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. 2012 Apr;40(3):241-6.
doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2011.04.005. Epub 2011 Aug 3.

Overview of adverse events related to invasive procedures in the intensive care unit

Véronique Pottier  1 , Cédric Daubin, Nicolas Lerolle, Cathy Gaillard, Gérald Viquesnel, Benoit Plaud, Jean-Luc Hanouz, Pierre Charbonneau
Affiliations
Free article

Overview of adverse events related to invasive procedures in the intensive care unit

Véronique Pottier et al. Am J Infect Control. 2012 Apr.
Free article

Abstract

Background: This study was conducted to determine the frequency, predictors, and clinical impact of adverse events (AEs) related to invasive procedures in the intensive care unit (ICU).

Methods: This was a prospective observational study of ICUs in a university hospital.

Results: A total of 893 patients requiring invasive procedures were admitted over a 1-year period. Among these, 310 patients (34.7%) experienced a total of 505 AEs. The mean number of AEs per patient was 1.6 ± 1.1 (range, 1-7). Infectious AEs were significantly more frequent than mechanical AEs (60.4% vs 39.6%; P = .01). Factors independently associated with AE occurrence were isolation of multidrug-resistant bacteria at ICU admission, >5 invasive procedures, and ICU length of stay >8 days. Thirty-three AEs (6.5%) resulted in severe clinical impact, including 24 deaths. Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) accounted for 62.5% of the deaths related to AEs.

Conclusions: One-third of critically ill patients experienced AEs related to invasive procedures. Severe AEs were associated with 11% of all ICU deaths. VAP was the most frequent AE related to death. An improved assessment of the risk-benefit balance before each invasive procedure and increased efforts to decrease VAP prevalence are needed to reduce AE-related mortality.

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