Past, present, and future of sustainable intensive care: narrative review and a large hospital system experience.

Healthcare systems are large contributors to global emissions, and intensive care units (ICUs) are a complex and resource-intensive component of these systems. Recent global movements in sustainability initiatives, led mostly by Europe and Oceania, have tried to mitigate ICUs' notable environmental impact with varying success. However, there exists a significant gap in the U.S. knowledge and published literature related to sustainability in the ICU. After a narrative review of the literature and related industry standards, we share our experience with a Green ICU initiative at a large hospital system in Texas. Our process has led to a 3-step pathway to inform similar initiatives for sustainable (green) critical care. This pathway involves (1) establishing a baseline by quantifying the status quo carbon footprint of the affected ICU as well as the cumulative footprint of all the ICUs in the healthcare system; (2) forming alliances and partnerships to target each major source of these pollutants and implement specific intervention programs that reduce the ICU-related greenhouse gas emissions and solid waste; and (3) finally to implement a systemwide Green ICU which requires the creation of multiple parallel pathways that marshal the resources at the grass-roots level to engage the ICU staff and institutionalize a mindset that recognizes and respects the impact of ICU functions on our environment. It is expected that such a systems-based multi-stakeholder approach would pave the way for improved sustainability in critical care.

Trends in Cancer Treatment Service Availability Across Critical Access Hospitals and Prospective Payment System Hospitals.

BACKGROUND: Rural residents experience worse cancer prognosis and access to cancer care providers than their urban counterparts. Critical access hospitals (CAHs) represent over half of all rural community hospitals. However, research on cancer services provided within CAHs is limited. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate trends in cancer services availability in urban and rural Prospective Payment System (PPS) hospitals and CAHs. DESIGN: Retrospective, time-series analysis using data from 2008 to 2017 American Hospital Association Annual Surveys. Multivariable logistic regressions were used to examine differential trends in cancer services between urban PPS, rural PPS, and CAHs, overall and among small (<25 beds) hospitals. SUBJECTS: All US acute care and cancer hospitals (4752 in 2008 to 4722 in 2017). MEASURES: Primary outcomes include whether a hospital provided comprehensive oncology services, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy each year. RESULTS: In 2008, CAHs were less likely to provide all cancer services, especially chemotherapy (30.4%) and radiation therapy (2.9%), compared with urban (64.4% and 43.8%, respectively) and rural PPS hospitals (42.0% and 23.3%, respectively). During 2008-2017, compared with similarly sized PPS hospitals, CAHs were more likely to provide oncology services and chemotherapy, but with decreasing trends. Radiation therapy availability between small PPS hospitals and CAHs did not differ. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with all PPS hospitals, CAHs offered fewer cancer treatment services and experienced a decline in service capability over time. These differences in chemotherapy services were mainly driven by hospital size, as small urban and rural PPS hospitals had lower rates of chemotherapy than CAHs. Still, the lower rates of radiotherapy in CAHs highlight disproportionate challenges facing CAHs for some specialty services.

The management of multi-morbidity in elderly patients: Ready yet for precision medicine in intensive care?

There is ongoing demographic ageing and increasing longevity of the population, with previously devastating and often-fatal diseases now transformed into chronic conditions. This is turning multi-morbidity into a major challenge in the world of critical care. After many years of research and innovation, mainly in geriatric care, the concept of multi-morbidity now requires fine-tuning to support decision-making for patients along their whole trajectory in healthcare, including in the intensive care unit (ICU). This article will discuss current challenges and present approaches to adapt critical care services to the needs of these patients.

