Effect of the critical care outreach team on patient survival to discharge from hospital and readmission to critical care: non-randomised population based study.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effect of the critical care outreach team on patient survival to discharge from hospital after discharge from critical care and readmission to critical care.


METHODS
Non-randomised population based study.


METHODS
Tertiary referral teaching hospital with 1200 beds.


METHODS
Patients discharged from the critical care unit after their first or only admission for two study periods, 26 February 2000 to 25 February 2001 and 26 February 2001 to 25 February 2002.


METHODS
Survival to discharge from hospital after discharge from critical care and readmission to critical care.


RESULTS
The introduction of a critical care outreach team improved survival to discharge from hospital after discharge from critical care by 6.8% (risk ratio 1.08). Readmission to critical care decreased by 6.4% (0.48).


CONCLUSIONS
The activity of the critical care outreach team seems to improve patient survival to discharge from hospital and may reduce the number of readmissions to critical care.
Critical Care Unit, Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust, London NW3 2QG. carol.ball@royalfree.nhs.uk
Carol
C
Ball
Margaret
M
Kirkby
Susan
S
Williams
D000359:Aftercare / Q000458:organization & administration; D000368:Aged; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D003422:Critical Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D016638:Critical Illness / Q000401:mortality*; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D017052:Hospital Mortality; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010359:Patient Readmission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*