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[Results of long-term intensive care in 223 patients]
R M Wesselink1, R F van Staden, J A Leusink
1Afd. Anesthesiologie en Intensive Care, St. Antonius Ziekenhuis, Nieuwegein.
Objective:
To determine survival rates of patients treated for more than 30 days in an intensive care unit (ICU).
Design:
Retrospective, descriptive.
Setting:
Intensive care unit of the St. Antonius Hospital in Nieuwegein, the Netherlands.
Methods:
All patients who required more than 30 consecutive days ICU treatment between January 1985 and January 1992 were included. With the aid of a computerised data base the medical records of all patients were analysed. If discharged, their family doctor was contacted for information about survival and quality of life. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were calculated.
Results:
Among a total of 18,126 ICU admissions, 223 patients required more than 30 days ICU treatment; 25% died in the ICU; 14% died after discharge from the ICU, but still in the hospital; 31% of the patients were discharged to another hospital or nursing home. Of all patients 50% eventually reached home. Two months after ICU discharge 75% were alive, after 1 year 50%. Mean survival time was 36 months (SD: 3). Patients under 60 years of age and those who were discharged directly home had the best prognosis. 30% of the protracted IC patients could ultimately function independently at home.
Conclusions:
Patients who needed more than 30 days ICU treatment had a high ICU mortality; 2 months after discharge 75% were alive.