Background
Intensive care units (ICUs) play a crucial role in healthcare but face challenges in terms of resource availability and allocation. This is especially evident in low-resource regions such as Ethiopia, where ICUs are scarce and often lack the necessary resources for proper data recording. Although progress has been made in improving healthcare infrastructure in Ethiopia, significant gaps remain in meeting national and global healthcare goals, especially in tertiary care services. This study conducted a retrospective review of ICU records at public tertiary-level facilities in Addis Ababa between January 15 and March 17, 2022. This study aimed to gain insight into disease conditions, identify strategies to reduce preventable deaths, and develop programs to improve patient outcomes.
Results
The study reviewed 65 patient records from varying age groups, from 11 months to 97 years, with a mean age of 48 years. Most patients (35%) were older than 60 years. Nonoperative patients (71%) were the most common reason for admission, with the remainder being operative patients. The primary systems leading to ICU admission were the respiratory (19%), neurological (18%), and cardiovascular (12%) systems. Most patients required mechanical ventilation, and endotracheal intubation (ETI) was the most common method used (58.5%). Among the 65 patients, the cause of death was recorded in 46 of the records. The most frequently documented causes of death were septic shock (23.9%), and cardiorespiratory arrest (17.4%).
Conclusion
This mortality review of ICU-admitted patients in Addis Ababa offers valuable insights into the primary causes of ICU admission and the comorbidities that contribute to ICU mortality. This study emphasizes the necessity of evidence-based protocols to improve patient outcomes in the ICU and the importance of understanding the underlying factors that contribute to ICU mortality. Further research could focus on identifying risk factors for septic shock and cardiorespiratory arrest in ICU patients to develop targeted interventions for prevention and treatment
