Intensive and critical care

CORONA (COre ultRasOund of covid in iNtensive care and Acute medicine) study: National service evaluation of lung and heart ultrasound in intensive care patients with suspected or proven COVID-19 (2022)

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Type of publication:Journal article

Author(s):Parulekar P.; Powys-Lybbe J.; Aron J.; Knight T.; Lasserson D.; Smallwood N.; Rudge G.; *Miller A.; Peck M.

Citation:Journal of the Intensive Care Society; 2022 [epub ahead of print]

Abstract:Background: Combined Lung Ultrasound (LUS) and Focused UltraSound for Intensive Care heart (FUSIC Heart – formerly Focused Intensive Care Echocardiography, FICE) can aid diagnosis, risk stratification and management in COVID-19. However, data on its application and results are limited to small studies in varying countries and hospitals. This United Kingdom (UK) national service evaluation study assessed how combined LUS and FUSIC Heart were used in COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients during the first wave of the pandemic. Method(s): Twelve trusts across the UK registered for this prospective study. LUS and FUSIC Heart data were obtained, using a standardised data set including scoring of abnormalities, between 1st February 2020 to 30th July 2020. The scans were performed by intensivists with FUSIC Lung and Heart competency as a minimum standard. Data was anonymised locally prior to transfer to a central database. Result(s): 372 studies were performed on 265 patients. There was a small but significant relationship between LUS score >8 and 30-day mortality (OR 1.8). Progression of score was associated with an increase in 30-day mortality (OR 1.2). 30-day mortality was increased in patients with right ventricular (RV) dysfunction (49.4% vs 29.2%). Severity of LUS score correlated with RV dysfunction (p < 0.05). Change in management occurred in 65% of patients following a combined scan. Conclusion(s): In COVID-19 patients, there is an association between lung ultrasound score severity, RV dysfunction and mortality identifiable by combined LUS and FUSIC Heart. The use of 12-point LUS scanning resulted in similar risk score to 6-point imaging in the majority of cases. Our findings suggest that serial combined LUS and FUSIC Heart on COVID-19 ICU patients may aid in clinical decision making and prognostication.

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FUSIC HD. Comprehensive haemodynamic assessment with ultrasound (2022)

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Type of publication:
Journal article

Author(s):
*Miller A.; Peck M.; Clark T.; Conway H.; Olusanya S.; Fletcher N.; Aron J.; Coleman N.; Parulekar P.; Kirk-Bayley J.; Wilkinson J.N.; Wong A.; Stephens J.; Rubino A.; Attwood B.; Walden A.; Breen A.; Waraich M.; Nix C.; Hayward S.

Citation:
Journal of the Intensive Care Society. 23(3) (pp 325-333), 2022. Date of Publication: August 2022.

Abstract:
FUSIC haemodynamics (HD) – the latest Focused Ultrasound in Intensive Care (FUSIC) module created by the Intensive Care Society (ICS) – describes a complete haemodynamic assessment with ultrasound based on ten key clinical questions: 1. Is stroke volume abnormal? 2. Is stroke volume responsive to fluid, vasopressors or inotropes? 3. Is the aorta abnormal? 4. Is the aortic valve, mitral valve or tricuspid valve severely abnormal? 5. Is there systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve? 6. Is there a regional wall motion abnormality? 7. Are there features of raised left atrial pressure? 8. Are there features of right ventricular impairment or raised pulmonary artery pressure? 9. Are there features of tamponade? 10. Is there venous congestion? FUSIC HD is the first system of its kind to interrogate major cardiac, arterial and venous structures to direct time-critical interventions in acutely unwell patients. This article explains the rationale for this accreditation, outlines the training pathway and summarises the ten clinical questions. Further details are included in an online supplementary appendix.

