Characteristics and Outcomes of Mechanically Ventilated Patients at Adult ICU of Selected Public Hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abstract

Micheal Alemayehu,1,2 Aklilu Azazh,2 Heyria Hussien,2 Ararso Baru3 1Department of Emergency and Critical Care, Tiruneshi Beijing General Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; 2Department of Emergency Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; 3Department of Nursing, College of Health Sciences, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Micheal Alemayehu, Email [email protected]: Mechanical ventilation is the primary method of supporting organ function for patients admitted to intensive care units (ICU). The information on the characteristics and outcomes of patients requiring mechanical ventilation is essential to understanding the causes of mortality among mechanically ventilated patients. However, the available literature in developing countries, including Ethiopia, is limited.Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the characteristics and outcomes of mechanically ventilated patients in adult intensive care units in selected public hospitals, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 2019 to 2020.Methods: An institutional-based cross-sectional study design was employed. All adult patients who were mechanically ventilated and admitted to ICU for at least 24 hours between July 2019 and July 2020 were included in the study. The collected data were evaluated with SPSS version 26 software. Multiple logistic regression models were used to indicate the association between dependent and independent variables. The variables, which have an independent association with poor outcomes, were identified with a p-value less than 0.05.Results: Of 180 mechanically ventilated patients, 98(54.4%) were male. The main reason for ventilation was respiratory failure. The mean duration of stay on the ventilator was 7.09± 6.06, and the mortality rate in mechanically ventilated patients was 41.7%. The mortality rate was higher in patients with cardiac diseases 43(57.70%). Inotropic use, not taking sedation, and length of stay on a mechanical ventilator were independently associated with mortality.Conclusion: The mortality rate of mechanically ventilated patients in the selected public hospitals was high. The clinicians must strive to balance the necessity and benefit of sedation use with the potential to negatively affect the patient outcome. In addition, the risk:benefit assessment of ventilation must be done for all patients requiring ventilator support.Keywords: mechanical ventilation, intensive care unit, characteristics, outcome, Ethiopia

Keywords

• mechanical ventilation
• intensive care unit
• characteristics
• outcome
• ethiopia