Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 10, 2026

Objective Nociceptive Assessment in Ventilated ICU Patients: A Feasibility Study Using Pupillometry and the Nociceptive Flexion Reflex
Published on: July 4, 2018
Is intensive care worth it? An assessment of input and outcome for the critically ill
Abstract:
The high cost of treatment in an ICU is clearly recognized; the ultimate benefit of that care in prolonging meaningful life is not as well quantified. We evaluated 337 mixed medical-surgical ICU patients for severity of illness and intensity of therapy and assessed their survival and quality of life 16 to 20 months after discharge. Mortality was 36.9% for emergency surgical and medical patients and 13.9% for elective surgical patients. A total of 140 patients responded to follow-up; 62.2% of patients not retired or homemakers were working full-time. Quality of life was good using both subjective and objective standards. There were few significant differences between elective surgical and other patients. Survival and life quality were related inversely to severity of illness and cost of treatment. Acute health on ICU admission predicted survival well; chronic health and age were better predictors of life quality.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Nursing Assessment
The nurse collects all aspects of the patient's health in the initial assessment, establishing priorities for ongoing focused assessments and...
Nursing Interventions II: Selecting and Classifying the Nursing Interventions
Nursing Evaluation
Section...
Respiratory Assessment: Purpose and Indications
Objectives and Importance:
The primary goal of respiratory assessment is to evaluate patients at early risk of clinical deterioration. Since respiratory distress often precedes other signs of declining health, breathing patterns and sounds become a...
Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment
Acute Coronary Syndrome IV: Interprofessional Care