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Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) as a ceiling of care treatment for hypoxemic respiratory failure due to COVID-19 (2021)

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Type of publication:
Journal article

Author(s):
Patrick Bradley , *Jennifer Nixon , James Wilson , James Redfern , Tarek Saba , Emily Nuttall, Thomas Bongers

Citation:
Journal of the Intensive Care Society 2021, Vol. 0(0), 1–3 [epub ahead of print]

Abstract:
Among patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 in the UK, 10% develop severe hypoxemic respiratory failure managed with invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV). Much interest has focused on non-invasive strategies to avert progression to IMV. UK guidelines recommend the use of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), including in patients for whom IMV is not appropriate. However, other nations have recommended against the use of CPAP, and within the UK, CPAP use has varied widely (personal communication). The greatest burden of COVID-19 disease is carried by older patients with comorbidities, many of whom are deemed unsuitable for IMV and critical care. However, it is unclear whether they might benefit from CPAP. The RECOVERY-RS trial is investigating the efficacy of CPAP and high-flow nasal oxygen (HFNO) in severely hypoxic patients with COVID-19, but will not complete until late 2021, and excludes patients unsuitable for IMV. Current evidence is limited to cohort studies of heterogeneous patient groups, with no published data focussing on patients for whom CPAP is the ceiling-of-care. Physicians caring for such patients, and those involved in planning the delivery of CPAP services, must balance any potential benefits of CPAP against its burden on patients, families, staff, and services. Therefore data in this patient population are urgently needed.

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Regional experiences of endotracheal intubation during the COVID-19 pandemic in The United Kingdom (2020)

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Type of publication:
Conference abstract

Author(s):
Shuker B.; Smith E.; *Checketts P.; Khan Q.

Citation:
Intensive Care Medicine Experimental; 2020; vol. 8

Abstract:
Introduction: In the United Kingdom (UK), consensus guidelines for airway management were published early in the COVID-19 pandemic making recommendations to support clinicians during this potentially challenging intervention (1). Adaptions to existing guidance for airway management in critically ill adults from the Difficult Airway Society (2) included: use of personal protective equipment (PPE), preferential use of the best skilled airway manager to maximise chance of first-pass success, avoidance of aerosol-generating procedures (such as noninvasive ventilation, high flow nasal oxygenation), and use of reliable well practiced techniques (including videolaryngoscopy where appropriate). Objective(s): Areas of the West Midlands were some of the worst affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK (3). We aimed to gain insight into the experiences of clinicians involved with airway management during the COVID-19 pandemic in this region. Method(s): An online survey was distributed to multiple centres within the West Midlands region of the UK. Clinicians who had experience of endotracheal intubation in patients with confirmed, suspected, or unknown COVID-19 status were asked to reflect upon their experience of one patient intubation. Result(s): 127 clinicians from 16 hospitals including 3 large university hospitals responded to the online survey, most were consultant grade (56.7%). Clinicians self-reported an average approximate number of pandemic intubations of 7.35 (range 1-30). When asked to reflect on a single intubation, clinicians reflected on intubations in ICU (42.5%), emergency departments (20.5%), wards (8.7%), and theatre (28.3%). Appropriate PPE was available in 96.1%. The most senior clinician available intubated in 65.4%. Clinicians reported first pass success in 93.7% of responses. Most intubators reported use of videolaryngoscopy (74.8%), however 26% reported not using this equipment regularly and 5.5% did not feel confident with their equipment. Despite a high success rate, difficulties were reported in 15.1%. The most common was desaturation. Other common difficulties included equipment or environment unfamiliarity, lack of skilled support. When asked what advice they would give to colleagues, frequently occurring themes included: ensuring familiarity with equipment, use of a checklist, use of videolaryngoscopy, and availability of a second intubator. Desire for simulation and equipment familiarisation was highlighted in multiple responses, and in one example a clinician attributed their success to a simulation session performed in the week prior. Conclusion(s): Experiences from clinicians in this region highlight the specific challenges encountered involved in airway management of patients with COVID-19, in particular highlighting the importance of advance preparation for intubation when faced with unfamiliar circumstances. Simulation sessions, use of checklists and standard operating procedures for emergency intubation may contribute to maintaining preparedness for intubation in this challenging patient group.

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Intensive care unit (ICU) referrals and admissions at a district general hospital (DGH) in light of the COVID-19 pandemic (2020)

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Type of publication:
Conference abstract

Author(s):
*Blair J.; *Naughton E.; *Pradhan N.

