title: [The need for "intermediate" intensive care units. Epidemiologic study in a metropolitan area].
abstract: 2710 patients were admitted during 1988 to 14 ICU of a crowded urban area. No Intermediate ICU facilities were available. We determined the need and the likely patient turnover of such an ICU. 29% of the admitted patients and 9% of the days spent in the ICU would be due of an sub-intensive ICU (only 60-30% of the expected turnover) and 54% of the admitted patients (70% of the intensively treated patients) would be feasible for the post-intensive-ICU. 82% of the case mix would be admitted by the intermediate ICU with a length of ICU stay 21-28% of the total stay. 56-68% of this time spent in intermediate ICU would be utilized by post-intensive patients. The increased patient turnover would allow the admission of 566-806 intensive patient/year that means the most urgent need in ICM today is to increase the number of intermediate ICU.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000458:organization & administration*; D007558:Italy; D008875:Middle Aged
vernacular_title: Fabbisogno di unità intensive "intermedie". Studio epidemiologico in aree metropolitane. Gruppo Italiano Ricerche in Terapia Intensiva (GIRTI).