Comparing Critical Care Admissions Among Urban Populations Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, reassessing intensive care unit (ICU) use by population should be a priority for hospitals planning for critical care resource allocation. In our study, we reviewed the impact of COVID-19 on a community hospital serving an urban region, comparing the sociodemographic distribution of ICU admissions before and during the pandemic. We executed a time-sensitive analysis to see if COVID-19 ICU admissions reflect the regional sociodemographic populations and ICU admission trends before the pandemic. Sociodemographic variables included sex, race, ethnicity, and age of adult patients (ages 18 years and older) admitted to the hospital's medical and cardiac ICUs, which were converted to COVID-19 ICUs. The time period selected was 18 months, which was then dichotomized into pre-COVID-19 admissions (December 1, 2018 to March 13, 2020) and COVID-19 ICU admissions (March 14 to May 31, 2020). Variables were compared using Fisher's exact tests and Wilcoxon tests when appropriate. During the 18-month period, 1,861 patients were admitted to the aforementioned ICUs. The mean age of the patients was 62.75 (SD 15.57), with the majority of these patients being male (52.23%), White (64.43%), and non-Hispanic/Latinx (95.75%). Differences were found in racial and ethnic distribution comparing pre-COVID-19 admissions to COVID-19 admissions. Compared with pre-COVID-19 ICU admissions, we found an increase in African American versus White admissions (P = .01) and an increase in Hispanic/Latinx versus non-Hispanic/Latinx admissions (P < .01), during the COVID-19 pandemic. During the first 3 months of admissions to COVID-19 ICUs, the number of admissions among Hispanic/Latinx and African American patients increased while the number of admissions among non-Hispanic/Latinx and White patient decreased, compared with the pre-COVID-19 period. These findings support development of strategies to enhance allocation of resources to bolster novel, equitable strategies to mitigate the incidence of COVID-19 in urban populations.

Addressing gender imbalance in intensive care.

There is a large gender gap in critical care medicine with women underrepresented, particularly in positions of leadership. Yet gender diversity better reflects the current critical care community and has multiple beneficial effects at individual and societal levels. In this Viewpoint, we discuss some of the reasons for the persistent gender imbalance in critical care medicine, and suggest some possible strategies to help achieve greater equity and inclusion. An explicit and consistent focus on eliminating gender inequity is needed until gender diversity and inclusion become the norms in critical care medicine.

Humanización de los Cuidados Intensivos: Un llamado a la acción durante y después del COVID-19 / Humanization of Critical Medicine and Intensive Care: A call for action amid and beyond COVID-19

En las últimas décadas, secundario al desarrollo científico y tecnológico, las prácticas de la medicina crítica y los cuidados intensivos se han caracterizado por alcanzar una mayor supervivencia asociada a prácticas poco humanizadas, la cual se enfoca de forma exclusiva en el manejo de una patología, dejando un vacío en importantes aspectos característicos de cada paciente y su familia. Actualmente, durante la pandemia de SARS-CoV-2, la implementación de prácticas de humanización para el paciente gravemente enfermo y sus familiares es una necesidad imperiosa para los sistemas de salud (AU)

In recent decades, due to scientific and technological development, the practices of critical care and intensive medicine have been characterized by achieving greater survival associated with practices that are not very humanized, which focuses exclusively on the management of a pathology leaving a gap in the aspects that are important for patients and relatives. Currently, during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, the implementation of humanization practices for the seriously ill patient and their families, it is a pressing need for health systems (AU)

One-year costs of intensive care in pediatric patients with traumatic brain injury.

OBJECTIVE: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of death and disability in the pediatric population. The authors assessed 1-year costs of intensive care in pediatric TBI patients. METHODS: In this retrospective multicenter cohort study of four academic ICUs in Finland, the authors used the Finnish Intensive Care Consortium database to identify children aged 0-17 years treated for TBI in ICUs between 2003 and 2013. The authors reviewed all patient health records and head CT scans for admission, treatment, and follow-up data. Patient outcomes included functional outcome (favorable outcome defined as a Glasgow Outcome Scale score of 4-5) and death within 6 months. Costs included those for the index hospitalization, rehabilitation, and social security up to 1 year after injury. To assess costs, the authors calculated the effective cost per favorable outcome (ECPFO). RESULTS: In total, 293 patients were included, of whom 61% had moderate to severe TBI (Glasgow Coma Scale [GCS] score 3-12) and 40% were ≥ 13 years of age. Of all patients, 82% had a favorable outcome and 9% died within 6 months of injury. The mean cost per patient was €48,719 ($54,557) (95% CI €41,326-€56,112). The index hospitalization accounted for 66%, rehabilitation costs for 27%, and social security costs for 7% of total healthcare costs. The ECPFO was €59,727 ($66,884) (95% CI €52,335-€67,120). A higher ECPFO was observed among patients with clinical and treatment-related variables indicative of parenchymal swelling and high intracranial pressure. Lower ECPFO was observed among patients with higher admission GCS scores and those who had epidural hematomas. CONCLUSIONS: Greater injury severity increases ECPFO and is associated with higher postdischarge costs in pediatric TBI patients. In this pediatric cohort, over two-thirds of all resources were spent on patients with favorable functional outcome, indicating appropriate resource allocation.

An anaesthetic and intensive care perspective on infection control measures for the prevention of airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2.

