The relationship between mortality and its time of day in intensive care unit patients

Introduction

It has been known that a lot of factors are effective on mortality in ICU. In terms of ICU organization it has also been known that staff might be effective on mortality and morbidity. The aim of our study is to compare the cases in terms of significant time periods that are followed and lost in the ICU.

Methods

Intensive care medical records between 2002 and 2005 of 242 patients (151 males and 91 females) who attended our ICU for 48 hours or more and proceeded mortally were analyzed retrospectively. Patients were subdivided into three groups according to the time at which mortality occurred: Group 1 08:00 a.m.–16:00 p.m., Group 2 16:00–24:00 p.m. and Group 3 00:00–08:00 a.m. Patients were also subdivided into two groups according to the days on which they died being the weekend and a weekday. The age, gender, primary diagnosis, ICU stay and mechanical ventilator times, APACHE II, Glasgow Coma Scale and SOFA scores, and mortality ratios of patients were taken and compared according to the time period.

Results

No statistically significant difference among the three groups was found in terms of age, gender, primary diagnosis, ICU stay and mechanical ventilator times, and APACHE II, Glasgow Coma Scale and SOFA scores. Also no statistically significant difference was found between mortalities during the weekend and a weekday.

Conclusion

A well-organized ICU can work functionally during the night-time, change of shifts and weekend. In this situation, for optimal performance, the structure and management of organization come into prominence. Our results show that in ICU patients mortality is not related to time of day when optimum situations are provided.