The Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES) studied cardiac surgery patients that stayed in the intensive care unit (ICU) for 10 days or longer in Ontario. It found that 55% of patients who had cardiac surgery and then stayed in the ICU for at least 10 days after surgery were either discharged to a nursing home or died while still in hospital. These cardiac surgery patients also had a higher mortality risk the year after surgery. They also occupied more than 30% of bed days despite representing only 5% of ICU patients. The ICES also found that people who required a long ICU stay accounted for healthcare costs amounting to $100,000 more than people who were able to leave the ICU within two days of surgery. The ICES calls for more accurate risk prediction models to guide care and decision-making.
NBHC Care Experience