A Postcard Primer Prior to Mailed Fecal Immunochemical Test Among Veterans: a Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Mailed fecal immunochemical testing (FIT) programs are increasingly utilized for population-based colorectal cancer (CRC) screening. Advanced notifications (primers) are one behavioral designed feature of many mailed FIT programs, but few have tested this feature among Veterans. OBJECTIVE: To determine if an advanced notification, a primer postcard, increases completion of FIT among Veterans. DESIGN: This is a prospective, randomized quality improvement trial to evaluate a postcard primer prior to a mailed FIT versus mailed FIT alone. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 2404 Veterans enrolled for care at a large VA site that were due for average-risk CRC screening. INTERVENTION: A written postcard sent 2 weeks in advance of a mailed FIT kit that contained information on CRC screening and completing a FIT. MAIN MEASURES: Our primary outcome was FIT completion at 90 days, and our secondary outcome was FIT completion at 180 days. KEY RESULTS: Overall, unadjusted mailed FIT return rates were similar among control vs. primer arms at 90 days (27% vs. 29%, p = 0.11). Our adjusted analysis found a primer postcard did not increase FIT completion compared to mailed FIT alone (OR 1.14 (0.94, 1.37)). CONCLUSIONS: Though primers are often a standard part of mailed FIT programs, we did not find an increase in FIT completion with mailed postcard primers among Veterans. Given the overall low mailed FIT return rates, testing different ways to improve return rates is essential to improving CRC screening.

Epidemiology and risk factors for varicella zoster virus reactivation in heart transplant recipients.

Heart transplant (HT) recipients are at higher risk of varicella zoster virus (VZV) reactivation. Risk factors for VZV reactivation are currently not well defined, impeding the ability to design and implement strategies to minimize the burden of this illness in this population. Automated data extraction tools were used to retrieve data from the electronic health record (EHR) of all adult HT recipients at our center between 2010 and 2016. Information from the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network Standard Analysis and Research Files was merged with the extracted data. Potential cases were manually reviewed and adjudicated using consensus definitions. Cumulative incidence and risk factors for VZV reactivation in HT recipients were assessed by the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox modeling, respectively. In 203 HT recipients, the cumulative incidence of VZV reactivation at 8-years post-transplantation was 26.4% (95% CI: 17.8-38.0). The median time to VZV reactivation was 2.1 years (IQR, 1.5-4.1). Half (14/28) of the cases experienced post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN). Post-transplant CMV infection (HR 9.05 [95% CI: 3.76-21.77) and post-transplant pulse-dose steroids (HR 3.19 [95% CI: 1.05-9.68]) were independently associated with a higher risk of VZV reactivation in multivariable modeling. Identification of risk factors will aid in the development of targeted preventive strategies.

The use of automated data extraction tools to develop a solid organ transplant registry: Proof of concept study of bloodstream infections.

BACKGROUND: We created an electronic health record-based registry using automated data extraction tools to study the epidemiology of bloodstream infections (BSI) in solid organ transplant recipients. The overarching goal was to determine the usefulness of an electronic health record-based registry using data extraction tools for clinical research in solid organ transplantation. METHODS: We performed a retrospective single-center cohort study of adult solid organ transplant recipients from 2010 to 2015. Extraction tools were used to retrieve data from the electronic health record, which was integrated with national data sources. Electronic health records of subjects with positive blood cultures were manually adjudicated using consensus definitions. One-year cumulative incidence, risk factors for BSI acquisition, and 1-year mortality were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier method and Cox modeling, and 30-day mortality with logistic regression. RESULTS: In 917 solid organ transplant recipients the cumulative incidence of BSI was 8.4% (95% confidence interval 6.8-10.4) with central line-associated BSI as the most common source. The proportion of multidrug-resistant isolates increased from 0% in 2010 to 47% in 2015 (p = 0.03). BSI was the strongest risk factor for 1-year mortality (HR=8.44; 4.99-14.27; p<0.001). In 11 of 14 deaths, BSI was the main cause or contributory in patients with non-rapidly fatal underlying conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Our study illustrates the usefulness of an electronic health record-based registry using automated extraction tools for clinical research in the field of solid organ transplantation. A BSI reduces the 1-year survival of solid organ transplant recipients. The most common sources of BSIs in our studies are preventable.

Timing of Abdominal CT Evaluation Impacts the Diagnosis of Paraduodenal Hernia.

