Outcomes of prolonged intensive care and rehabilitation at a specialized multidisciplinary center in Sweden

Specialized clinics may improve the outcome for patients with prolonged intensive care stays. Admission may depend on diagnosis, need of respiratory support and more. We report the results from a Swedish specialized center with a multidisciplinary team approach to continued intensive care and simultaneous rehabilitation regardless of patients' primary diagnosis or ventilator need.

All patients admitted and discharged from 2015 to 2018 were included. Demographics, diagnoses, ventilatory support requirement, discharge destination and survival were retrieved from the center´s quality registry.

A total of 181 patients, mean age 61 ± 16 years, 64% men, were analyzed. A neurological diagnosis was the cause for hospitalization in 46% of patients. Of the 55 patients admitted to the center for weaning from mechanical ventilation, 89% were successfully weaned within a median of 25 (interquartile range (IQR) 16-45) days. Decannulation was intended in 117 patients of which 90% were successful within a median of 25 (IQR 13-43) days. Readmission to intensive care was 4%. Most patients were discharged to their home or to rehabilitation clinics with a lower level of care. In-clinic mortality was 3%. Survival beyond 1 and 2 years after discharge was 79% and 70%, respectively.

Patients with prolonged intensive care and complex medical needs treated at a specialized center in Sweden had weaning and decannulation rates comparable to or better than previously reported. Mortality was low, and most patients were discharged home or for further rehabilitation. This was achieved with a multidisciplinary team approach to continued intensive care and simultaneous rehabilitation.