[Electronic data processing in a surgical and medical intensive care unit]

Area of Science:

• Critical Care Medicine
• Health Informatics
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Prospective documentation of patient data in internal and surgical intensive care units (ICUs) was conducted.
• An online electronic documentation program, developed in Frankfurt, was utilized by healthcare professionals.
• Emphasis was placed on epidemiological data, clinical diagnoses, and associated costs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the practicability and integration of an online electronic documentation system in ICUs.
• To analyze epidemiological data, clinical diagnoses, and treatment costs.
• To evaluate the impact of data collection on quality management and administrative requirements.

Main Methods:

• Prospective data collection from medical and surgical ICUs in Frankfurt (since 1992) and Lüneburg (since 1994).
• Utilized an in-house developed online electronic documentation program for data entry.
• Focused on epidemiological metrics, diagnoses, length of stay, mortality, and diagnostic/therapeutic costs.

Main Results:

• Data from 2001 patients in Frankfurt showed an average ICU stay of 4.7 days and 15% mortality. Cardiac diseases were prevalent (47%), including acute myocardial infarction (10.6%).
• Long-term analysis revealed increased ICU duration and technical examinations, with stable mortality (1992-1994). A reduction in mortality for acute myocardial infarction patients was observed.
• In Lüneburg, data from 1004 patients indicated an average ICU stay of 6.4 days and 4.1% mortality. Common diagnoses included gastrointestinal neoplasia and femoral neck fractures.

Conclusions:

• Online data processing is a feasible and integrable tool for daily workflow in ICUs.
• Collected data are crucial for meeting administrative demands related to costs and quality management in modern healthcare.
• The system facilitates comprehensive analysis of patient data, supporting evidence-based practice and resource management.