Intermediate Care Units: A Survey of Organization Practices Across the United States.
J Intensive Care Med
; 35(5): 468-471, 2020 May.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-29431046
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE:
Intermediate care units (IMCUs) represent an alternative care setting with nurse staffing levels between those of the general ward and the intensive care unit (ICU). Despite rising prevalence, little is known about IMCU practices across US hospitals. The purpose of this study is to characterize utilization patterns and assess for variation. MATERIALS ANDMETHODS:
A 14-item survey was distributed to a random nationwide sample of pulmonary and critical care physicians between January and April 2017.RESULTS:
A total of 51 physicians from 24 different states completed the survey. Each response represented a unique institution, the majority of which were public (59%), academic (73%), and contained at least 1 IMCU (65%). Of the IMCUs surveyed, 58% operated as 1 mixed unit that admitted medical, cardiac, and surgical patients as opposed to having separate subspecialty units. Ninety-one percent of units admitted step-down patients from the ICU, but 39% of units accepted a mix of step-up patients, step-down patients, postoperative patients, and patients from the emergency department. Intensivists managed care in 21% of units whereas 36% had no intensivist involvement.CONCLUSION:
Organization practices vary considerably between IMCUs across institutions. The impact of different organization practices on patient outcomes should be assessed.Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Banco de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Médicos
/
Pautas de la Práctica en Medicina
/
Cuidados Críticos
/
Utilización de Instalaciones y Servicios
/
Instituciones de Cuidados Intermedios
Tipo de estudio:
Risk_factors_studies
Límite:
Humans
País/Región como asunto:
America do norte
Idioma:
En
Revista:
J Intensive Care Med
Asunto de la revista:
TERAPIA INTENSIVA
Año:
2020
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Estados Unidos