The role of physician-assistants in critical care units

We evaluated the feasibility of utilizing physician assistants as providers of primary care in a medical ICU. After a three-month period of rigorous training, two PAs were assigned to the ICU. Their performance as well as the operation of the ICU over a two-year period was evaluated and compared to two preceding years when it was operated by house officers. There were no changes in occupancy, mortality or the rate of complications. Evidence for more careful evaluation of patients prior to admission and discharge, manifesting as slightly fewer admissions and slightly longer duration of hospitalization, was also documented. We conclude that properly trained PAs may have a role in providing health care in intensive care settings.