Diagnostic accuracy of ePOS score in predicting DNR labeling after ICU admission: A prospective observational study (ePOS-DNR).

Background: Resuscitation can sometimes be futile and making a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) decision is in the best interest of the patient. The electronic poor outcome screening (ePOS) score was developed to predict 6-month poor outcomes of critically ill patients. We explored the diagnostic accuracy of the ePOS score in predicting DNR decisions in the intensive care unit (ICU). Methods: This study was conducted at the ICU of a tertiary referral hospital in Saudi Arabia between March and May 2023. Prospectively, we calculated ePOS scores for all eligible consecutive admissions after 48 h in the ICU and recorded the DNR orders. The ability of the score to predict DNR was explored using logistic regression. Youden's ideal cut-off value was calculated using the DeLong method, and different diagnostic accuracy measures were generated with corresponding 95 % confidence intervals (CIs). Results: We enrolled 857 patients, 125 received a DNR order and 732 did not. The average ePOS score of DNR and non-DNR patients was 28.2±10.7 and 15.2±9.7, respectively. ePOS score, as a predictor of DNR order, had an area under receiver operator characteristic (AUROC) curve of 81.8 % (95% CI: 79.0 to 84.3, P <0.001). Youden's ideal cut-off value >17 was associated with a sensitivity of 87.2 (95% CI: 80.0 to 92.5, P <0.001), specificity of 63.9 (95% CI: 60.3 to 67.4, P <0.001), positive predictive value of 29.2 (95% CI: 24.6 to 33.8, P <0.001), negative predictive value of 96.7 (95% CI: 95.1 to 98.3, P <0.001), and diagnostic odds ratio 12.1 (95% CI: 7.0 to 20.8, P <0.001). Conclusions: In this study, the ePOS score performed well as a diagnostic test for patients who will be labeled as DNR during their ICU stay. A cut-off score >17 may help guide clinical decisions to withhold or commence resuscitative measures.

Tele-Rapid Response Team (Tele-RRT): The effect of implementing patient safety network system on outcomes of medical patients-A before and after cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Rapid Response Teams were developed to provide interventions for deteriorating patients. Their activation depends on timely detection of deterioration. Automated calculation of warning scores may lead to early recognition, and improvement of RRT effectiveness. METHOD: This was a "Before" and "After" study, in the "Before" period ward nurses activated RRT after manually recording vital signs and calculating warning scores. In the "After" period, vital signs and warning calculations were automatically relayed to RRT through a wireless monitoring network. RESULTS: When compared to the before group, the after group had significantly lower incidence and rate of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) (2.3 / 1000 inpatient days versus 3.8 / 1000 inpatient days respectively, p = 0.01), significantly shorter length of hospital stay and lower hospital mortality, but significantly higher number of RRT activations. In multivariable logistic regression model, being in the "After" group decreases odds of CPR by 33% (OR = 0.67 [95% CI: 0.46-0.99]; p = 0.04). There was no difference between groups in ICU admission. CONCLUSION: Automated activation of the RRT significantly reduced CPR events and rates, improved CPR success rate, reduced hospital length of stay and mortality, but increased the number of RRT activations. There were no differences in unplanned ICU admission or readmission.

Early Versus Late DNR Orders and its Predictors in a Saudi Arabian ICU: A Descriptive Study.

Background: Practices of Do-Not-Resuscitate (DNR) orders show discrepancies worldwide, but there are only few such studies from Saudi Arabia. Objective: To describe the practice of DNR orders in a Saudi Arabian tertiary care ICU. Methods: This retrospective study included all patients who died with a DNR order at the ICU of King Saud Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, between January 1 to December 31, 2021. The percentage of early DNR (i.e., ≤48 hours of ICU admission) and late DNR (>48 hours) orders were determined and the variables between the two groups were compared. The determinants of late DNR were also investigated. Results: A total of 723 cases met the inclusion criteria, representing 14.9% of all ICU discharges and 63% of all ICU deaths during the study period. The late DNR group comprised the majority of the cases (78.3%), and included significantly more patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), community acquired pneumonia (CAP), acute kidney injury, and COVID-19, and significantly fewer cases of readmissions and malignancies. Septic shock lowered the odds of a late DNR (OR = 0.4, 95% CI: 0.2-0.9;P= 0.02), while ARDS (OR = 3.3, 95% CI: 2-5.4;P < 0.001), ischemic stroke (OR = 2.5, 95% CI: 1.1-5.4;P= 0.02), and CAP (OR = 2, 95% CI: 1.3-3.1;P= 0.003) increased the odds of a late DNR. Conclusion: There was a higher frequency of late DNR orders in our study compared to those reported in several studies worldwide. Cases with potential for a favorable outcome were more likely to have a late DNR order, while those with expected poorer outcomes were more likely to have an early DNR order. The discrepancies highlight the need for clearer guidelines to achieve consistency.