Citation:
Intensive Care Medicine Experimental; 2020; vol. 8

Abstract:
Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increase in ICU referrals and admissions across the UK during 2020 [1]. Intensive care beds are a limited and expensive resource and decisions on patient admission are often very challenging [2]. Proformas help to standardise documentation and decision logging during patient referrals [3]. They provide easily accessible evidence in case of a future referral and allow audit of decision-making processes. A preliminary survey of doctors working in a DGH ICU was undertaken to assess the current referral and admission process in expectation of an increased volume of work.
Objective(s): As a result of the survey, three main areas for improvement were identified: 1. To maintain a record of all ICU referrals and decision-making processes 2. To reduce the time taken for documentation of referrals and admissions 3. To improve the quality and appropriateness of referrals from parent specialities Methods: A proforma was designed for dual use as a referral and admission document. All referrals were recorded on paper and staff received training on how to apply the proforma. After assessment of each referral, irrespective of admission outcome, a completed copy of the proforma was placed in both the patient's notes and a dedicated referrals folder. After one month, a further survey was designed to assess the response postimplementation of the proforma. All referrals made over a threemonth period between April and June 2020 were audited.
Result(s): The initial survey received 12 responses. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, documentation of any referral or admission took on average 10-15 minutes. All survey participants felt that referring teams did not have a good understanding of the role of ICU care and estimated that up to 40% of all referrals received were inappropriate. The follow-up survey received 14 responses. Implementation of the proforma reduced the time taken to document a referral or admission on average by 5-10 minutes. Twelve participants found the proforma a useful aid, helping to provide clear documentation and ease communication between ICU team members. Less than 9% of the referrals made between April and June 2020 were admitted to ICU with over 32% of referrals deemed unsuitable for further escalation. Approximately 50% of referrals were made by registrars, with 13% discussed by consultants. The median age of patients referred was 67.5 and the most common reason was for respiratory deterioration.
Conclusion(s): This quality improvement project successfully reduced the time taken to document ICU referrals and admissions. Use of a proforma has provided many benefits, including standardisation of documentation, decision logging and improvement of intra-and inter-team communication. Only a small proportion of patients referred to ICU have been suitable for admission. A teaching session is being designed so that referral information can be fed-back to parent specialties. Referrals will be reaudited after this. Data analysis of this project has been limited by incomplete proforma documentation from participating users.

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A Tidal volume calculator to improve lung protective ventilation in COVID-19 related Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) (2020)

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Type of publication:
Conference abstract

Author(s):
*Blair J.; *Hester S.; Baldwin A.; Ali T.

Citation:
Intensive Care Medicine Experimental; 2020; vol. 8

Abstract:
Introduction: Routine use of lower tidal volumes (TVs) for the mechanical ventilation of patients with ARDS results in decreased mortality and increases the number of days without ventilator use [1]. Severe COVID-19 pneumonia has been associated with the development of ARDS as characterised by the Berlin definition [2]. A multi-centre preliminary audit was undertaken to identify whether ventilated COVID-19 related ARDS patients were receiving optimal TVs, as recommended by the Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine (FICM) and Intensive Care Society (ICS) ARDS management guidelines [3]. Objective(s): As a result of the audit, three main areas for improvement were identified. 1. To achieve accurate calculations for ideal body weight (IBW) and target TV 2. To improve documentation of IBW and target TV 3. To achieve TVs no greater than 6 ml/kg Methods: A 'tidal volume calculator' tool was developed using Microsoft Excel, which was simple, colour coded and kept on all Intensive Care Unit (ICU) computer desktops. This tool was designed to use height to calculate IBW and, if the patient's height was unavailable, could also be utilised to calculate height from ulna length. IBW was subsequently used to calculate a target TV. Staff received training on how to apply the tool. Two snapshot audits were carried out in April and May 2020 at two ICUs. The first was conducted prior to the tool's introduction with the second two weeks after its implementation. All patients receiving mechanical ventilation, except those spontaneously breathing, were included. Data was extracted from patient notes, charts and ventilator settings. Result(s): The initial audit included 14 patients. Six patients did not have an IBW documented. Three patients had documented IBWs that were 12 kg, 15 kg and 23 kg greater than the weight calculated using the tool, leading to increased tidal volume targets. Only three patients were achieving TVs of 4-6 ml/kg. Eleven patients were achieving a TV greater than 6 ml/kg, with two of these achieving a TV of greater than 8 ml/kg. The follow-up audit included ten patients. This revealed that all patients had an IBW clearly documented. Moreover, nine patients were achieving TVs within 4-6 ml/kg, with only one patient found to be achieving a TV greater than 6 ml/kg. Conclusion(s): This audit cycle revealed that initially adherence to lung protective ventilation and documentation of IBW was poor. In some instances, documented IBW was vastly different to the calculated IBW, suggesting that in these situations actual body weight may have been used. In a time when clinicians were being redeployed to support ICU, this simple tool was shown to support staff by clearly calculating and displaying IBW and target TV for reference. This directly led to improved adherence to lung protective ventilation and optimisation of patient care. Limitations include that no consideration was made for overall patient outcome, and only a snapshot of achieved TVs from ventilators were recorded; daily/weekly trends were not studied.

