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Predictors and outcome of prolonged stay in the respiratory ICU

Abstract

Introduction

Prolonged ICU stay is associated with high mortality, morbidity, and costs. Understanding the predictors of prolonged stay ICU patients is helpful in improving the patients’ outcomes, especially if some factors could be modified or useful in clinical decisions.

Aim

The aim of this study was to evaluate the characteristics, outcomes, and cost of ICU patients with a prolonged stay (≥15 days) and very long stay (≥30 days) in Ain Shams University Hospital Respiratory ICUs.

Patients and methods

This multidisciplinary prospective study was conducted on 213 patients admitted at the two respiratory ICUs at Ain Shams University Hospitals from May 2013 to May 2014. In addition, the relationships between residents, consultants, nurses, and patients’ families are evaluated through multiple surveys.

Results

A total of 213 patients met the inclusion criteria in both ICUs, with a mean age of 54.7 years (minimum: 20 years; maximum: 80 years) and mean ICU stay of 23.4 days (minimum: 15 days; maximum: 60 days). Mechanical ventilation, vasopressor support, type of nutrition, BMI, tracheostomy, and Acute Physiology And Chronic Health Evaluation II Score on admission had a significant association with prolonged ICU stay and mortality.

The surveys’ results showed that the nurse–physician relationship is of friendly stranger type. The residents’ pitfalls were mostly the grandiosity and lack of decision taking. Most of physicians of different medical degrees had highlightened the quality of leadership as the most important cause straining the relationship with colleagues. The family members’ satisfaction is correlated with the progression and length of stay of patients.

Conclusion

Patients with prolonged ICU stay consume the ICU resources. Studies identifying predictors of prolonged stay are essential to improve both resource utilization and the efficiency of ICU care. Personal relationship and communication skills have their impact on working environment.

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Correspondence to Noha O. Ahmed BSc, MSc, PhD.

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Khattab, A.M., Elgawad El-Masry, A.A., El Maraghy, A.A. et al. Predictors and outcome of prolonged stay in the respiratory ICU. Egypt J Bronchol 12, 57–68 (2018). https://doi.org/10.4103/ejb.ejb_44_17

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