk factors