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Developing an intervention around referral and admissions to intensive care: a mixed-methods study (2019)

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Type of publication:
Journal article

Author(s):
Bassford C, Griffiths F, Svantesson M, Ryan M, Krucien N, Dale J, Rees S, Rees K, Ignatowicz A, Parsons H, Flowers N, Fritz Z, Perkins G, Quinton S, Symons S, White C, Huang H, Turner J, Brooke M, McCreedy A, Blake C & Slowther A.

Study involved patients at Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust

Citation:
Health Services and Delivery Research 2019, Vol 7, Issue 39

Abstract:
Background: Intensive care treatment can be life-saving, but it is invasive and distressing for patients receiving it and it is not always successful. Deciding whether or not a patient will benefit from intensive care is a difficult clinical and ethical challenge.
Objectives: To explore the decision-making process for referral and admission to the intensive care unit and to develop and test an intervention to improve it.
Methods: A mixed-methods study comprising (1) two systematic reviews investigating the factors associated with decisions to admit patients to the intensive care unit and the experiences of clinicians, patients and families; (2) observation of decisions and interviews with intensive care unit doctors, referring doctors, and patients and families in six NHS trusts in the Midlands, UK; (3) a choice experiment survey distributed to UK intensive care unit consultants and critical care outreach nurses, eliciting their preferences for factors used in decision-making for intensive care unit admission; (4) development of a decision-support intervention informed by the previous work streams, including an ethical framework for decision-making and supporting referral and decision-support forms and patient and family information leaflets. Implementation feasibility was tested in three NHS trusts; (5) development and testing of a tool to evaluate the ethical quality of decision-making related to intensive care unit admission, based on the assessment of patient records. The tool was tested for inter-rater and intersite reliability in 120 patient records.
Results: Influences on decision-making identified in the systematic review and ethnographic study included age, presence of chronic illness, functional status, presence of a do not attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation order, referring specialty, referrer seniority and intensive care unit bed availability. Intensive care unit doctors used a gestalt assessment of the patient when making decisions. The choice experiment showed that age was the most important factor in consultants’ and critical care outreach nurses’ preferences for admission. The ethnographic study illuminated the complexity of the decision-making process, and the importance of interprofessional relationships and good communication between teams and with patients and families. Doctors found it difficult to articulate and balance the benefits and burdens of intensive care unit treatment for a patient. There was low uptake of the decision-support intervention, although doctors who used it noted that it improved articulation of reasons for decisions and communication with patients.
Limitations: Limitations existed in each of the component studies; for example, we had difficulty recruiting patients and families in our qualitative work. However, the project benefited from a mixed-method approach that mitigated the potential limitations of the component studies.
Conclusions: Decision-making surrounding referral and admission to the intensive care unit is complex. This study has provided evidence and resources to help clinicians and organisations aiming to improve the decision-making for and, ultimately, the care of critically ill patients.
Future work: Further research is needed into decision-making practices, particularly in how best to engage with patients and families during the decision process. The development and evaluation of training for clinicians involved in these decisions should be a priority for future work.
Study registration: The systematic reviews of this study are registered as PROSPERO CRD42016039054, CRD42015019711 and CRD42015019714.
Funding: The National Institute for Health Research Health Services and Delivery Research programme. The University of Aberdeen and the Chief Scientist Office of the Scottish Government Health and Social Care Directorates fund the Health Economics Research Unit.

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Mortality of in-patient medical admissions to a DGH Critical Care Unit (2019)

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Type of publication:
Conference abstract

Author(s):
*Sunil Tailor, *Ade Adiamou, *Omu Davies, *Roger Slater

Citation:
State of the Art 2019. Intensive Care Society Conference. Birmingham December 9-12.

