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Updated: Jun 27, 2026
10:38
Observational Study Protocol for Repeated Clinical Examination and Critical Care Ultrasonography Within the Simple Intensive Care Studies
Published on: January 16, 2019
[Mortality surveillance in an intensive care unit]
Rolf Haagensen1, Nils Smith-Erichsen
1Anestesiavdelingen Akershus, universitetssykehus, 1478 Lørenskog. haarol@online.no
Summary
The Variable Life Adjusted Display (VLAD) chart effectively visualizes risk-adjusted mortality trends in intensive care units, showing improved survival rates over time. This method aids in monitoring treatment results and performance.
Area of Science:
- Critical Care Medicine
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Norwegian Intensive Care Units report annual risk-adjusted mortality data.
- Interpreting annual variations is challenging due to random fluctuations and case mix changes.
- Continuous monitoring methods are needed for clinical practice evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the utility of the Variable Life Adjusted Display (VLAD) chart for monitoring intensive care unit performance.
- To illustrate treatment results and risk-adjusted mortality over time.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 3190 patients treated in an intensive care unit from 1997-2006.
- Calculation of risk-adjusted mortality for 2777 patients using risk-of-death scores.
- Application of the cumulative risk-adjusted mortality chart (VLAD).
Main Results:
- Risk-adjusted mortality showed year-to-year variation.
- A trend towards improved survival was observed in recent years.
- The VLAD curve clearly demonstrated variations in patient mortality.
Conclusions:
- The VLAD curve is a valuable addition to traditional performance evaluation methods for intensive care units.
- VLAD effectively illustrates temporal changes in treatment outcomes.
- This method enhances the interpretation of risk-adjusted mortality data.
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