Incidence, risk and impact of ICU readmission on patient outcomes and resource utilisation in tertiary level ICUs in Nepal: A cohort study [version 3; peer review: 1 approved, 2 approved with reservations]

Background Readmissions to Intensive Care Units (ICUs) result in increased morbidity, mortality, and ICU resource utilisation (e.g. prolonged mechanical ventilation), and as such, is a widely utilised metric of quality of critical care. Most of the evidence on incidence, characteristics, associated...

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Main Authors: Rashan Haniffa, Jorge I F Salluh, Sushil Khanal, Arjun Karki, Diptesh Aryal, Abi Beane, Sabin Koirala, Hem Raj Paneru, Dilanthi Gamaga Dona, Subhash Prasad Acharya
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wellcome 2025-02-01
Series:Wellcome Open Research
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Online Access:https://wellcomeopenresearch.org/articles/7-272/v3
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Summary:Background Readmissions to Intensive Care Units (ICUs) result in increased morbidity, mortality, and ICU resource utilisation (e.g. prolonged mechanical ventilation), and as such, is a widely utilised metric of quality of critical care. Most of the evidence on incidence, characteristics, associated risk factors and attributable outcomes of readmission to ICU are from studies performed in high-income countries This study explores the determinants of risk attributable to ICU readmission in four ICUs in Kathmandu, Nepal. Methods The registry reported data on case mix, severity of illness, in-ICU interventions (including organ support), ICU outcome, and readmission characteristics. Data were captured in all adult patients admitted between September 2019 and February 2021. Population and ICU encounter characteristics were compared between those with and without readmission. Independent risk factors for readmission were assessed using univariate analysis. Results In total 2955 patients were included in the study. Absolute ICU readmission rate was 5.69 % (n=168) for all four ICUs. Median time from ICU discharge to readmission was 3 days (IQR=8,1). Of those readmitted, 29.17% (n=49) were discharged at night following their index admission. ICU mortality was higher following readmission to ICU(p=0.016) and mortality was increased further in patients whose primary index discharge was at night(p= 0.019). Primary diagnosis, age, and use of organ support in the first 24hrs of index admission were all independently attributable risk factors for readmission. Conclusions ICU readmission rates were adversely associated with significantly poorer outcomes, increased ICU resource utilisation. Clinical and organisational characteristics influenced risk of readmission and outcome.
ISSN:2398-502X