Abstract
Background
Management of critically ill patients is a challenge in low resource settings where
there is a paucity of trained staff, infrastructure, resources, and drugs. We aimed
to study the characteristics of surgical patients admitted in intensive care unit
in a limited resource setting and determine factors associated with mortality.
Methods
This was a cross-sectional observational study of all surgical patients admitted to
the intensive care unit of a tertiary referral hospital in Rwanda. Data included demographics,
diagnosis, management, and outcomes. Logistic regression was used to determine factors
associated with mortality.
Results
Over a 7-month period, there were 126 surgical patients admitted to the intensive
care unit. Common diagnoses included head injury (n = 55, 44%), peritonitis (n = 33, 26%), brain tumor (n = 15, 12%), and trauma (n = 15, 12%). The overall mortality was 47% with the highest mortality seen in patients
with peritonitis (76%). Factors associated with mortality on intensive care unit admission
included hypotension (odds ratio, 12.50; 95% confidence interval, 3.04, 51.32) and
having any comorbidity (odds ratio 5.69, 95% confidence interval, 1.58, 20.50).
Conclusion
Surgical patients admitted to the intensive care unit bear a significant mortality.
Common surgical intensive care unit diagnoses include head injury and peritonitis.
We recommend a review of the admission policy to optimize utility of the intensive
care unit.
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: May 28, 2019
Accepted:
April 17,
2019
Identification
Copyright
© 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
