Causes of SICU readmission and mortality: analysis of a 6-month period

Sa？etak Our aim was to evaluate the causes, risk factors and mortality rates associated with unexpected readmission to surgical intensive care unit (ICU). We performed a retrospective analysis of all adult patients readmitted to a 10-bed Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU) between 1 October 2013 and 31 March 2014. The readmission cases were collected from the hospital electronic information system. Data collected included rates, risk factor, causes and mortality associated with unexpected readmission to surgical ICU. Among the 333 patients admitted to the SICU during a six month period, 22 (7%) were readmitted. The most common reasons for readmission in our SICU were respiratory complications (27%) and cardiovascular instability (13.6%). Factors associated with a higher risk of readmission are older age and chronic health conditions, such as arterial hypertension (54.5%) and diabetes (40.9%). The mortality rate of SICU readmission is 22.7%. Intensive care is a very important part of postoperative care for most patients who undergo major surgery. As found in our study ICU readmission has been associated with a greater risk of hospital mortality and it is therefore important to identify patients at the highest risk of readmission