Identifying Risk Factors for Prolonged Length of Stay in Hospital and Developing Prediction Models for Patients with...

Area of Science:

• Critical Care Medicine
• Cardiology
• Neurology

Background:

• Prolonged length of stay (LOS) after targeted temperature management (TTM) impacts healthcare resources.
• Understanding risk factors for extended hospitalization is vital for patient management and cost-efficiency.
• This study investigates factors contributing to prolonged LOS in cardiac arrest survivors receiving TTM.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify risk factors associated with prolonged LOS in cardiac arrest patients undergoing TTM.
• To explore the relationship between LOS and neurological outcomes post-TTM.
• To develop a predictive model for prolonged LOS in this patient population.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective cohort study of 571 adult cardiac arrest patients treated with TTM.
• Defined prolonged LOS as stay beyond the 75th percentile.
• Analyzed clinical variables, comorbidities, and neurological outcomes; developed prediction models.

Main Results:

• In-hospital cardiac arrest and longer CPR duration were linked to prolonged LOS.
• Comorbidities including heart failure, COPD, and CKD were significant risk factors.
• A predictive model using discharge parameters demonstrated high accuracy (AUC 0.840-0.896) for prolonged LOS.

Conclusions:

• Clinically relevant risk factors for prolonged LOS post-TTM were identified.
• A validated prediction model can aid in anticipating extended hospital stays.
• Findings support improved clinical decision-making for cardiac arrest patients receiving TTM.