Abstract:
Increasing clinical demand and reorganisation of hospital services may result in “stable” medical in-patients being “cohorted” into hospital locations without ready access to critical care services on site. The NEWS tool is recognised to provide warning of deterioration and a trigger for escalation of care [1]. Current EWS tools perform well for predicting death and cardiac arrest within 48 hours, although the impact on in-hospital health outcomes and utilization of resources remains uncertain [2]. In a retrospective case review, we examined the outcome of medical patients who had been hospital in-patients for more than 48 hours, whose condition deteriorated, requiring admission to our critical care unit (Princess Royal Hospital). The aim was to identify “red flag” observations for their deterioration and to measure mortality (overall: hospital + 30-day) in this patient group. During 2016-17 we identified 51 patients, of whom 39 patients were analysed because of a complete data set. We classified 48% (19 patients )as hot: defined as having a NEWS of 5 or more on one or more occasions in the 48-hours prior to ITU admission.
52% (21 patients) were classified as warm; defined as having a NEWS no greater than 4 on one or more occasions in the 48hr prior to ITU admission.
Red flag parameters (individual score of 3) were: Respiratory rate <8 or >25; SpO2 < 91%; temperature < 35C; SBP < 90 or > 220 mmHg; HR < 40 or > 131; AVPU: VPU.
Results:

  • The most common predictive red flag indicator for ITU admission was a raised respiratory rate.
  • 11 of the 39 patients did not score any red flag indicators. The mortality of this group was 33%.
  • The mortality rate of the 39 patients was 66%. The mortality for hot and warm classifications was 71% and 46% respectively.
  • The majority (>80%) of patients were aged 51-80 years .
  • The mean duration of ITU stay was 7.4 days (warm) vs 9.5 days (hot).
  • Over the same time period, ICNARC data demonstrated that 80% of all admissions to the ITU were non-surgical; overall ITU and hospital mortality was 15.7% and 22.5% respectively.

Conclusions

  • Medical inpatients with a persistently high NEWS of 5 or more during 48 hrs prior to ITU admission had a very high 30-day mortality despite ITU care.
  • 11 patients had no red flag indicators in the 48 hours prior to ITU admission despite their subsequent deterioration.
  • There are significant resource implications in managing such patients.
  • Care must be taken in defining stability in respect of medical in-patients in order to avoid later deterioration.

Limitations: Not all patients could be analysed because of incomplete data.

References:

  1. Thompson R. National Early Warning Score (NEWS). Report of a Working Party, Royal College of Physicians,UK, July 2012.
  2. Beth Smith M, Chiovaro J, O'Neil M, et al. Early Warning System Scores for Clinical Deterioration in Hospitalized Patients: A Systemic Review. Ann Am Thorac Soc 2014; 11:1454-1465.

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Severe Hypercalcaemia in Intensive Care: An unusual cause (2019)

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Type of publication:
Conference abstract

Author(s):
*Zi Hao Reuel Heng, *Rhys Parry, *Omu Davies, *Roger Slater

Citation:
State of the Art 2019, Intensive Care Society Conference, Birmingham, December 9-12.

