Effective use of regional intensive therapy units.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effectiveness of regional intensive therapy units.


METHODS
Retrospective and prospective study of patients transferred to a regional intensive therapy unit over four years.


METHODS
Glasgow regional intensive therapy unit.


METHODS
Severity of illness was assessed at the time of referral to the unit with the acute physiological and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) scoring system. Mortality was calculated.


RESULTS
A significant association was found between increasing duration of illness before transfer and mortality, which was independent of the severity of illness. Mortality also varied depending on the referring hospital.


CONCLUSIONS
When transfer of critically ill patients is required this should be done as early as possible to make best use of the services available. The mortality of patients transferred after 10 days casts doubt on whether further aggressive intensive therapy is appropriate.
Purdie
J A
JA
Division of Anaesthesia, Western Infirmary, Glasgow.
Ridley
S A
SA
Wallace
P G
PG
D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009026:Mortality; D010360:Patient Transfer / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012606:Scotland / Q000453:epidemiology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors