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Evaluation of the physiological variables and scoring systems at intensive care discharge as predictors of clinical deterioration and readmission: a single-centre retrospective study

Evaluation of the physiological variables and scoring systems at intensive care discharge as predictors of clinical deterioration and readmission: a single-centre retrospective study
Evaluation of the physiological variables and scoring systems at intensive care discharge as predictors of clinical deterioration and readmission: a single-centre retrospective study

Objectives We aim to determine, using routinely collected data and common scoring systems, whether parameters seen at intensive care unit (ICU) discharge can be predictive of subsequent clinical deterioration. Design/setting A single-centre retrospective study located in a tertiary hospital in the south of England. Participants 1868 patients who were admitted and discharged from ICU between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024 were screened for eligibility. A total of 1393 patients were included in the final analysis, including 122 patients who were classified in the ' deteriorated' subgroup. Interventions Assessment of vital signs, blood markers of infection and inflammation and three scoring systems (National Early Warning Score 2 (NEWS2), Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II Score and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score) taken within 24 hours prior to ICU discharge. Primary outcomes Assessment of predictors of deterioration after ICU discharge. Secondary outcomes Reasons for readmission to ICU, hospital mortality, ICU length of stay and time before readmission to ICU. Results Heart rate, conscious level (alert, voice, pain, unresponsive scale) and SOFA score were independent predictors of deterioration after ICU discharge (under the curve 0.85, CI 0.79 to 0.90, specificity 82.3%, sensitivity 79.7%) in multivariable models. Of these, a reduced level of consciousness was the most significant predictor of clinical deterioration (OR 19.6, CI 11.4 to 35.0). NEWS2 was an independent predictor for deterioration on univariable analysis. Mortality was significantly increased in patients who experienced deterioration after ICU discharge, as was ICU length of stay. Conclusions Predictive models may be useful in assisting clinicians with ICU discharge decisions. Further research is required to develop patient-tailored scoring systems that incorporate other factors that are needed for decisions around ICU discharge.

2044-6055
Terrington, Isis
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Brown, Mark
f87c84c9-8b4c-4eb8-9151-7cbd51cbb46c
Pennell, Amelia
89c38b07-0e79-4fcf-8485-84968d9f9086
Smith, Alexander
abeaf11c-5f9c-4b49-8273-ac46a3e9e028
Cox, Olivia
f282dffd-0da1-4803-9990-49286852263a
Beecham, Ryan
f930648f-5bcb-4c56-ae34-61db6d54b251
Dushianthan, Ahilanandan
013692a2-cf26-4278-80bd-9d8fcdb17751
Terrington, Isis
6ee99af3-1a4e-4a98-a5bc-2dc34eaa7bd6
Brown, Mark
f87c84c9-8b4c-4eb8-9151-7cbd51cbb46c
Pennell, Amelia
89c38b07-0e79-4fcf-8485-84968d9f9086
Smith, Alexander
abeaf11c-5f9c-4b49-8273-ac46a3e9e028
Cox, Olivia
f282dffd-0da1-4803-9990-49286852263a
Beecham, Ryan
f930648f-5bcb-4c56-ae34-61db6d54b251
Dushianthan, Ahilanandan
013692a2-cf26-4278-80bd-9d8fcdb17751

Terrington, Isis, Brown, Mark, Pennell, Amelia, Smith, Alexander, Cox, Olivia, Beecham, Ryan and Dushianthan, Ahilanandan (2025) Evaluation of the physiological variables and scoring systems at intensive care discharge as predictors of clinical deterioration and readmission: a single-centre retrospective study. BMJ Open, 15 (5), [e099352]. (doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2025-099352).

Record type: Article

Abstract

Objectives We aim to determine, using routinely collected data and common scoring systems, whether parameters seen at intensive care unit (ICU) discharge can be predictive of subsequent clinical deterioration. Design/setting A single-centre retrospective study located in a tertiary hospital in the south of England. Participants 1868 patients who were admitted and discharged from ICU between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024 were screened for eligibility. A total of 1393 patients were included in the final analysis, including 122 patients who were classified in the ' deteriorated' subgroup. Interventions Assessment of vital signs, blood markers of infection and inflammation and three scoring systems (National Early Warning Score 2 (NEWS2), Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II Score and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score) taken within 24 hours prior to ICU discharge. Primary outcomes Assessment of predictors of deterioration after ICU discharge. Secondary outcomes Reasons for readmission to ICU, hospital mortality, ICU length of stay and time before readmission to ICU. Results Heart rate, conscious level (alert, voice, pain, unresponsive scale) and SOFA score were independent predictors of deterioration after ICU discharge (under the curve 0.85, CI 0.79 to 0.90, specificity 82.3%, sensitivity 79.7%) in multivariable models. Of these, a reduced level of consciousness was the most significant predictor of clinical deterioration (OR 19.6, CI 11.4 to 35.0). NEWS2 was an independent predictor for deterioration on univariable analysis. Mortality was significantly increased in patients who experienced deterioration after ICU discharge, as was ICU length of stay. Conclusions Predictive models may be useful in assisting clinicians with ICU discharge decisions. Further research is required to develop patient-tailored scoring systems that incorporate other factors that are needed for decisions around ICU discharge.

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Accepted/In Press date: 25 April 2025
Published date: 7 May 2025
Additional Information: © Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2025. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ Group.

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 503153
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/503153
ISSN: 2044-6055
PURE UUID: 3c93eac4-24bd-458e-8487-deea84fd5dfd
ORCID for Ahilanandan Dushianthan: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0002-0165-3359

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Date deposited: 22 Jul 2025 17:00
Last modified: 22 Aug 2025 02:24

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Contributors

Author: Isis Terrington
Author: Mark Brown
Author: Amelia Pennell
Author: Alexander Smith
Author: Olivia Cox
Author: Ryan Beecham
Author: Ahilanandan Dushianthan ORCID iD

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