Abstract:
Background: Severe hypercalcemia is defined as serum calcium > 3.5 mmol/l.
Major causes of hypercalcemia in adults include primary hyperparathyroidism, milk-alkali syndrome and malignant neoplasms. Neoplasms cause hypercalcaemia either by direct invasion (metastasis) or through factors that stimulate osteoclasts (Parathyroid hormone related peptide or PTHrP). Very rarely a benign tumour can be responsible. Clinical features of hypercalcemia correlate with degree and rapidity of rise of serum calcium. Severe hypercalcemia is associated with neurological, renal and gastrointestinal symptoms.
The differential diagnosis of the cause is determined by measuring parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels.
The case: A 33-year-old woman 37/52 pregnant presented with epigastric pain, vomiting, proteinuria and hypertension and a deteriorating GCS (11/15). A CT head was normal. Blood showed hyperuricaemia and acute kidney injury. She was transferred to the operating room for caesarean section with suspected fulminating pre-eclampsia following a fall in GCS to 8. Immediately prior to general anaesthetic induction she had a generalized seizure. She was induced, intubated and commenced on IV magnesium and labetolol. Following successful delivery, a large pedunculated fibroid was noted on the left side of the uterus. She was transferred to intensive care sedated, intubated and ventilated. Routine blood testing demonstrated severe hypercalcaemia, corrected serum calcium of 5.05 mmol/l. PTH was at the lower limit at 1.3 pmol/l (normal range 1.3 – 7.6 pmol/l). Treatment consisted of IV rehydration with 0.9% sodium chloride 4 litres in 24hr, IV Pamidronate (a bisphosphonate) 60mg over 2 hours. Over the next 3 days the serum calcium returned to normal. A literature search uncovered 3 reports of benign uterine leiomyomas having been the source of ectopic PTHrP leading to hypercalcaemia [1,2,3]. In this case, the uterine fibroid was presumed to have been the source of PTHrP. Unfortunately, direct measurement of PTHrP was not possible at the time of presentation. In view of the fact that the calcium had returned to normal with medical treatment and post-delivery, it was decided to defer further surgery. The patient was successfully weaned from ventilatory support after 5 days. She was monitored and calcium remained within normal limits. 3/12 later the fibroid was removed. The histology showed a mitotically active smooth muscle leiomyoma.
Conclusion: Uterine leiomyoma can rarely be a cause of hypercalcaemia in the critically ill obstetric patient. Severe hypercalcaemia can present in a similar manner to pre-eclampsia, and can worsen pre-eclampsia. Intensivists need to be aware of this condition.
Discussion: The clinical picture was strongly suggestive of severe hypercalcaemia associated with a uterine fibroid. The history did not reveal ingestion of excessive calcium-containing antacids sufficient to cause hypercalcaemia. A hypercalcaemic crisis can occur during pregnancy; the immediate postpartum period being the most likely time,. At this time, relative dehydration and an abrupt decrease in placental transport of calcium to the foetus can coexist. Severe hypercalcaemia can rarely produce seizures, the mechanism is thought to be due to cerebro-vasospasm.
References
1.Ravakhah K, Gover A, Mukunda B. Humoral Hypercalcemia Associated with a Uterine Fibroid. Annals of Internal Medicine 1999; 130: 702.
2.Tarnawa E, Sullivan S, Underwood P et al. Severe hypercalcemia Associated with Uterine Leiomyoma in Pregnancy. Obstetrics & Gynecology 2011;117: 473-476
3.Garcha A, Gumaste P, Cherian S et al. Hypercalcemia: An Unusual Manifestation of Uterine Leiomyoma. Case Reports in Medicine 2013; Article ID 815252.

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Critical care usage after major gastrointestinal and liver surgery: a prospective, multicentre observational study (2019)

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Type of publication:
Journal article