Internal hernias are the causes of 0.5 to 5.8 per cent of all cases of small bowel obstruction. Left paraduodenal hernia (PDH) is the most common congenital internal hernia encountered in adults. The symptoms and physical findings associated with PDH are vague and nonspecific before the onset of complicated intestinal obstruction. Diagnoses are most commonly established by CT. This case presentation and review is intended to promote clinicians' awareness of this unusual but potentially highly morbid condition, discuss CT findings associated with PDH, and illustrate the importance of timing in the acquisition of diagnostic abdominal CT scans.

Hospital-centered violence intervention programs: a cost-effectiveness analysis.

BACKGROUND: Hospital-centered violence intervention programs (HVIPs) reduce violent injury recidivism. However, dedicated cost analyses of such programs have not yet been published. We hypothesized that the HVIP at our urban trauma center is a cost-effective means for reducing violent injury recidivism. METHODS: We conducted a cost-utility analysis using a state-transition (Markov) decision model, comparing participation in our HVIP with standard risk reduction for patients injured because of firearm violence. Model inputs were derived from our trauma registry and published literature. RESULTS: The 1-year recidivism rate for participants in our HVIP was 2.5%, compared with 4% for those receiving standard risk reduction resources. Total per-person costs of each violence prevention arm were similar: $3,574 for our HVIP and $3,515 for standard referrals. The incremental cost effectiveness ratio for our HVIP was $2,941. CONCLUSION: Our HVIP is a cost-effective means of preventing recurrent episodes of violent injury in patients hurt by firearms.

BRAF mutation in papillary thyroid cancer: A cost-utility analysis of preoperative testing.

BACKGROUND: Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) with BRAF mutation carries a poorer prognosis. Prophylactic central neck dissection (CND) reduces locoregional recurrences, and we hypothesize that initial total thyroidectomy (TT) with CND in patients with BRAF-mutated PTC is cost effective. METHODS: This cost-utility analysis is based on a hypothetical cohort of 40-year-old women with small PTC [2 cm, confined to the thyroid, node(-)]. We compared preoperative BRAF testing and TT+CND if BRAF-mutated or TT alone if BRAF-wild type, versus no testing with TT. This analysis took into account treatment costs and opportunity losses. Key variables were subjected to sensitivity analysis. RESULTS: Both approaches produced comparable outcomes, with costs of not testing being lower (-$801.51/patient). Preoperative BRAF testing carried an excess expense of $33.96 per quality-adjusted life-year per patient. Sensitivity analyses revealed that when BRAF positivity in the testing population decreases to 30%, or if the overall noncervical recurrence in the population increases above 11.9%, preoperative BRAF testing becomes the more cost-effective strategy. CONCLUSION: Outcomes with or without preoperative BRAF testing are comparable, with no testing being the slightly more cost-effective strategy. Although preoperative BRAF testing helps to identify patients with higher recurrence rates, implementing a more aggressive initial operation does not seem to offer a cost advantage.

A better way to teach knot tying: a randomized controlled trial comparing the kinesthetic and traditional methods.

BACKGROUND: Knot tying is a fundamental and crucial surgical skill. We developed a kinesthetic pedagogical approach that increases precision and economy of motion by explicitly teaching suture-handling maneuvers and studied its effects on novice performance. METHODS: Seventy-four first-year medical students were randomized to learn knot tying via either the traditional or the novel "kinesthetic" method. After 1 week of independent practice, students were videotaped performing 4 tying tasks. Three raters scored deidentified videos using a validated visual analog scale. The groups were compared using analysis of covariance with practice knots as a covariate and visual analog scale score (range, 0 to 100) as the dependent variable. Partial eta-square was calculated to indicate effect size. RESULTS: Overall rater reliability was .92. The kinesthetic group scored significantly higher than the traditional group for individual tasks and overall, controlling for practice (all P < .004). The kinesthetic overall mean was 64.15 (standard deviation = 16.72) vs traditional 46.31 (standard deviation = 16.20; P < .001; effect size = .28). CONCLUSIONS: For novices, emphasizing kinesthetic suture handling substantively improved performance on knot tying. We believe this effect can be extrapolated to more complex surgical skills.

Pan computed tomography versus selective computed tomography in stable, young adults after blunt trauma with moderate mechanism: a cost-utility analysis.