Guidance regarding appropriate use of personal protective equipment in hospitals is in constant flux as research into SARS-COV-2 transmission continues to develop our understanding of the virus. The risk associated with procedures classed as 'aerosol generating' is under constant debate. Current guidance is largely based on pragmatic and cautious logic, as there is little scientific evidence of aerosolization and transmission of respiratory viruses associated with procedures. The physical properties of aerosol particles which may contain viable virus have implications for the safe use of personal protective equipment and infection control protocols. As elective work in the NHS is reinstated, it is important that the implications of the possibility of airborne transmission of the virus in hospitals are more widely understood. This will facilitate appropriate use of personal protective equipment and help direct further research into the true risks of aerosolization during these procedures to allow safe streamlining of services for staff and patients.

COVID-19 and Disruptive Modifications to Cardiac Critical Care Delivery: JACC Review Topic of the Week.

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented a major unanticipated stress on the workforce, organizational structure, systems of care, and critical resource supplies. To ensure provider safety, to maximize efficiency, and to optimize patient outcomes, health systems need to be agile. Critical care cardiologists may be uniquely positioned to treat the numerous respiratory and cardiovascular complications of the SARS-CoV-2 and support clinicians without critical care training who may be suddenly asked to care for critically ill patients. This review draws upon the experiences of colleagues from heavily impacted regions of the United States and Europe, as well as lessons learned from military mass casualty medicine. This review offers pragmatic suggestions on how to implement scalable models for critical care delivery, cultivate educational tools for team training, and embrace technologies (e.g., telemedicine) to enable effective collaboration despite social distancing imperatives.

Growth and Changing Characteristics of Pediatric Intensive Care 2001-2016.

OBJECTIVES: We assessed the growth, distribution, and characteristics of pediatric intensive care in 2016. DESIGN: Hospitals with PICUs were identified from prior surveys, databases, online searching, and clinician networking. A structured web-based survey was distributed in 2016 and compared with responses in a 2001 survey. SETTING: PICUs were defined as a separate unit, specifically for the treatment of children with life-threatening conditions. PICU hospitals contained greater than or equal to 1 PICU. SUBJECTS: Physician medical directors and nurse managers. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: PICU beds per pediatric population (< 18 yr), PICU bed distribution by state and region, and PICU characteristics and their relationship with PICU beds were measured. Between 2001 and 2016, the U.S. pediatric population grew 1.9% to greater than 73.6 million children, and PICU hospitals decreased 0.9% from 347 to 344 (58 closed, 55 opened). In contrast, PICU bed numbers increased 43% (4,135 to 5,908 beds); the median PICU beds per PICU hospital rose from 9 to 12 (interquartile range 8, 20 beds). PICU hospitals with greater than or equal to 15 beds in 2001 had significant bed growth by 2016, whereas PICU hospitals with less than 15 beds experienced little average growth. In 2016, there were eight PICU beds per 100,000 U.S. children (5.7 in 2001), with U.S. census region differences in bed availability (6.8 to 8.8 beds/100,000 children). Sixty-three PICU hospitals (18%) accounted for 47% of PICU beds. Specialized PICUs were available in 59 hospitals (17.2%), 48 were cardiac (129% growth). Academic affiliation, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation availability, and 24-hour in-hospital intensivist staffing increased with PICU beds per hospital. CONCLUSIONS: U.S. PICU bed growth exceeded pediatric population growth over 15 years with a relatively small percentage of PICU hospitals containing almost half of all PICU beds. PICU bed availability is variable across U.S. states and regions, potentially influencing access to care and emergency preparedness.

Introducing early and structured rehabilitation in critical care: A quality improvement project.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the potential impact of introducing an already established and effective programme of rehabilitation within a critical care unit in a different organisation. DESIGN: Fifteen-month prospective before/after quality improvement project. SETTING: Seven-bed mixed dependency critical care unit. PARTICIPANTS: 209 patients admitted to critical care for ≥4 days. INTERVENTION: A multi-faceted quality improvement project focussed on changing structure and overcoming local barriers to increase levels of rehabilitation within critical care. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Proportion of patients mobilised within critical care, time to first mobilise and highest level of mobility achieved within critical care. RESULTS: Compared to before the quality improvement project, significantly more patients mobilised within critical care (92% vs 73%, p = 0.003). This resulted in a significant reduction in time to 1st mobilisation (2 vs 3.5 days, P < 0.001), particularly for those patients ventilated ≥4 days (3 vs 14 days) and higher mobility scores at the point of critical care discharge (Manchester mobility score 5 vs 4, p = 0.019). CONCLUSION: The results from this quality improvement project demonstrate the positive impact of introducing a programme of early and structured rehabilitation to a critical care unit within a different organisation. This could provide a framework for introducing similar programmes to other critical care units nationally.

