The importance of differentiating between elective and emergency postoperative critical care patients

Abstract Purpose The purpose of the study is to demonstrate the importance of separately analyzing data on elective and emergency surgery patients admitted postoperatively to intensive and intermediate care units. Materials and Methods A prospective observational study was performed in a tertiary ca...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of critical care 2008-09, Vol.23 (3), p.308-316
Main Authors: Weissman, Charles, MD, Klein, Nava, BA, RN
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Age Factors
Classification
Critical Care
Critical Care - statistics & numerical data
Elective surgery
Elective Surgical Procedures - statistics & numerical data
Emergency Medical Services - statistics & numerical data
Emergency surgery
Female
Health services
Hospitals
Hospitals, University
Humans
Intensive care
Intensive Care Units
Male
Middle Aged
Mortality
Nurses
Postoperative care
Postoperative Care - statistics & numerical data
Postoperative period
Prospective Studies
Severity of Illness Index
Socioeconomic Factors
Studies
Surgery
Surgical Procedures, Operative - statistics & numerical data
Ulcers
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Summary:Abstract Purpose The purpose of the study is to demonstrate the importance of separately analyzing data on elective and emergency surgery patients admitted postoperatively to intensive and intermediate care units. Materials and Methods A prospective observational study was performed in a tertiary care university hospital to assess the demographic and clinical differences between emergency and elective surgical patients (>14 years old). Group 1 included patients transferred to a floor bed or the ambulatory surgery unit for discharge home after a short stay (12 hours). Results In groups 1 (n = 1059), there were significant differences between the elective and emergency patients. Emergency, as compared with elective group 2 (n= 1883) patients, experienced more severe preexisting illnesses (ie, had higher American Society of Anesthesiology classifications), underwent different and shorter operations, required prolonged postoperative mechanical ventilation, required longer ICU stays, and had higher mortality. Conclusions Substantial differences between elective and emergency surgery patients have important implications when conducting and reporting research on the nature, extent, and outcome of postoperative ICU care.
ISSN:0883-9441
1557-8615
DOI:10.1016/j.jcrc.2007.10.039