Mortality in the surgical intensive care unit

ABSTRACT

Study of admissions to the surgical intensive care unit [SICU] at King Khalid University Hospital in Riyadh was carried out from 1982 to 1987. There were 1149 surgical admissions, of whom 96 patients died [mortality rate 8.3%]. Eighty-six patients died of multi system and organ failure [MSOF]. Sepsis appeared to be the ultimate cause of death in 54 patients of the organ failure group [62.8%]. Twenty four% of this group had positive blood cultures, and 57% had more than one positive culture site. Gram-negative bacilli and gram-positive cocci were the predominant organisms with only two positive anaerobic cultures. In this study the risk for developing sepsis starts at the age of 50, otherwise our data confirm previous studies on the influence of sepsis and MSOF on mortality in SICU. Recommendations for future improvement in patient's care and investment in antibiotic research are made