Intensive Care Utilization in Stable Patients With ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Treated With Rapid Reperfusion.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to describe variability in intensive care unit (ICU) utilization for patients with uncomplicated ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), evaluate the proportion of these patients who developed in-hospital complications requiring ICU care, and assess whether ICU use patterns and complication rates vary across categories of first medical contact to device times. BACKGROUND: In the era of rapid primary percutaneous coronary intervention, ICUs may be overutilized as patients presenting with STEMI are less likely to develop complications requiring ICU care. METHODS: Using data from the Chest Pain-MI Registry linked to Medicare claims, the authors examined patterns of ICU utilization among hemodynamically stable patients with STEMI ≥65 years of age treated with uncomplicated primary percutaneous coronary intervention, stratified by timing of reperfusion: early (first medical contact-to-device time ≤60 min), intermediate (61 to 90 min), or late (>90 min). RESULTS: Of 19,507 patients with STEMI treated at 707 hospitals, 82.3% were treated in ICUs, with a median ICU stay of 1 day (interquartile range [IQR]: 1 to 2 days). The median FMC-to-device time was 79 min (IQR: 63 to 99 min); 22.0% of patients had early, 44.8% intermediate, and 33.2% late reperfusion. ICU utilization rates did not differ between patients with early, intermediate, and late reperfusion times (82%, 83%, and 82%; p for trend = 0.44). Overall, 3,159 patients (16.2%) developed complications requiring ICU care while hospitalized: 3.7% died, 3.7% had cardiac arrest, 8.7% shock, 0.9% stroke, 4.1% high-grade atrioventricular block requiring treatment, and 5.7% respiratory failure. Patients with longer FMC-to-device times were more likely to develop at least 1 of these complications (early 13.4%, intermediate 15.7%, and late 18.7%; p for trend <0.001; adjusted odds ratio [early as reference] for intermediate: 1.13 [95% confidence interval: 1.01 to 1.25]; adjusted odds ratio for late: 1.22 [95% confidence interval: 1.08 to 1.37]). CONCLUSIONS: Although >80% of stable patients with STEMI are treated in the ICU after primary percutaneous coronary intervention, the risk for developing a complication requiring ICU care is 16%. Implementing a risk-based triage strategy, inclusive of factors such as degree of reperfusion delay, could optimize ICU utilization for patients with STEMI.

Burn intensive care treatment over the last 30 years: Improved survival and shift in case-mix.

PURPOSE: Mortality in burn intensive care unit (ICU) has been decreasing and treatment appears to be changing. The aims of this study: (1) examine outcome in burn patients, (2) examine changes in ICU indication and (3) explore the influence of a changing case-mix. METHODS: Retrospective study in patients admitted to ICU (1987-2016). Four groups were specified: major burns (≥15% TBSA), inhalation injury with small injury (<15% TBSA, inhalation injury), watchful waiting (<15% TBSA, without inhalation injury), tender loving care (patients withheld from treatment). Logistic regression was performed to evaluate the relation between case-mix and outcome. RESULTS: Overall mortality decreased to 7%. Mortality of major burns decreased by 15%. The major burn group decreased by 36%. The inhalation injury and watchful waiting group increased by 9% and 21%. The percentage of ventilated patients increased by 14% in the major burn group. 40% of patients were ventilated in the watchful waiting group. CONCLUSIONS: After correction for case-mix, survival improved, mainly in the major burn group. Case-mix shifted towards inhalation injury and watchful waiting. Growth of the watchful waiting group is not necessarily harmful. However, the increase of mechanical ventilation could be. We suggest raising awareness for risks and consequences of mechanical ventilation.

Quantification of critical care medicine: An ICU survey.

