A “Code ICU” expedited review of critically ill patients is associated with reduced emergency department length of stay and duration of mechanical ventilation

摘要

Abstract Purpose To examine the effect of a system of expedited review of critically ill patients in the Emergency Department (ED) on ED length of stay (LOS) and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) outcomes. Materials and methods Retrospective cohort study at a tertiary hospital comparing two 12-month periods before and after implementation of a ‘Code ICU’ system of expedited review of critically ill patients in the ED. All adult ED to ICU admissions were included. Separate analyses were performed for patients intubated prior to ICU admission. Results 622 and 629 patients were included in each time period. During the intervention period more patients had ED LOS Conclusions A system of rapid review of critically ill patients in the ED was associated with reduced ED LOS and improved ICU outcomes. Highlights ? A system of expedited ICU referral of critically ill ED patients is described ('Code ICU'). ? The 'Code ICU' system was associated with an increased proportion of patients admitted to ICU from ED within 240min. ? Intubated patients had a shorter duration of ventilation and ICU length of stay following 'Code ICU' referral.