Delayed intensive care unit admission from the emergency department: impact on patient outcomes. A retrospective study. / Retardo na transferência do pronto-socorro para a unidade de terapia intensiva: impacto nos desfechos do paciente. Um estudo retrospectivo.

OBJECTIVE: To study the impact of delayed admission by more than 4 hours on the outcomes of critically ill patients. METHODS: This was a retrospective observational study in which adult patients admitted directly from the emergency department to the intensive care unit were divided into two groups: Timely Admission if they were admitted within 4 hours and Delayed Admission if admission was delayed for more than 4 hours. Intensive care unit length of stay and hospital/intensive care unit mortality were compared between the groups. Propensity score matching was performed to correct for imbalances. Logistic regression analysis was used to explore delayed admission as an independent risk factor for intensive care unit mortality. RESULTS: During the study period, 1,887 patients were admitted directly from the emergency department to the intensive care unit, with 42% being delayed admissions. Delayed patients had significantly longer intensive care unit lengths of stay and higher intensive care unit and hospital mortality. These results were persistent after propensity score matching of the groups. Delayed admission was an independent risk factor for intensive care unit mortality (OR = 2.6; 95%CI 1.9 - 3.5; p < 0.001). The association of delay and intensive care unit mortality emerged after a delay of 2 hours and was highest after a delay of 4 hours. CONCLUSION: Delayed admission to the intensive care unit from the emergency department is an independent risk factor for intensive care unit mortality, with the strongest association being after a delay of 4 hours.

OBJETIVO: Estudar o impacto do retardo na admissão à unidade de terapia intensiva em mais do que 4 horas nos desfechos de pacientes críticos. MÉTODOS: Este foi um estudo observacional retrospectivo, no qual pacientes adultos admitidos diretamente do pronto-socorro para a unidade de terapia intensiva foram divididos em dois grupos: Tempo Adequado, se admitidos dentro de 4 horas, e Admissão Retardada, nos casos em que a admissão demorou mais do que 4 horas para ocorrer. Compararam-se, entre os grupos, o tempo de permanência na unidade de terapia intensiva e a taxa de mortalidade na unidade de terapia intensiva e no hospital. Foi realizado pareamento por escore de propensão para correção de desequilíbrios. Utilizou-se uma análise de regressão logística para explorar retardo da admissão como fator independente de risco para mortalidade na unidade de terapia intensiva. RESULTADOS: Durante o período do estudo, 1.887 pacientes foram admitidos diretamente do pronto-socorro para a unidade de terapia intensiva, sendo que 42% dessas admissões foram retardadas. Os pacientes com retardo tiveram permanências na unidade de terapia intensiva significantemente mais longas e maior mortalidade na unidade de terapia intensiva e no hospital. Esses resultados persistiram após pareamento dos grupos por escore de propensão. O retardo da admissão foi fator independente de risco para mortalidade na unidade de terapia intensiva (RC = 2,6; IC95% 1,9 - 3,5; p < 0,001). A associação de retardo e mortalidade na unidade de terapia intensiva surgiu após período de retardo de 2 horas e foi mais alta após período de retardo de 4 horas. CONCLUSÃO: O retardo da admissão do pronto-socorro para a unidade de terapia intensiva é fator de risco independente para mortalidade na unidade de terapia intensiva, sendo a associação mais forte após retardo de 4 horas.