BACKGROUND: The shortage in intensivist workforce has been long recognized but no solution has been identified. Meanwhile, fellowships in pulmonary and critical care medicine (PCCM) are expanding, other critical care medicine (CCM) programs are contracting. No explanation exists for this contradictory trend, although understanding contributory factors may lead to a solution for the shortage. The fundamental difference between PCCM and other CCM programs lies in the residency training of trainees. We tested the hypothesis that the nature of CCM practice determines its attractiveness to potential candidates. METHODS: A questionnaire-based survey was administered recording all daily activities in four different kinds of ICUs at two teaching hospitals one was public, and one was private. Activities were categorized into conventional CCM, respiratory, medical, and surgical interventions. RESULTS: The average daily census was 17.6 ± 6.6. Across two MICU, one trauma/surgical and one cardiothoracic ICU the average daily activity ranged from 152 to 203 of these CCM formed 27%-36%, respiratory 10%-13%, medical 43%-59%, and surgical 1%-15%. The combination of medical and respiratory interventions represented >50% of daily activities among all the ICUs. CONCLUSIONS: Quantitative description of ICU activities indicates that the majority of the ICU daily practice relies on medical and respiratory interventions, which may explain why PCCM remains popular.

A Survey Assessment of Perceived Importance and Methods of Maintenance of Critical Procedural Skills in Pediatric Emergency Medicine.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to delineate pediatric emergency medicine provider opinions regarding the importance of, and to ascertain existing processes by which practitioners maintain, the following critical procedural skills: oral endotracheal intubation, intraosseous line placement, pharmacologic and electrical cardioversion, tube thoracostomy, and defibrillation. METHODS: A customized survey was administered to all members of the Listserv for the American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Emergency Medicine. Perceived importance of maintaining critical pediatric procedural skills was measured using a 5-point Likert-type scale. Secondary outcomes included presence and type of mandatory training, availability of on-site backup, and perceived barriers to maintenance of skills. RESULTS: Two hundred sixty-two members (25%) responded representing 106 different institutions, 70% of freestanding children's hospitals that received graduate medical education payments in 2014, and 68% of pediatric emergency medicine fellowship programs. More than 90% of respondents felt it was either very or extremely important to maintain competency for 5 of the 6 critical procedures, but no more than 49% of respondents felt that clinical care alone provided opportunity to maintain skills. The proportion of respondents indicating no mandatory training for each critical procedural skill was as follows: oral endotracheal intubation (23%), intraosseous line placement (30%), pharmacologic cardioversion (32%), electrical cardioversion (32%), tube thoracostomy (40%), and defibrillation (32%). CONCLUSIONS: Critical procedural skills are perceived by emergency providers who care for children as extremely important to maintain. Direct care of pediatric patients likely does not provide sufficient opportunity to maintain these skills. There are widespread deficiencies relating to mandatory maintenance of critical procedural skill training.

A Qualitative Analysis of General Emergency Medicine Providers' Perceptions on Pediatric Emergency Telemedicine.

OBJECTIVE: Most children in the United States are evaluated in general emergency departments (ED), which are staffed by practitioners who care for both adults and children and may have limited pediatric resources. The application of telemedicine in pediatrics is growing and has been shown to be effective in outpatient as well as critical care settings. Telemedicine has the potential to address disparities in access to pediatric emergency care. The objective of this study was to explore experiences of general ED providers with telemedicine and their perception about a potential video telemedicine program with pediatric ED providers. METHODS: Using qualitative methods, a purposeful sample of general ED providers (attending physicians and physician assistants) in 3 Connecticut hospitals participated in audio-recorded semistructured interviews. In line with grounded theory, 3 researchers independently coded transcripts, collectively refined codes, and created themes. Data collection and analysis continued in an iterative manner, past the point of theoretical saturation. RESULTS: Eighteen general ED providers were interviewed. Three themes were identified: (a) familiarity with use in adult stroke patients but limited practical experience with telemedicine; (b) potential uses for pediatric telemedicine (guiding pediatric differential diagnosis and management, visual diagnosis, alleviating provider fears, low-frequency high-stakes events, determining disposition, assessing level of illness, and access to subspecialty consultation); and (c) limitations of telemedicine (infrequent need and implementation barriers). CONCLUSIONS: General ED providers identified 7 specific potential uses of pediatric emergency video telemedicine. However, they also identified several limitations of telemedicine in caring for pediatric emergency patients. Further studies after implementation of telemedicine program and comparing provider perceptions with actual practice may be helpful. Furthermore, studies on telemedicine's effect on patient-related outcomes and studies on cost-effectiveness might be necessary before the widespread implementation of a telemedicine program.

Changes in exhaled 13CO2/12CO2 breath delta value as an early indicator of infection in intensive care unit patients.