Author(s):
Claireaux H.A.; Antoniou I.; Dean R.; Davies N.; Trecarten S.; Henderson I.; Holmes C.; Wylie J.; Shuttleworth R.H.; Jindal A.; Hughes F.; Gouda P.; McNamee L.; Fleck R.; Hanrahan M.; Karunakaran P.; Chen J.H.; Sykes M.C.; Sethi R.K.; Suresh S.; Patel P.; Patel M.; Varma R.K.; Mushtaq J.; Gundogan B.; Bolton W.; Mohan M.; Khan T.; Burke J.; Morley R.; Favero N.; Adams R.; Thirumal V.; Kennedy E.D.; Ong K.K.; Tan Y.H.; Gabriel J.; Bakhsh A.; Low J.Y.L.; Yener A.; Paraoan V.; Preece R.; Tilston T.W.; Cumber E.; Dean S.; Ross T.; McCance E.; Amin H.; Satterthwaite L.; Clement K.D.; Gratton R.; Mills E.D.; Chiu S.M.; Hung G.; Rafiq N.M.; Hayes J.D.B.; Robertson K.L.; Dynes K.; Huang H.C.; Assadullah S.; Duncumb J.W.; Moon R.D.C.; Poo S.X.; Mehta J.K.; Joshi K.R.; Callan R.; Norris J.M.; Chilvers N.J.; Keevil H.; Jull P.; Mallick S.; Elf D.; Carr L.; Player C.; Barton E.C.; Martin A.L.; Ratu S.G.; Roberts E.J.; Phan P.N.; Dyal A.R.; Rogers J.E.; Henson A.D.; Reid N.B.; Burke D.; Culleton G.; Lynne S.; Mansoor S.; Brennan C.; Blessed R.; Holloway C.; Hill A.; Goldsmith T.; Mackin S.; Kim S.; Woin E.; Brent G.; Coffin J.; Ziff O.; Momoh Z.; Debenham R.; Ahmed M.; Yong C.S.; Wan J.C.; Copley H.C.; Raut P.; Chaudhry F.I.; Nixon G.; Dorman C.; Tan R.; Kanabar S.; Canning N.; Dolaghan M.; Bell N.; McMenamin M.; Chhabra A.; Duke K.; Turner L.; Patel T.; Chew L.S.; Mirza M.; Lunawat S.; Oremule B.; Ward N.; Khan M.; Tan E.T.; Maclennan D.; McGregor R.J.; Chisholm E.G.; Griffin E.J.; Bell L.; Hughes B.A.; Davies J.; Haq H.; Ahmed H.; Ungcharoen N.; Whacha C.; Thethi R.; Markham R.M.; Lee A.H.Y.; Batt E.; Bullock N.P.; Francescon C.T.; Davies J.E.; Shafiq N.M.; Zhao J.; Vivekanantham S.; Barai I.; Allen J.L.Y.; Marshall D.C.; McIntyre C.J.; Wilson H.C.P.; Ashton A.J.; Lek C.; Behar N.; Davis-Hall M.; Seneviratne N.; Esteve L.; Sirakaya M.; Ali S.; Pope S.; Ahn J.S.; Craig-McQuaide A.; Gatfield W.A.; Leong S.; Demetri A.M.; Kerr A.L.; Rees C.; Loveday J.; Liu S.; Wijesekera M.; Maru D.; Attalla M.; Smith N.; Brown D.; Sritharan P.; Shah A.; Charavanamuttu V.; Heppenstall-Harris G.; Ng K.; Raghvani T.; Rajan N.; Hulley K.; Moody N.; Williams M.; Cotton A.; Sharifpour M.; Lwin K.N.; Bright M.; Chitnis A.R.; Abdelhadi M.; Semana A.D.; Morgan F.; Reid R.; Dickson J.; Anderson L.; McMullan R.; Ahern N.; Asmadi A.; Anderson L.B.; Boon Xuan J.L.; Crozier L.; McAleer S.; Lees D.M.; Adebayo A.A.; Das M.; Amphlett A.H.; Al-Robeye A.; Valli A.; Khangura J.; Winarski A.; Ali A.; Woodward H.; Gouldthrope C.; Turner M.; Sasapu K.; Tonkins M.; Wild J.R.L.; Robinson M.; Hardie J.; Heminway R.; Narramore R.; Ramjeeawon N.; Hibberd A.; Winslow F.; Ho W.; Chong B.F.; Lim K.; Ho S.; Crewdson J.A.; Singagireson S.; Kalra N.; Koumpa F.; Jhala H.; Soon W.C.; Karia M.; Rasiah M.G.; Xylas D.; Gilbert H.; Sundar-Singh M.; Wills J.; Akhtar S.; Patel S.; Hu L.; Brathwaite-Shirley C.; Nayee H.; Amin O.; Rangan T.; Turner E.J.H.; McCrann C.; Shepherd R.; Patel N.; Prest-Smith J.; Auyoung E.; Murtaza A.; Coates A.; Prys-Jones O.; King M.; Gaffney S.; Dewdney C.J.; Nehikhare I.; Lavery J.; Bassett J.; Davies K.; Ahmad K.; Collins A.; Acres M.; Egerton C.; Cheng K.; Chen X.; Chan N.; Sheldon A.; Khan S.; Empey J.; Ingram E.; Malik A.; Johnstone M.; Goodier R.; Shah J.P.; Giles J.E.; Sanders J.A.; McLure S.W.; Pal S.; Rangedara A.; Baker A.N.; Asbjoernsen C.A.; Girling C.; Gray L.; Gauntlett L.; Joyner C.; Qureshi S.; Mogan Y.P.; Ng J.C.K.; Kumar A.N.; Park J.H.; Tan D.; Choo K.P.; Raman K.P.; Buakuma P.; Xiao C.; Govinden S.; Thompson O.D.; Charalambos M.A.; Brown E.; Karsan R.B.; Dogra T.; Bullman L.M.; Dawson P.M.; Frank A.L.; Abid H.; Tung L.; Qureshi U.; Tahmina A.; Matthews B.W.; Harris R.T.; O'Connor A.; Mazan K.; Iqbal S.; Stanger S.A.; Thompson J.D.; Sullivan J.A.L.; Uppal E.; MacAskill A.; Bamgbose F.A.; Neophytou C.; Carroll A.F.; Rookes C.W.; Datta U.; Dhutia A.J.; Rashid S.; Ahmed N.; Lo T.; Bhanderi S.; Blore C.D.; Ahmed S.; Shaheen H.; Abburu S.; Majid S.; Abbas Z.; Talukdar S.S.; 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Ng G.S.; Wong V.; Lim A.E.; Harris L.N.; Tharmachandirar T.; Mittapalli D.; Patel V.; Lakhani M.; Bazeer H.Z.; Narwani V.; Sandhu K.K.; Wingfield L.R.; Gentry S.; Adjei H.; Bhatti M.; Braganza L.; Barnes J.; Mistry S.; Chillarge G.; Stokes S.; Cleere J.; Wadanamby S.; Bucko A.M.; Meek J.; Boxall N.; Heywood E.G.; Wiltshire J.J.; Toh C.; Ward A.E.; Shurovi B.N.; Horth D.; Patel B.Y.; Ali B.; Spencer T.; Axelson T.; Kretzmer L.; Chhina C.; Anandarajah C.; Fautz T.; Horst C.; Thevathasan A.A.; Ng J.Q.; Hirst F.; Brewer C.F.; Logan A.E.; Lockey J.W.; Forrest P.R.; Keelty N.; Wood A.D.; Springford L.R.; Avery P.; Schulz T.M.; Bemand T.P.; Howells L.; Collier H.; Khajuria A.; Tharakan R.G.; Parsons S.; Buchan A.M.; McGalliard R.J.; Mason J.D.; Cundy O.J.; Li N.; Redgrave N.A.; Watson R.P.; Pezas T.P.; Dennis Y.F.; Segall E.; Hameed M.; Lynch A.S.; Chamberlain M.; Peck F.S.; Neo Y.N.; Russell G.; Elseedawy M.; Lee S.; Foster N.L.; Soo Y.H.; Puan L.; Dennis R.; Goradia H.; Qureshi A.; Osman S.; 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Citation:
British Journal of Anaesthesia; Jan 2019; vol. 122 (no. 1); p. 42-50

