Predictors of Early and Late Unplanned Intensive Care Unit Readmission: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Abstract Purpose Intensive care unit (ICU) readmission is considered one of the major quality indicators of critical care. Reducing ICU readmission can improve patients’ outcomes and optimize health resources, but there are limited data on the predictors of unplanned ICU readmission. This study aimed to identify the risk factors associated with unplanned ICU readmission within 48 hr (early) and after 48 hr (late) from ICU discharge. Design Retrospective cohort study. Methods Data were collected from patients’ electronic medical records in a 24‐bed medical ICU at a tertiary academic medical center in Busan, South Korea. Among all the patients admitted to the medical ICU ( n = 1,033) between January 2015 and December 2017, 739 eligible patients were analyzed. A multivariable multinomial logistic regression model was conducted to identify predictors of ICU readmission. Findings Out of the 739 patients analyzed, 66 (8.9%) were readmitted to the medical ICU: 13 (1.8%) as early readmission and 53 (7.1%) as late readmission. Two significant predictors were identified for early readmission: ICU admission from the ward (odds ratio [ OR ] = 4.14; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.25, 13.67) and mechanical ventilation support >14 days ( OR = 13.25; 95% CI 1.78, 98.89). For late ICU admission, there were four risk factors: ICU admission from the ward ( OR = 2.69; 95% CI 1.44, 5.05), tracheostomy placement ( OR = 3.58; 95% CI 1.49, 8.59), mechanical ventilation support >14 days ( OR = 4.77; 95% CI 1.67, 13.63), and continuous renal replacement therapy ( OR = 4.57; 95% CI 2.42, 8.63). Conclusions To prevent unplanned ICU readmission in patients at high risk, it is necessary to investigate further the role of clinical judgment and communication within the ICU clinical team and institutional‐level support regarding ICU readmission events. Clinical Relevance Both ICU nurses and nurses in post‐ICU settings should be aware of the potential risk factors associated with early and late ICU readmission. Predictors and readmission strategies may be different for early and late readmissions. Prospective multicenter studies are needed to examine how these factors influence post‐ICU outcomes.