Retardo na transferência do pronto-socorro para a unidade de terapia intensiva: impacto nos desfechos do paciente. Um estudo retrospectivo / Delayed intensive care unit admission from the emergency department: impact on patient outcomes. A retrospective study

RESUMO Objetivo: Estudar o impacto do retardo na admissão à unidade de terapia intensiva em mais do que 4 horas nos desfechos de pacientes críticos. Métodos: Este foi um estudo observacional retrospectivo, no qual pacientes adultos admitidos diretamente do pronto-socorro para a unidade de terapia intensiva foram divididos em dois grupos: Tempo Adequado, se admitidos dentro de 4 horas, e Admissão Retardada, nos casos em que a admissão demorou mais do que 4 horas para ocorrer. Compararam-se, entre os grupos, o tempo de permanência na unidade de terapia intensiva e a taxa de mortalidade na unidade de terapia intensiva e no hospital. Foi realizado pareamento por escore de propensão para correção de desequilíbrios. Utilizou-se uma análise de regressão logística para explorar retardo da admissão como fator independente de risco para mortalidade na unidade de terapia intensiva. Resultados: Durante o período do estudo, 1.887 pacientes foram admitidos diretamente do pronto-socorro para a unidade de terapia intensiva, sendo que 42% dessas admissões foram retardadas. Os pacientes com retardo tiveram permanências na unidade de terapia intensiva significantemente mais longas e maior mortalidade na unidade de terapia intensiva e no hospital. Esses resultados persistiram após pareamento dos grupos por escore de propensão. O retardo da admissão foi fator independente de risco para mortalidade na unidade de terapia intensiva (RC = 2,6; IC95% 1,9 - 3,5; p < 0,001). A associação de retardo e mortalidade na unidade de terapia intensiva surgiu após período de retardo de 2 horas e foi mais alta após período de retardo de 4 horas. Conclusão: O retardo da admissão do pronto-socorro para a unidade de terapia intensiva é fator de risco independente para mortalidade na unidade de terapia intensiva, sendo a associação mais forte após retardo de 4 horas.

Abstract Objective: To study the impact of delayed admission by more than 4 hours on the outcomes of critically ill patients. Methods: This was a retrospective observational study in which adult patients admitted directly from the emergency department to the intensive care unit were divided into two groups: Timely Admission if they were admitted within 4 hours and Delayed Admission if admission was delayed for more than 4 hours. Intensive care unit length of stay and hospital/intensive care unit mortality were compared between the groups. Propensity score matching was performed to correct for imbalances. Logistic regression analysis was used to explore delayed admission as an independent risk factor for intensive care unit mortality. Results: During the study period, 1,887 patients were admitted directly from the emergency department to the intensive care unit, with 42% being delayed admissions. Delayed patients had significantly longer intensive care unit lengths of stay and higher intensive care unit and hospital mortality. These results were persistent after propensity score matching of the groups. Delayed admission was an independent risk factor for intensive care unit mortality (OR = 2.6; 95%CI 1.9 - 3.5; p < 0.001). The association of delay and intensive care unit mortality emerged after a delay of 2 hours and was highest after a delay of 4 hours. Conclusion: Delayed admission to the intensive care unit from the emergency department is an independent risk factor for intensive care unit mortality, with the strongest association being after a delay of 4 hours.

COVID-19 in a patient with a flare of systemic lupus erythematosus: A rare case-report.

This is a rare case-report of a young female with systemic lupus erythematosus and end-stage kidney disease (on maintenance hemodialysis) who was admitted to our intensive care unit due to life-threatening COVID-19. The patient was diagnosed with a flare of lupus; while being on maintenance hydroxychloroquine therapy. However, after the administration of steroids she made an uneventful recovery and was discharged home. In this report, the diagnostic dilemmas and the therapeutic challenges due to the overlapping clinical, imaging, and laboratory findings between lupus and COVID-19 pneumonitis are outlined. In conclusion, patients with lupus may be affected by COVID-19 despite the administration of hydroxychloroquine. The administration of steroids may have a beneficial effect on mitigating both the flare of SLE and the COVID-19 associated hyperinflammation.

COVID-19 in a patient with active tuberculosis: A rare case-report.

Scarce data exist about the clinical features of COVID-19 in patients with concomitant active and/or latent tuberculosis (TB). This rare case-report outlines the diagnosis, management and outcome of a sixty year old hypertensive and diabetic patient with serious COVID-19 pneumonia and underlying active TB. The patient was treated successfully in a COVID-19 designated intensive care unit in Saudi Arabia.

