Timing of intensive care unit admission in relation to ICU outcome.

Abstract

This study assessed the relationship between admission time (from hospital admission to ICU admission) and mortality predicted by the Mortality Prediction Model (MPM), actual mortality, and resource use. All admissions, except elective surgery patients, to the general medical/surgical ICU of a tertiary care hospital during a 24-month period were studied (n = 1,889). Patients admitted to the ICU within 1 day of hospital admission had lower predicted and actual mortality, and used fewer resources than patients admitted later. Predicted mortality was higher than actual mortality for patients admitted to the ICU early and was lower than actual mortality for later ICU admissions. Transfers had higher predicted and actual mortality, and used more resources than nontransfer patients. Time from hospital admission to ICU admission can be a potentially useful variable in models of ICU outcome.