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BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making
Published in: BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making 1/2010

Open Access 01-12-2010 | Research article

A predictive model for the early identification of patients at risk for a prolonged intensive care unit length of stay

Authors: Andrew A Kramer, Jack E Zimmerman

Published in: BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making | Issue 1/2010

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Abstract

Background

Patients with a prolonged intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay account for a disproportionate amount of resource use. Early identification of patients at risk for a prolonged length of stay can lead to quality enhancements that reduce ICU stay. This study developed and validated a model that identifies patients at risk for a prolonged ICU stay.

Methods

We performed a retrospective cohort study of 343,555 admissions to 83 ICUs in 31 U.S. hospitals from 2002-2007. We examined the distribution of ICU length of stay to identify a threshold where clinicians might be concerned about a prolonged stay; this resulted in choosing a 5-day cut-point. From patients remaining in the ICU on day 5 we developed a multivariable regression model that predicted remaining ICU stay. Predictor variables included information gathered at admission, day 1, and ICU day 5. Data from 12,640 admissions during 2002-2005 were used to develop the model, and the remaining 12,904 admissions to internally validate the model. Finally, we used data on 11,903 admissions during 2006-2007 to externally validate the model.

Results

The variables that had the greatest impact on remaining ICU length of stay were those measured on day 5, not at admission or during day 1. Mechanical ventilation, PaO2: FiO2 ratio, other physiologic components, and sedation on day 5 accounted for 81.6% of the variation in predicted remaining ICU stay. In the external validation set observed ICU stay was 11.99 days and predicted total ICU stay (5 days + day 5 predicted remaining stay) was 11.62 days, a difference of 8.7 hours. For the same patients, the difference between mean observed and mean predicted ICU stay using the APACHE day 1 model was 149.3 hours. The new model's r2 was 20.2% across individuals and 44.3% across units.

Conclusions

A model that uses patient data from ICU days 1 and 5 accurately predicts a prolonged ICU stay. These predictions are more accurate than those based on ICU day 1 data alone. The model can be used to benchmark ICU performance and to alert physicians to explore care alternatives aimed at reducing ICU stay.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
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Metadata
Title
A predictive model for the early identification of patients at risk for a prolonged intensive care unit length of stay
Authors
Andrew A Kramer
Jack E Zimmerman
Publication date
01-12-2010
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making / Issue 1/2010
Electronic ISSN: 1472-6947
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6947-10-27

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