Admission and Mortality Patterns in Intensive Care Delivery at Enugu State University of Science and Technology Teaching Hospital: A Three-Year Retrospective Study

Abstract

BackgroundThe intensive care unit (ICU) provides critical care to high-risk patients to prevent morbidity and mortality. This requires closer monitoring and better management than the care provided to patients in normal admission wards and non-critical care units. Mortality rates in ICUs in developing countries are remarkably high compared to rates in more developed countries. Evaluating outcomes of treatment is a way to improve the quality of care. Therefore, this study was conducted to review the pattern of admission and outcome in the

The Pattern of Admission, Clinical Characteristics, and Outcomes Among Patients Admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of a Tertiary Hospital in Tanzania: A 5-Year Retrospective Review

“…Our study did not report on the acuity of patients on admission, which may differ from one setting to the other, thus making it difficult to precisely compare mortality rates. Our in-ICU mortality rates are similar when compared to developed countries in Northern America and Europe 7 , 21–23 as well as in some parts of Asia. 24 , 25 …”

“…similar when compared to developed countries in Northern America and Europe 7,[21][22][23] as well as in some parts of Asia. 24,25 Globally, septic shock is the leading cause of death among adults admitted to the ICU and the results of our study also reflected a similar trend.…”

“…4 Our study results depict a very low ICU mortality rate when compared to similar studies done in Tanzania 2,3 and other countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. [5][6][7][8][9][16][17][18] The discrepancy can be chiefly attributed to the level of care that the hospital provides, which is comparable in various ways to facilities in High-Income Countries (HICs). The ICU of the Aga Khan Hospital Dar-es-Salaam is a well-structured and resourceful unit run by a multidisciplinary team able to provide level III care 1 to all its admitted patients.…”

“…1 Mortality in ICUs remains high even with the utility of the latest and most costly equipment. ICU mortality in many African countries [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9] both in the public and private sector, is markedly high and exceeds by multiple folds when compared to ICUs in High-Income Countries (HICs). 1,7,10 Documented ICU mortality rates exceeds; 25% in Ethiopia, 5 35% in Tanzania 2,3 and Uganda 9 and approaches 60% in Kenya.…”

“…ICU mortality in many African countries [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9] both in the public and private sector, is markedly high and exceeds by multiple folds when compared to ICUs in High-Income Countries (HICs). 1,7,10 Documented ICU mortality rates exceeds; 25% in Ethiopia, 5 35% in Tanzania 2,3 and Uganda 9 and approaches 60% in Kenya. 6 Over the past two decades, ICU care in the developed world has noticeably improved in technologies and the quality of care it can provide, resulting in an improved survival rate.…”