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. 2021 May 20:10:142.
doi: 10.4103/jehp.jehp_780_20. eCollection 2021.

Severity of illness affecting the length of stay and outcomes in patients admitted to intensive care units, Iran, 2019

Mohammad Setareh  1 , Negin Masoudi Alavi  1 , Fatemeh Atoof  2
Affiliations

Severity of illness affecting the length of stay and outcomes in patients admitted to intensive care units, Iran, 2019

Mohammad Setareh et al. J Educ Health Promot. .

Abstract

Background: Length of stay (LOS) and patients' outcome are two important indicators in intensive care units (ICUs). The severity of illness influences these variables and could have a predictive value in clinical settings. The impact of severity of illness on the LOS and outcomes in patients admitted to ICUs was investigated in a selected hospital in Iran in 2019.

Materials and methods: This research was a descriptive longitudinal study. Data were prospectively collected on 150 patients. The sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score, LOS, and demographic variables of the patients were recorded. Abbreviated mental test and Barthel index measuring activities of daily living questionnaires were completed at the time of the discharge from ICU and 1 month later to show the patient outcomes. Data analysis was performed using Chi-square test, t-test, analysis of variance, Pearson's correlation, and linear and ordinal logistic regression with SPSS software version 16.

Results: The mean of LOS was 11.21 ± 10.54 days. 24.7% of the patients were discharged from ICUs with optimal recovery, 49.3% with poor recovery, and 26% died in ICUs. One month after discharge, 67.6% of patients had optimal recovery, 24.3% had poor recovery, and 8.1% died. The SOFA score had a significant relation with LOS and patient outcomes in discharge and 1 month later. All the patients with SOFA score <5 survived, and all the patients with SOFA score more than 12 died.

Conclusions: The severity of illness had a significant relation with LOS and patient outcomes in the time of the discharge from ICU and 1 month later. It seems that the initial SOFA score of 12 and higher can be suggested as a cutoff point for poor prognosis in ICU patients.

Keywords: Intensive care units; length of stay; organ dysfunction scores; patient outcome assessment.

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Conflict of interest statement

There are no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The outcome of patients in the time of discharge according to sequential organ failure assessment score
Figure 2
Figure 2
The relation between sequential organ failure assessment score in admission and the length of stay in Intensive care units
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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