title: Factors associated with intensive care unit admission in patients with traumatic thoracic injury.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify factors associated with intensive care unit (ICU) admission in patients with traumatic thoracic injury.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data for consecutive patients with thoracic trauma were collected prospectively. Outcomes were requirement for ICU care and prolonged (>7 days) ICU care.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study included 1333 patients, 484 (36.3%) of whom received ICU care: 125 of these (25.8%) received prolonged ICU care. Head injury, abdominal injury, injury severity score ≥ 16, haemothorax, chest tube placement and spinal surgery were significantly associated with ICU care. Head injury, number of rib fractures, chest drain placement, spinal surgery and extremity surgery were independent risk factors for prolonged ICU care.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Associated injury factors played a more prominent role than thoracic factors in the need for ICU and prolonged ICU care. A multidisciplinary trauma team (involving neurosurgeons, abdominal surgeons, orthopaedic surgeons and thoracic surgeons) is essential for the care of patients with traumatic thoracic injury.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan, ROC.
authors.forename: Frank Cheau-Feng
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Stella Chin-Shaw
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.forename: Ruei-Yun
authors.initials: RY
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Hsiao-Chien
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Yung-Wei
authors.initials: YW
authors.lastname: Tung
authors.forename: Ming-Chih
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Chou
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010343:Patient Admission; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013124:Spinal Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Thoracic trauma; associated injury; intensive care; predictors