Changes in the profile of paediatric intensive care associated with centralisation.
OBJECTIVE
To compare intensive care admissions from a defined population of children in 1991 and 1999, during a period of organisational change and centralisation of paediatric intensive care.


METHODS
Two 12-month population-based audits were compared. Data were collected from hospitals in Birmingham and the surrounding districts. Denominator data were obtained from the Office for National Statistics. The place and rate of intensive care admission, the use of mechanical ventilation at admission, mortality and length of stay were compared.


METHODS
Hospitals in the West Midlands.


METHODS
All children (<15 yrs) living in Birmingham who received intensive care during the study periods.


RESULTS
The number of Birmingham resident children admitted for intensive care increased from 277 to 510 (p<0.0001) i.e. from 1.3 to 2.3 admissions per 1,000 children per year. The proportion of admissions to the principal paediatric intensive care unit increased from 60% to 90% (p<0.0001) in association with its expansion from 6 to 18 beds. Length of ICU stay decreased from 103 to 74 h (difference 29 h, 95%CI, 4.78-54.2 h, p=0.0117). Child mortality fell over this period by 34 deaths per 100,000 children (95%CI 16-51, p<0.0001). The proportion of children requiring mechanical ventilation at admission to intensive care was unchanged.


CONCLUSIONS
Centralisation by expansion of the lead centre was associated with a large increase in the numbers of children receiving intensive care consistent with an unmet need for paediatric intensive care in 1991, which may still exist. Centralisation of paediatric intensive care may have contributed to the fall in child mortality over this time period.
Pearson
G
G
Birmingham Children's Hospital, Steelhouse Lane, Birmingham B4 6NH, UK. Gale.pearson@bhamchildren.wmids.nhs.uk
Barry
P
P
Timmins
C
C
Stickley
J
J
Hocking
M
M
D001509:Bed Occupancy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D018672:Community Health Planning; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D006302:Health Services Research; D006742:Hospital Bed Capacity / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017052:Hospital Mortality / Q000639:trends; D006752:Hospital Planning / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007226:Infant Mortality / Q000639:trends; D015278:Intensive Care Units, Pediatric / Q000458:organization & administration*; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends; D008297:Male; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends*; D012041:Regional Medical Programs / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014852:Wales