Chu et al identified risk factors for intensive care unit (ICU) readmission within 7 days for a patient who had been mechanically ventilated. These can help to identify a patient who may benefit from more aggressive management. The authors are from China Medical University, Chung-Yuan Christian University and Asia University in Taichung, Taiwan.
Patient selection: age >= 17 year, discharge from ICU, status post mechanical ventilation
Risk factors with odds ratios >= 2.0:
(1) transfer for respiratory care extended stay (odds ratio 3.5 if center, 4.3 if ward)
(2) oxygen toxicity (odds ratio 4.9)
(3) pneumonia (odds ratio 2.1)
(4) ICU in a district hospital (odds ratio 2.7)
Risk factors with odds ratios 1.4 to 1.8:
(1) age (odds ratio 1.4 for 55-64 years; 1.5 for 65-74 years; 1.7 if >=75 years)
(2) subcutaneous emphysema (odds ratio 1.8)
(3) pneumothorax (odds ratio 1.6)
(4) ICU stay > 21 days (odds ratio 1.5)
(5) ICU in a regional hospital (odds ratio 1.5)
(6) Charlson comorbidity index (odds ratio 1.4 when >= 5)
