Ontario study of cardiac surgery patients ties prolonged time in ICU to high risk of death, significant costs

The Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES) studied cardiac surgery patients that stayed in the intensive care unit (ICU) for 10 days or longer in Ontario. It found that 55% of patients who had cardiac surgery and then stayed in the ICU for at least 10 days after surgery were either discharged to a nursing home or died while still in hospital. These cardiac surgery patients also had a higher mortality risk the year after surgery. They also occupied more than 30% of bed days despite representing only 5% of ICU patients. The ICES also found that people who required a long ICU stay accounted for healthcare costs amounting to $100,000 more than people who were able to leave the ICU within two days of surgery. The ICES calls for more accurate risk prediction models to guide care and decision-making.