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Obstetric admissions to an intensive therapy unit
E Wheatley1, A Farkas, D Watson
1Department of Anaesthesia, Homerton Hospital, London, UK.
International Journal of Obstetric Anesthesia
|October 1, 1996
Summary
Pregnancy complications often require Intensive Therapy Unit (ITU) admission. Most ITU admissions for obstetric patients were unpredictable and necessitated full intensive care facilities, not just high dependency nursing.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics
- Critical Care Medicine
- Maternal Health
Background:
- Pregnancy complications can necessitate Intensive Therapy Unit (ITU) admission.
- Assessing the predictability and necessity of ITU care versus high dependency nursing for obstetric patients is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review obstetric patients admitted to ITU.
- To determine if ITU admissions could have been predicted.
- To compare the role of intensive care with high dependency nursing.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of case notes for 122 women admitted to ITU between 1989-1993.
- Analysis of indications for admission, obstetric history, and required level of care.
Main Results:
- 67% of women had no pre-existing medical or obstetric history.
- Major indications included hypertensive disease (66%) and hemorrhage (19%).
- 79% of admissions followed caesarean section, with 40% requiring ventilatory support.
Conclusions:
- Two-thirds of ITU admissions for obstetric complications were unpredictable.
- Many patients required full ITU facilities, indicating ineligibility for high dependency care.
- Intensive care remains essential for managing severe pregnancy complications.