title: Readmission to paediatric intensive care unit: frequency, causes and outcome.
abstract: Readmission to intensive care units is considered to be an important quality indicator in ICU settings. This study was carried out at the paediatric intensive unit (PICU) and step down units of paediatric ward at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan, to assess the frequency, common causes and outcome of patients readmitted in PICU within 48 hours after discharge from unit. During the study period, 1022 patients were admitted in PICU, out of which 24 (2.34%) patients required readmission. Male to female ratio was 1.2:1. The mean length of stay on paediatric floor before readmission was 24 hours. Fifteen (62%) patients were readmitted due to worsening of primary condition while 9 (38%) developed new problems. Respiratory problems accounted for 15 (62.5%) of readmissions, followed by cardiovascular 4 (16.5%) and sepsis related causes 3 (12.5%). The mortality rate of readmitted patients was 21% (5/24) in this study as compared to overall PICU mortality of 122 (11.93%).
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi.
authors.forename: Muhammad Rehan
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Isra University, Hyderabad.
authors.forename: Prem Kumar
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Maheshwari
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi.
authors.forename: Sumaira
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Iram
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi.
authors.forename: Anwarul
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Haque
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Inonu University Faculty of Medicine, Division of Liver Transplantation, 44280 Malatya, Turkey.
authors.forename: Cuneyt
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kayaalp
mesh_terms: D003422:Critical Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D017052:Hospital Mortality; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D015278:Intensive Care Units, Pediatric; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D010359:Patient Readmission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019984:Quality Indicators, Health Care; D016896:Treatment Outcome