The impact of an intensivist-model ICU on trauma-related mortality.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of an intensivist-model of critical care delivery on the risk of death following injury.


BACKGROUND
An intensivist-model of ICU care is associated with improved outcomes and less resource utilization in mixed medical and surgical ICUs. The process of trauma center verification assures a relatively high standard of care and quality assurance; thus, it is unclear what the effect of a specific model of ICU care delivery might have on trauma-related mortality.


METHODS
Using data from a large multicenter (68 centers) prospective cohort study, we evaluated the relationship between the model of ICU care (open vs. intensivist-model) and in-hospital mortality following severe injury. An intensivist-model was defined as an ICU where critically ill trauma patients were either on a distinct ICU service (led by an intensivist) or were comanaged with an intensivist (a physician board-certified in critical care).


RESULTS
After adjusting for differences in baseline characteristics, the relative risk of death in intensivist-model ICUs was 0.78 (0.58-1.04) compared with an open ICU model. The effect was greatest in the elderly [RR, 0.55 (0.39-0.77)], in units led by surgical intensivists [RR, 0.67 (0.50-0.90)], and in designated trauma centers 0.64 (0.46-0.88).


CONCLUSIONS
Care in an intensivist-model ICU is associated with a large reduction in in-hospital mortality following trauma, particularly in elderly patients who might have limited physiologic reserve and extensive comorbidity. That the effect is greatest in trauma centers and in units led by surgical intensivists suggests the importance of content expertise in the care of the critically injured. Injured patients are best cared for using an intensivist-model of dedicated critical care delivery, a criterion that should be considered in the verification of trauma centers.
Nathens
Avery B
AB
Department of Surgery, University of Washington & Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA. anathens@u.washington.edu
Rivara
Frederick P
FP
MacKenzie
Ellen J
EJ
Maier
Ronald V
RV
Wang
Jin
J
Egleston
Brian
B
Scharfstein
Daniel O
DO
Jurkovich
Gregory J
GJ
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003422:Critical Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D017052:Hospital Mortality; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000401:mortality* / Q000628:therapy*