Abstract
To identify those patients most likely to be readmitted to a Medical ICU (MICU), we studied 512 MICU admissions during a 1-yr period. There were 36 readmissions within the same hospitalization in that interval. When ICU deaths and short-term drug overdoses were excluded, these 36 readmissions comprised 12% of all patients discharged from MICU. The mortality rate of this group was 58%, greater than twice the overall mortality rate for the year. Fifty-three % of the patients were readmitted because of recurrence of their initial disease on admission, with septicemia being the most common disease. Another 30% were readmitted because of a new complication, one-half of which were medication toxicities. We have attempted to delineate diseases, medications, and complications which may predict the high-risk discharge from MICU. Further studies to identify high-risk and low-risk admissions and discharges will effect better use of intensive care.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 61-66 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Critical Care Medicine |
Volume | 11 |
Issue number | 2 |
State | Published - 1983 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Critical Care and Intensive Care Medicine