Abstract:
Background: Patient selection for critical care admission must balance patient safety with optimal resource allocation. This study aimed to determine the relationship between critical care admission, and postoperative mortality after abdominal surgery. Method(s): This prespecified secondary analysis of a multicentre, prospective, observational study included consecutive patients enrolled in the DISCOVER study from UK and Republic of Ireland undergoing major gastrointestinal and liver surgery between October and December 2014. The primary outcome was 30-day mortality. Multivariate logistic regression was used to explore associations between critical care admission (planned and unplanned) and mortality, and inter-centre variation in critical care admission after emergency laparotomy. Result(s): Of 4529 patients included, 37.8% (n=1713) underwent planned critical care admissions from theatre Some 3.1% (n=86/2816) admitted to ward-level care subsequently underwent unplanned critical care admission. Overall 30-day mortality was 2.9% (n=133/4519), and the risk-adjusted association between 30-day mortality and critical care admission was higher in unplanned [odds ratio (OR): 8.65, 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.51-19.97) than planned admissions (OR: 2.32, 95% CI: 1.43-3.85). Some 26.7% of patients (n=1210/4529) underwent emergency laparotomies. After adjustment, 49.3% (95% CI: 46.8-51.9%, P<0.001) were predicted to have planned critical care admissions, with 7% (n=10/145) of centres outside the 95% CI. Conclusion(s): After risk adjustment, no 30-day survival benefit was identified for either planned or unplanned postoperative admissions to critical care within this cohort. This likely represents appropriate admission of the highest-risk patients. Planned admissions in selected, intermediate-risk patients may present a strategy to mitigate the risk of unplanned admission. Substantial inter-centre variation exists in planned critical care admissions after emergency laparotomies.

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