[Frequency of hospitalization in intensive care units of community hospitals]

One thousand eight hundred and eighty-eight patients were hospitalized and treated at the Intensive Care Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Zabok General Hospital between January 1, 1990 and December 12, 1994. The majority of patients were admitted because of cardiovascular diseases (59.3%), gastrointestinal diseases (14.0%), metabolic diseases (5.1%), chronic obstructive lung disorders (4.6%), allergy and shock. The results show that the average treatment time of patients with cardiovascular diseases was 4.6 days, gastrointestinal diseases 3.2 days and metabolic diseases 4.2 days. The average age for males was 58 years and for females 64 years. We conclude that even hospitals with moderate equipment may provide a quick and proper medical care for critically ill patients.