BACKGROUND: Pan computed tomography (PCT) of the head, cervical spine, chest, abdomen, and pelvis is a valuable approach for rapid evaluation of severely injured blunt trauma patients. A PCT strategy has also been applied for the evaluation of patients with lower injury severity; however, the cost-utility of this approach is undetermined. The advantage of rapidly identifying all injuries via PCT must be weighed against the risk of radiation-induced cancer (RIC). Our objective was to compare the cost-utility of PCT with selective computed tomography (SCT) in the management of blunt trauma patients with low injury severity. METHODS: A Markov model-based, cost-utility analysis of a hypothetical cohort of hemodynamically stable, 30-year-old males evaluated in a trauma center after motor vehicle crash was used. CT scans are performed based on the mechanism of injury. The analysis compared PCT with SCT over a 1-year time frame with an analytic horizon over the lifespan of the patients. The possible outcomes, utilities of health states, and health care costs including RIC were derived from the published medical literature and public data. Costs were measured in US 2010 dollars, and incremental effectiveness was measured in quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) with 3% annual discounted rates. Multiway sensitivity analyses were performed on all variables. RESULTS: The total cost for blunt trauma patients undergoing PCT was $15,682 versus $17,673 for SCT. There was no difference in QALYs between the two populations (26.42 vs. 26.40). However, there was a cost savings of $75 per QALY for patients receiving PCT versus SCT ($594 per QALY vs. $669 per QALY). CONCLUSION: PCT enables surgeons to identify and rule out injuries promptly, thereby reducing the need for inpatient observation. The risk of RIC is low following a single PCT. This cost-utility analysis finds PCT based on mechanism to be a cost-effective use of resources. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Economic and value-based evaluations, level II.

Routine prophylactic central neck dissection for low-risk papillary thyroid cancer is not cost-effective.

BACKGROUND: The role of routine prophylactic central neck dissection (CND) in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) remains controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cost utility of the addition of routine CND in patients with low-risk PTC compared with total thyroidectomy (TT) alone. METHODS: A Markov model for low-risk PTC was constructed with a treatment algorithm based on the American Thyroid Association guidelines for well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma. Utilities and outcome probabilities were derived from published medical literature. US 2010 costs were examined from a society perspective using Medicare reimbursement rates and opportunity loss based on published US government data. Monte Carlo simulation and sensitivity analysis were used to examine the uncertainty of probability, cost and utility estimates. RESULTS: Initial TT alone is more cost-effective than TT with CND, resulting in a cost savings of US $5763 per patient with slightly higher effectiveness per patient (0·03 QALY) for a cost savings of $285 per QALY. Sensitivity analysis shows that TT alone offers no advantage when radioactive iodine (RAI) becomes more detrimental to a patient's state of health, when the incidence of non-neck recurrence increases above 5% in patients undergoing TT alone or decreases below 3·9% in patients undergoing TT with CND or when the rate of permanent hypocalcaemia rises above 4%. CONCLUSIONS: TT with CND is not a cost-effective strategy in low-risk PTC. Initial TT alone is favourable because of the low complication rates and low recurrence rates associated with the initial surgery. Alternative strategies such as unilateral prophylactic neck dissection require additional study to assess their cost-effectiveness.

Cost-utility analysis of prehospital spine immobilization recommendations for penetrating trauma.

BACKGROUND: The American College of Surgeons' Committee on Trauma's recent prehospital trauma life support recommendations against prehospital spine immobilization (PHSI) after penetrating trauma are based on a low incidence of unstable spine injuries after penetrating injuries. However, given the chronic and costly nature of devastating spine injuries, the cost-utility of PHSI is unclear. Our hypothesis was that the cost-utility of PHSI in penetrating trauma precludes routine use of this prevention strategy. METHODS: A Markov model based cost-utility analysis was performed from a society perspective of a hypothetical cohort of 20-year-old males presenting with penetrating trauma and transported to a US hospital. The analysis compared PHSI with observation alone. The probabilities of spine injuries, costs (US 2010 dollars), and utility of the two groups were derived from published studies and public data. Incremental effectiveness was measured in quality-adjusted life-years. Subset analyses of isolated head and neck injuries as well as sensitivity analyses were performed to assess the strength of the recommendations. RESULTS: Only 0.2% of penetrating trauma produced unstable spine injury, and only 7.4% of the patients with unstable spine injury who underwent spine stabilization had neurologic improvement. The total lifetime per-patient cost was $930,446 for the PHSI group versus $929,883 for the nonimmobilization group, with no difference in overall quality-adjusted life-years. Subset analysis demonstrated that PHSI for patients with isolated head or neck injuries provided equivocal benefit over nonimmobilization. CONCLUSION: PHSI was not cost-effective for patients with torso or extremity penetrating trauma. Despite increased incidence of unstable spine injures produced by penetrating head or neck injuries, the cost-benefit of PHSI in these patients is equivocal, and further studies may be needed before omitting PHSI in patients with penetrating head and neck injuries. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Economic and value-based evaluation, level II.

