Abstract
Background: Some patients who are admitted to the ICU die after their discharge from the ICU. The purpose of this study was to investigate the occurrence and cause of death during hospitalization in patients who were discharged from the ICU. Methods: We retrospectively collected data for 570 patients who were admitted to our ICU between 2006 and 2008 and who did not meet the following exclusion criteria: discharge from the ICU within 48 hours; age < 18 years; re-admission to ICU; death during ICU stay; and treatment withhold. Results: 56 patients died during their hospitalization, and a multivariate analysis revealed the presence of 6 independent predictors of death after ICU discharge: admission from the ward [OR (odds ratio) = 2.69], metastatic cancer (OR = 41.0), hematologic malignancy (OR = 9.71), Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score (OR = 1.11 per point), re-intubation (OR = 5.59) and ICU discharge with mechanical ventilation (OR = 3.19). The major causes of death after ICU discharge were infection, progression of malignancy, and sudden cardiac arrest. Conclusion: About 10% of patients who were discharged from the ICU died during their hospitalization. Further evaluation of risk factors at ICU discharge is needed.
