• R M Wesselink, R F van Staden, and J A Leusink.
• Afd. Anesthesiologie en Intensive Care, St. Antonius Ziekenhuis, Nieuwegein.
• Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd. 1994 Nov 5;138(45):2247-51.

ObjectiveTo determine survival rates of patients treated for more than 30 days in an intensive care unit (ICU).DesignRetrospective, descriptive.SettingIntensive care unit of the St. Antonius Hospital in Nieuwegein, the Netherlands.MethodsAll patients who required more than 30 consecutive days ICU treatment between January 1985 and January 1992 were included. With the aid of a computerised data base the medical records of all patients were analysed. If discharged, their family doctor was contacted for information about survival and quality of life. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were calculated.ResultsAmong a total of 18,126 ICU admissions, 223 patients required more than 30 days ICU treatment; 25% died in the ICU; 14% died after discharge from the ICU, but still in the hospital; 31% of the patients were discharged to another hospital or nursing home. Of all patients 50% eventually reached home. Two months after ICU discharge 75% were alive, after 1 year 50%. Mean survival time was 36 months (SD: 3). Patients under 60 years of age and those who were discharged directly home had the best prognosis. 30% of the protracted IC patients could ultimately function independently at home.ConclusionsPatients who needed more than 30 days ICU treatment had a high ICU mortality; 2 months after discharge 75% were alive.

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