Emergency uncrossmatched transfusion effect on blood type alloantibodies.

BACKGROUND: Trauma patients receive emergency transfusions of unmatched Type O Rh-negative (Rh-) blood until matched blood is available. We hypothesized that patients given uncrossmatched blood may develop alloantibodies, placing them at risk for hemolytic transfusion reactions (HTRs). METHODS: Data regarding alloantibody profiles and HTR occurrence were collected from the records of trauma patients at our university-based trauma center who received emergency uncrossmatched blood from July 2008 to August 2010. RESULTS: A total of 132 patients received 1,570 units of packed red blood cells. Mean injury severity score was 28 ± 1.3. Forty-five (34%) patients died: 27 on hospital day 1; the remaining 18 had no evidence of HTR before death. Four Rh- female patients received Rh+ fresh frozen plasma, but none received Rh+ packed red blood cells. Three Rh- male patients received both Rh+ packed red blood cells and fresh frozen plasma, and one received Rh+ fresh frozen plasma. One patient developed anti-Rh D antibodies. None experienced HTR. One female patient had HTR from reactivation of anamnestic JK antibodies. Thirteen (33%) of 39 patients met criteria for HTR based on urinalysis and 29 (40%) of 72 patients tested met criteria for HTR based on hemoglobin and bilirubin values. Only one patient had confirmed HTR. CONCLUSION: High rates of injury recidivism in trauma patients increase the likelihood of multiple blood transfusions during their lifetime. Rh- patients who receive Rh+ blood are at risk of developing anti-Rh antibodies, putting them at risk for HTR. The conservation of Rh- blood for use in female patients may be detrimental to Rh- male patients. Laboratory diagnostic criteria for HTR are nonspecific in the trauma population and should be used with caution.

Predicting performance on the American Board of Surgery qualifying and certifying examinations: a multi-institutional study.

BACKGROUND: We sought to determine whether US Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1 score, American Board of Surgery (ABS) In-Training Examination (ABSITE) score, and other variables are associated with failing the ABS qualifying and certifying examinations. Identifying such factors may assist in the early implementation of an academic intervention for at-risk residents. DESIGN: Retrospective review. SETTING: Seventeen general surgery training programs in the western United States. PARTICIPANTS: Six hundred seven residents who graduated in 2000-2007. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: First-time pass rates on the qualifying and certifying examinations, US vs non-US medical school graduation, USMLE Steps 1 and 2 scores, ABSITE scores, operative case volume, fellowship training, residency program type, and mandatory research. RESULTS: The first-time qualifying and certifying examination pass rates for the 607 graduating residents were 78% and 74%, respectively. On multivariable analysis, scoring below the 35th percentile on the ABSITE at any time during residency was associated with an increased risk of failing both examinations (odds ratio, 0.23 [95% confidence interval, 0.08-0.68] for the qualifying examination and 0.35 [0.20-0.61] for the certifying examination), as was scoring less than 200 on the USMLE Step 1 (0.36 [0.21-0.62] for the qualifying examination and 0.62 [0.42-0.93] for the certifying examination). A mandatory research year was associated with an increased likelihood of passing the certifying examination (odds ratio, 3.3 [95% confidence interval, 1.6-6.8]). CONCLUSIONS: Residents who are more likely to fail the ABS qualifying and certifying examinations can be identified by a low USMLE Step 1 score and by poor performance on the ABSITE at any time during residency. These findings support the use of the USMLE Step 1 score in the surgical residency selection process and a formal academic intervention for residents who perform poorly on the ABSITE.

Single-contrast computed tomography for the triage of patients with penetrating torso trauma.

