INTENSIVE CARE UNIT – ADMISSION PROFILE: REGIONAL HOSPITAL OF GUARABIRA, PARAÍBA, BRAZIL

Abstract

Objective: To outline a profile of admissions to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Regional Hospital of Guarabira, Paraiba state, Brazil. Method: A total of 140 patients were studied between July 1st and November 30th, 2011. The variables observed were: age, gender, diagnosis, general state, ventilation type, conscience level, time of ICU stay and hospitalization outcomes. Results are presented as mean ± standard deviation and statistical analysis were performed by Student’s t test, p-value<.05. Results: Of the 140 patients studied, 50.36 % were female. Their mean age was 65.81 years and the mean of the days of ICU stay was 5.46. A total of 65 % of patients had severe general state; 74.3 % remained in spontaneous ventilation when admitted to the ICU; 40% were conscious and oriented on admission. The key causes leading to the ICU were related to cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. The most prevalent outcome was ICU discharge (50% of cases). Conclusion: there was a greater predominance of females, both with regard to the number of ICU admissions and to the number of deaths, when compared to the male gender, but with no statistical significance. There was a prevalence of older people, representing 75% of total admissions and 85% of deaths. DESCRIPTORS: Intensive Care Unit. Health Profile. Patient Admission.