Modified Early Warning Score as a predictor of intensive care unit readmission within 48 hours: a retrospective observational study. / Modified Early Warning Score como preditor de readmissão à unidade de terapia intensiva dentro de 48 horas: um estudo observacional retrospectivo.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the hypothesis that the Modified Early Warning Score (MEWS) at the time of intensive care unit discharge is associated with readmission and to identify the MEWS that most reliably predicts intensive care unit readmission within 48 hours of discharge. METHODS: This was a retrospective observational study of the MEWSs of discharged patients from the intensive care unit. We compared the demographics, severity scores, critical illness characteristics, and MEWSs of readmitted and non-readmitted patients, identified factors associated with readmission in a logistic regression model, constructed a Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve of the MEWS in predicting the probability of readmission, and presented the optimum criterion with the highest sensitivity and specificity. RESULTS: The readmission rate was 2.6%, and the MEWS was a significant predictor of readmission, along with intensive care unit length of stay > 10 days and tracheostomy. The ROC curve of the MEWS in predicting the readmission probability had an AUC of 0.82, and a MEWS > 6 carried a sensitivity of 0.78 (95%CI 0.66 - 0.9) and specificity of 0.9 (95%CI 0.87 - 0.93). CONCLUSION: The MEWS is associated with intensive care unit readmission, and a score > 6 has excellent accuracy as a prognostic predictor.

Modified Early Warning Score como preditor de readmissão à unidade de terapia intensiva dentro de 48 horas: um estudo observacional retrospectivo / Modified Early Warning Score as a predictor of intensive care unit readmission within 48 hours: a retrospective observational study

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar a hipótese de que o Modified Early Warning Score (MEWS) por ocasião da alta da unidade de terapia intensiva associa-se com readmissão, e identificar o nível desse escore que prediz com maior confiabilidade a readmissão à unidade de terapia intensiva dentro de 48 horas após a alta. Métodos: Este foi um estudo observacional retrospectivo a respeito do MEWS de pacientes que receberam alta da unidade de terapia intensiva. Comparamos dados demográficos, escores de severidade, características da doença crítica e MEWS de pacientes readmitidos e não readmitidos. Identificamos os fatores associados com a readmissão em um modelo de regressão logística. Construímos uma curva Característica de Operação do Receptor para o MEWS na predição da probabilidade de readmissão. Por fim, apresentamos o critério ideal com maior sensibilidade e especificidade. Resultados: A taxa de readmissões foi de 2,6%, e o MEWS foi preditor significante de readmissão, juntamente do tempo de permanência na unidade de terapia intensiva acima de 10 dias e traqueostomia. A curva Característica de Operação do Receptor relativa ao MEWS para predizer a probabilidade de readmissão teve área sob a curva de 0,82, e MEWS acima de 6 teve sensibilidade de 0,78 (IC95% 0,66 - 0,9) e especificidade de 0,9 (IC95% 0,87 - 0,93). Conclusão: O MEWS associa-se com readmissão à unidade de terapia intensiva, e o escore acima de 6 teve excelente precisão como preditor prognóstico.

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the hypothesis that the Modified Early Warning Score (MEWS) at the time of intensive care unit discharge is associated with readmission and to identify the MEWS that most reliably predicts intensive care unit readmission within 48 hours of discharge. Methods: This was a retrospective observational study of the MEWSs of discharged patients from the intensive care unit. We compared the demographics, severity scores, critical illness characteristics, and MEWSs of readmitted and non-readmitted patients, identified factors associated with readmission in a logistic regression model, constructed a Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve of the MEWS in predicting the probability of readmission, and presented the optimum criterion with the highest sensitivity and specificity. Results: The readmission rate was 2.6%, and the MEWS was a significant predictor of readmission, along with intensive care unit length of stay > 10 days and tracheostomy. The ROC curve of the MEWS in predicting the readmission probability had an AUC of 0.82, and a MEWS > 6 carried a sensitivity of 0.78 (95%CI 0.66 - 0.9) and specificity of 0.9 (95%CI 0.87 - 0.93). Conclusion: The MEWS is associated with intensive care unit readmission, and a score > 6 has excellent accuracy as a prognostic predictor.