BACKGROUND: We have used single-contrast (intravenous contrast only) computed tomography (SCCT) for triaging hemodynamically stable patients with penetrating torso trauma. We hypothesized that SCCT safely determines the need for operative exploration. Furthermore, trauma surgeons without specialized training in body imaging can accurately apply this modality. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of patients with penetrating torso injuries at a university-based urban trauma center to establish the accuracy of SCCT in determining the need for exploratory laparotomy. The scan was considered positive or negative with respect to the need for exploratory laparotomy as documented by the attending surgeon, who may have considered the read of the on call radiologist if available. In a separate study, four trauma surgeons independently reviewed 42 SCCT scans to establish whether the scans alone could be used to determine whether operative exploration was necessary. RESULTS: Between 1997 and 2008, 306 hemodynamically stable patients with penetrating torso trauma were triaged by SCCT. Overall, SCCT predicted the need for laparotomy with 98% sensitivity and 90% specificity. The positive predictive value was 84% and the negative predictive value (NPV) was 99%. In the 222 patients with gunshot wounds, SCCT had 100% sensitivity and 100% NPV. In the 84 patients with stab wounds, SCCT had 92% sensitivity and 97% NPV. Trauma surgeon agreement in the retrospective review of 42 computed tomography scans was "nearly perfect": positive predictive value was 93% and NPV was 92% for determining the need for exploratory laparotomy surgery. CONCLUSIONS: SCCT is safe and effective for triaging hemodynamically stable patients with penetrating torso trauma. It successfully determined the need for operative intervention with appropriate clinical accuracy without the additional costs, morbidity, and delay of oral and rectal contrast. Trauma surgeons can reproducibly interpret SCCT with high-predictive accuracy as to whether patients with penetrating torso trauma require operative exploration.

Case-based multimedia program enhances the maturation of surgical residents regarding the concepts of professionalism.

INTRODUCTION: The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) has mandated that surgical residencies incorporate formal curricula in each of the 6 competencies, including professionalism. A questionnaire study was developed by the authors that aimed (1) to measure the ability of surgical residents to define components of professionalism, (2) to evaluate the efficacy of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) case-based scenarios in teaching concepts of professionalism, and (3) to determine whether postgraduate level correlates with the ability to articulate the meaning of professionalism. METHODS: Surgical residents (n = 47) were matched for PG level and were administered a questionnaire that assessed their ability to articulate concepts of professionalism after either (1) watching the ACS case-based DVD, (2) reading the ACS "Code of Professional Conduct," or (3) neither. Blinded faculty rated responses according to a scoring scale. Data were analyzed statistically to assess differences. RESULTS: Residents who watched the ACS DVD scored higher than those who did not (p = 0.096). Junior and senior residents (PG 2-5) who watched the DVD were more likely to score above the mean than interns (p = 0.095). In contrast to interns, where no differences were observed, among junior and senior residents, the proportion of participants who scored above the mean was higher in the ACS DVD group (p = 0.009). CONCLUSIONS: Surgical residents at all levels were successful in defining components of professionalism. With increased postgraduate level, they matured in their ability to extract concepts of professionalism from the multimedia case-based educational tool. The ACS DVD enhanced the comfort of residents in recognizing challenges to professionalism.

Admission serum lactate levels do not predict mortality in the acutely injured patient.

INTRODUCTION: The conventional view that admission lactate levels predict outcome in trauma patients stems from simple comparisons of mean blood levels between groups and small sample sizes. To better address this question, we performed more rigorous statistical analyses of lactate in a larger patient sample. METHODS: We prospectively collected data on admission lactate and outcomes in 5,995 patients admitted to an urban, university-based trauma center. The ability of admission lactate to predict mortality was assessed by logistic regression, calculation of positive predictive values (PPV), and measurement of areas under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. RESULTS: Differences between survivors and nonsurvivors in means of most proposed prognosticators was again demonstrated. However, the large overlap in these variables between survivors and nonsurvivors prevented clinically useful predictions. The overall PPV of elevated lactate was only 5.4%. Even in severely injured patients (Injury Severity Score >20; mortality 23%), elevated admission lactate level was a poor predictor of outcome. ROC analyses found no useful sensitivity threshold overall or after stratification by age, sex, Glasgow Coma Scale score, revised trauma score, or mechanism of injury. CONCLUSIONS: This large retrospective examination of admission lactate levels failed to show useful predictive accuracy for hospital death. Serum lactate levels need not be obtained routinely but can be reserved for patients who will be admitted to the intensive care unit and/or require an emergency operation.

Quantification of surgical resident stress "on call".

