Admission Time and Outcomes of Patients Admitted to Intensive Care Unit in a Tertiary Level Teaching Hospital

An intensive care unit (ICU) is a specialized unit within the hospital where patients who need immediate medical attention are admitted both during office hours and off hours.1 Literatures report reduced working efficiency because of long working hours, unavailability of 24/7 intensivist staffing and the absence of the same level of hospital services like laboratory investigations during off hours affecting outcome of the patients. 2-6 High intensity staffing model and shorter workhours can improve the outcome.7 However, these are not always feasible in ICUs of low and middle income countries like Nepal. Any variations in outcome depending upon time of ICU admission may impact the workforce planning, medical insurance, and healthcare policy.

The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of patients admitted to the ICU during office hours and off hours in terms of ICU mortality, duration of mechanical ventilation and length of stay.