The impact of open versus closed format ICU admission practices on the outcome of high risk surgical patients: a cohort analysis
2011

Impact of ICU Admission Format on Surgical Patient Outcomes

Sample size: 458 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): van der Sluis Frederik J, Slagt Cornelis, Liebman Barbara, Beute Jan, Mulder Jan WR, Engel Alexander F

Primary Institution: Zaandam Medical Centre

Hypothesis

Does changing the ICU admission format from open to closed affect the outcomes of high-risk surgical patients?

Conclusion

The study suggests that a closed format ICU is associated with lower mortality rates in high-risk surgical patients compared to an open format ICU.

Supporting Evidence

  • Mortality was 25.7% in the open format group and 15.8% in the closed format group.
  • Morbidity decreased from 48.6% to 46.1% between the two groups.
  • The average length of hospital stay was longer in the closed format group.

Takeaway

This study found that patients who had surgery and were treated in a closed ICU had a better chance of surviving than those in an open ICU.

Methodology

A retrospective analysis of medical records from high-risk surgical patients admitted to the ICU in two different time periods.

Potential Biases

Potential bias due to differences in patient selection criteria between the two ICU formats.

Limitations

The study is retrospective and may be influenced by advances in medical care over time.

Participant Demographics

High-risk surgical patients, with a mean age of 73 in the open format group and 75 in the closed format group.

Statistical Information

P-Value

0.01

Confidence Interval

95% confidence interval 1.0 to 4.5

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1471-2482-11-18

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