Reducing unplanned medical intensive care unit admissions by the critical care outreach team: a quality improvement report.

Abstract

Unplanned admissions to the intensive care unit (ICU) are frequently associated with an increased risk of hospital mortality, greater severity of illness and extended hospital stay. A leading cause of unplanned ICU admission is delayed recognition of a deteriorating patient. The aim of the project was to reduce the rate of unplanned medical ICU admissions by implementing an active surveillance programme through proactive rounding.