The very old in intensive care: Admission characteristics, mortality and supports needed at six months postdischarge

To describe survival and six-month outcomes (residence, community supports) in the very old (≥80 years) admitted to intensive care in Waitemata District Health Board, New Zealand.

Hospital records of patients 80 years and over admitted from August 2015 to June 2017 were reviewed.

One hundred and seventeen patients were admitted (median age: 83). Standard ICU risk scores predicted survival to hospital discharge. Patients admitted electively were more likely to survive to discharge than emergency ICU/HDU admissions (P = .007). Ninety-two (79%) survived to hospital discharge, and 84 (72%) survived to 6 months. Eighty-four were discharged home (91% of survivors), and 79 were living at home at 6 months (94% of survivors). Community supports increased from admission (34, 29%) to 6 months later (34, 43% of community dwellers). Forty-four (47.8% surviving to discharge) were readmitted within 6 months.

Most patients are alive at discharge and 6 months, with a majority requiring no formal supports.