Abstract

The aims of this retrospective cohort study were to retrieve characteristics and outcomes of older (65+) medical patients who are directly admitted to ICU from the ED and to compare these with those admitted to ICU from a ward.

Of 1396 patients, 21 (1.5%) were directly admitted to ICU and 54 (3.9%) after a delay. Blood pressure was lower and respiratory rate higher in the direct than in the delayed group. The direct group had lower mortality (28-day: 19.0 vs.

38.9%, p=0.14; 1-year: 42.9 vs. 66.7%; p=0.06), shorter length-of-stay and returned more frequently to independent living than the delayed group.

Only a fraction of older patients are admitted to ICU; directly admitted patients tend to have better outcomes.

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