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Intensive Care Medicine
Published in: Intensive Care Medicine 8/2007

01-08-2007 | Original

Variability in outcome and resource use in intensive care units

Authors: Hans U. Rothen, Kay Stricker, Johanna Einfalt, Peter Bauer, Philip G. H. Metnitz, Rui P. Moreno, Jukka Takala

Published in: Intensive Care Medicine | Issue 8/2007

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Abstract

Objective

To examine variability in outcome and resource use between ICUs. Secondary aims: to assess whether outcome and resource use are related to ICU structure and process, to explore factors associated with efficient resource use.

Design and setting

Cohort study, based on the SAPS 3 database in 275 ICUs worldwide.

Patients

16,560 adults.

Measurements and results

Outcome was defined by standardized mortality rate (SMR). Standardized resource use (SRU) was calculated based on length of stay in the ICU, adjusted for severity of acute illness. Each unit was assigned to one of four groups: “most efficient” (SMR and SRU < median); “least efficient” (SMR, SRU > median); “overachieving” (low SMR, high SRU), “underachieving” (high SMR, low SRU). Univariate analysis and stepwise logistic regression were used to test for factors separating “most” from “least efficient” units. Overall median SMR was 1.00 (IQR 0.77–1.28) and SRU 1.07 (0.76–1.58). There were 91 “most efficient”, 91 “least efficient”, 47 “overachieving”, and 46 “underachieving” ICUs. Number of physicians, of full-time specialists, and of nurses per bed, clinical rounds, availability of physicians, presence of emergency department, and geographical region were significant in univariate analysis. In multivariate analysis only interprofessional rounds, emergency department, and geographical region entered the model as significant.

Conclusions

Despite considerable variability in outcome and resource use only few factors of ICU structure and process were associated with efficient use of ICU. This suggests that other confounding factors play an important role.
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Metadata
Title
Variability in outcome and resource use in intensive care units
Authors
Hans U. Rothen
Kay Stricker
Johanna Einfalt
Peter Bauer
Philip G. H. Metnitz
Rui P. Moreno
Jukka Takala
Publication date
01-08-2007
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Intensive Care Medicine / Issue 8/2007
Print ISSN: 0342-4642
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1238
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00134-007-0690-3

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