Dermatological Conditions in Intensive Care
Author Information
Author(s): George Susannah MC, Harrison David A, Welch Catherine A, Nolan Kathleen M, Friedmann Peter S
Primary Institution: Intensive Care National Audit & Research Centre
Hypothesis
What are the characteristics and outcomes of patients with dermatological conditions requiring admission to intensive care units?
Conclusion
Patients with dermatological conditions requiring intensive care have high mortality rates and long ICU stays, similar to other acute medical conditions.
Supporting Evidence
- 2,406 dermatological admissions were identified, representing 0.51% of all ICU admissions.
- Overall mortality was 28.1% in the ICU and 40.0% in hospital.
- Patients with acute skin failure had the longest ICU stays, with a median of 4.7 days.
Takeaway
Some skin problems can be very serious and need special care in the hospital. This study looked at patients with skin issues in intensive care and found they often stay longer and have higher chances of dying.
Methodology
Data were extracted for 476,224 admissions to 178 ICUs in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland from December 1995 to September 2006, identifying admissions with dermatological conditions.
Limitations
The study lacks detailed information on diagnosis accuracy and the specific conditions of patients prior to ICU admission.
Participant Demographics
Patients included were primarily adults with a mix of surgical and non-surgical admissions, with a notable percentage of male patients.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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