BACKGROUND: We hypothesized that surgical resident stress involves both psychologic and physiologic components that manifest as changes in heart rate (HR) and circulating white blood cell (WBC) count. The purposes of this series of experiments were to monitor HR as a measure of stress "on call"; to monitor WBC count (1,000 cells/microL) during "on call" periods as a measure of stress; and to relate maximum HR and WBC count "on call" to surgical resident training level. STUDY DESIGN: HR was continuously documented by Holter monitor for 24hours "on call" in interns (n = 6), junior residents (n = 5), and senior residents (n = 5). Interns (n = 4), junior residents (n = 4), and senior residents (n = 4) during periods devoid of clinical responsibilities served as controls. WBC counts were obtained from residents "off" and "on call" for interns (n = 5) and junior residents (n = 5). RESULTS: Mean HR "on call" increased in all resident groups as compared with controls: intern mean HR increased from 71 +/- 3 to 87 +/- 2 beats per minute (bpm) (p = 0.003), junior resident mean HR increased from 74 +/- 3 to 88 +/- 4 bpm (p = 0.03), and senior resident mean HR increased from 69 +/- 2 to 80 +/- 2 bpm (p = 0.004). Intern maximum control HR was 119 +/- 3 and increased to 149 +/- 6 bpm (p = 0.005). The increase in maximum HR (control versus "on call") did not reach significance in junior residents (123 +/- 5 to 136 +/- 6 bpm, p = 0.14) and senior residents (115 +/- 6 to 116 +/- 3 bpm, p = 0.9). WBC count in interns increased from control values of 5.2 +/- 0.6 x 1,000 cells/microL to 7.5 +/- 0.9 x 1,000 cells/microL"on call" (p = 0.005). The WBC change in juniors was not significant (control: 6.8 +/- 0.7 x 1,000 cells/microL, "on call": 7.1 +/- 0.7 x 1,000 cells/microL; p = 0.37). CONCLUSIONS: When heart rate is used as an indicator of combined physiologic and psychologic stress, surgical residents achieve stress levels of tachycardia "on call." Surgical residents also exhibit an increase in circulating WBC count "on call." Both the degree of tachycardia and the increase in WBC count are inversely related to the level of training. Senior residents cope better with stress "on call" than junior residents and interns.

Magnetic resonance cholangiography: applications in patients with calculus disease of the biliary tract.

Magnetic resonance cholangiography (MRC) is a non-invasive imaging modality that has become widely available. In the short time since its introduction, MRC has been shown to possess excellent accuracy for the diagnosis of various biliary pathologies, including choledocholithiasis. Investigations of the clinical applications of MRC are ongoing. This review summarizes the diagnostic capabilities of MRC and discusses its application in the management of patients with gallstone diseases.

Acute pancreatitis in intensive care unit patients: value of clinical and radiologic prognosticators at predicting clinical course and outcome.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the value of clinical and/or radiographic prognostic indices in predicting the clinical course and outcome of patients with acute pancreatitis, in the intensive care unit. DESIGN: Retrospective, single institution review. SETTING: An adult medical and surgical intensive care unit in a public, urban teaching hospital. PATIENTS: Patients with acute pancreatitis requiring intensive care unit admission between January 1, 1997 and June 30, 2000. INTERVENTIONS: Standard care. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A total of 477 patients were hospitalized with the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis. Of these, 28 patients (6%) were admitted to the intensive care unit. Ranson's, Imrie scores, Acute Physiologic and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II and III scores, simplified acute physiology scores, and multiple organ dysfunction scores were tabulated at 1, 2, 3, 7, and 14 days after intensive care unit admission. Abdominal computed tomography was available for review for 24 of the 28 patients (86%), where the mean Balthazar's computed tomography index was 4.5 +/- 0.4 (range = 2 to 10). Hospital mortality rate for the intensive care unit patients was 14% (4 of 28). The intensive care unit length of stay ranged from 1 to 79 days (mean 15 days, median 5 days). Fifty-seven percent of the patients developed organ dysfunction, and 36% of the patients required mechanical ventilatory support, ranging in duration from 1 to 70 days. Infectious morbidity occurred in 43% of patients. Thirty-six percent of the patients required operative intervention for intraabdominal complications. APACHE II scores at 7 days after intensive care unit admission correlated closely with ventilator days (r2 =.90; p =.003) and correlated with the occurrence of infectious complications (r2 =.71; p =.02). Patient age, APACHE III, simplified acute physiology scores, multiple organ dysfunction scores, Ranson, Imrie, computed tomography, and APACHE II scores before day 7 did not closely correlate with the occurrence of adverse clinical outcome. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical course and outcomes of intensive care unit patients with acute pancreatitis can be highly variable. An APACHE II score <10 during the initial 48 hrs correlated with mild pancreatitis and uncomplicated intensive care unit course; however, multifactorial prognosticators were not useful for the early identification of patients who developed complications or required extended intensive care unit care.