BACKGROUND: We have developed a new, noninvasive predictive marker for onset of infection in surgical intensive care unit (ICU) patients. The exhaled CO2/CO2 ratio, or breath delta value (BDV), has been shown to be an early marker for infection in a proof of concept human study and in animal models of bacterial peritonitis. In these studies, the BDV changes during onset and progression of infection, and these changes precede physiological changes associated with infection. Earlier diagnosis and treatment will significantly reduce morbidity, mortality, hospitalization costs, and length of stay. The objective of this prospective, observational, multicenter study was to determine the predictive value of the BDV as an early diagnostic marker of infection. METHODS: Critically ill adults after trauma or acute care surgery with an expected length of stay longer than 5 days were enrolled. The BDV was obtained every 4 hours for 7 days and correlated to clinical infection diagnosis, serum C-reactive protein, and procalcitonin levels. Clinical infection diagnosis was made by an independent endpoint committee. This trial was registered at the US National Institutes of Health (ClinicalTrials.gov) NCT02327130. RESULTS: Groups were demographically similar (n = 20). Clinical infection diagnosis was confirmed on day 3.9 ± 0.63. Clinical suspicion of infection (defined by SIRS criteria and/or new antibiotic therapy) was on day 2.1 ± 0.5 in all infected patients. However, 5 (56%) of 9 noninfected subjects also met clinical suspicion criteria. The BDV significantly increased by 1‰ to 1.7‰ on day 2.1 after enrollment (p < 0.05) in subjects who developed infections, while it remained at baseline (± 0.5‰) for subjects without infections. CONCLUSION: A BDV greater than 1.4‰ accurately differentiates subjects who develop infections from those who do not and predicts the presence of infection up to 48 hours before clinical confirmation. The BDV may predict the onset of infection and aid in distinguishing SIRS from infection, which could prompt earlier diagnosis, earlier appropriate treatment, and improve outcomes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Diagnostic test, level III.

Critical Care in the Military Health System: A 24-h Point Prevalence Study.

Background: Healthcare expenditures are a significant economic cost with critical care services constituting one of its largest components. The Military Health System (MHS) is the largest, global healthcare system of its kind. In this project, we sought to describe critical care services and the patients who receive them in the MHS. Methods: We surveyed 26 military treatment facilities (MTFs) representing 38 critical care services or intensive care units (ICUs). MTFs with multiple ICUs and critical care services responded to the survey as services (e.g., surgical or medical ICU service), whereas MTFs with only one ICU responded as a unit and gave information about all types of patients (i.e., medical and surgical). Our survey was divided into an administrative portion and a 24-h point prevalence survey of patients and patient care. The administrative portion is reported separately in this journal. The 24-h point prevalence survey collected information about all patients present in, admitted to, or discharged from participating services/units during the same 24-h period in December 2014. The survey was anonymous and protected health information was not collected. Findings: Sixteen MTFs (69%) and 27 ICU services/units (71%) returned the point prevalence survey. MTFs with >200 beds (n = 3, 22%) were categorized as "high capacity centers" (HCCs) whereas those with ≤200 beds (n = 13, 78%) were characterized as low capacity centers (LCCs). Two MTFs (one HCC and one LCC) returned only administrative data. The remaining 16 MTFs reported data about 151 patients. In all, 100 (67%) of the patients were at three HCCs during this study period. One HCC accounted for 39% (59 patients) of all patient care during this study. Most patients were cared for in mixed medical/surgical ICUs (34.4%), followed by medical (21.2%), surgical (18.5%), trauma (11.9%), cardiac (7.9%), and burn (6.0%) ICUs. The most common medical indication for admission was cardiac followed by general medical. The most common surgical indications for admission were trauma, other, and cardiothoracic surgery. The average APACHE II score of all patients across both LCCs and HCCs was 11 ± 8.1 (8 ± 7.8 vs. 13 ± 7.7 p = 0.008). The lower acuity of patients in this study is reflected in a high turnover rate, low rate of arterial and central line placements (33%), and low rates of life support (all types, 30%; mechanical ventilation only, 21.2%; noninvasive mechanic ventilation only, 7.9%; and vasoactive medications, 6.6%). Thirty-five (23.2%) patients within the study were affected by a total of 57 complications. The three most common complications experienced were acute kidney injury, bleeding, and sepsis. Discussion: This is the first detailed report about MHS critical care services and the patients receiving care. It describes a low acuity ICU patient population, concentrated at larger MTFs. This study highlights the need for the establishment of a system that allows for the continuous collection of high priority information about clinical care in the MHS in order to facilitate implementation of standardized protocols and process improvements.