Retrospective Analysis of the Re-Admitted Cases in Intensive Care Unit; Reasons, Outcomes and Evaluation of the Factors That Affect Mortality

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of the study to analyze the reasons and outcomes of re-admission in the intensive care unit (ICU). And also, the factors, which affect mortality in this group of patients, were studied. Material and Method: The registry of patients, who were re-admitted in ICU between July 2007 and June 2010 in our hospital, were analysed retrospectively. The data about indications of re-admission, the time between two admissions and the outcomes of the second admission, have been gathered. Results: 2011 patients were treated in three years' period. Sixty-eight of them (3.38%) were re-admitted to ICU. Thirty-three of these patients (49%) were re-admitted to ICU with the former indications, 35 (51%) with a different indications. Ten (14.7%) of the patients who were discharged from ICU, re-admitted in the first 48 hours. While seven of the patients (70%) who were re- admitted in the first 48 hours after discharge were died. Seventeen of patients (30%) who were re-admitted after 48 hours were lost. The data revealed that, 12 (23%) of the 53 patients who were mechanically ventilated among the re-admitted cases were discharged in the first 24 hours after weaning completed in their first admission. The mortality rate in the early re-admitted patiens were significantly higher than in the late re-admitted ones. Conclusion: We believe that the rate of re-admission can be reduced if patients keep in the ICU more than 24 hours after weaning. The better, to monitor the patients in the “close care units” before discharge, until the discharging criteria become steadier.

Keywords

• Re-admission
• intensive care unit