The role of drug-induced illness in admissions to an intensive care unit.
All patients admitted during a 33-month period to a multidisciplinary intensive care unit were prospectively studied in order to determine the incidence and severity of drug-induced illness leading to the admission. The role of underlying diseases was assessed and the avoidability of drug-induced illness considered. Out of 1651 patients, 97 (5.88%) were admitted because of drug-induced illness; 74 of these had serious underlying diseases. 13 (13.4%) of the 97 patients died, but underlying diseases accounted for 4 of the 13 fatalities. In nearly half of the cases, the drug-induced illness appeared potentially avoidable.
P
P
Trunet
I T
IT
Borda
A V
AV
Rouget
M
M
Rapin
F
F
Lhoste
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D004347:Drug Interactions; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008297:Male; D008508:Medication Errors; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors