INTENSIVE-CARE UNIT ADMISSION FOLLOWING SUCCESSFUL CARDIOPULMONARY-RESUSCITATION - RESOURCE UTILIZATION, FUNCTIONAL STATUS AND LONG-TERM SURVIVAL

A retrospective review of consecutive admissions (n = 285) to a univer sity hospital intensive care unit (ICU) following cardiopulmonary resu scitation was conducted to determine long-term outcome, length of stay (LOS), and ICU resource consumption. Ninety-four patients (33%) survi ved to hospital discharge. Hospital survivors had longer ICU LOS than non-survivors (5.1 +/- 0.8 vs, 2.8 +/- 0.4 days, P < 0.001) and longer hospital stays (22.5 +/- 3.7 vs. 2.9 +/- 1.2 days, P < 0.001). Averag e laboratory and pharmacy costs per admission were greater in hospital survivors than nonsurvivors. Most patients returned to their pre-arre st homes functionally independent and 58% of hospital survivors were a live 2 years after discharge. It is possible that attempts to appropri ately limit therapy in patients with poor prognosis may help direct re sources towards patients who will benefit.