Abstract:

With increased life expectancy, developments in intensive care (IC) and applications, there has been an increase in the length of stay of patients in IC Unit (ICU) in recent years. The aim of this study was to examine factors affecting the Length of Stay (LOS) in long-term ICU (LTICU)A total of 503 patients were included and the effects of variables were evaluated such as age, gender, comorbidities, tracheostomy, nutrition, mechanical ventilator (MV) support, and bacteria produced in cultures, which were predicted to have a clinical effect on the LOS in LTICU. The mean LOS in LTICU was 47.6±52.9 days. The LOS was determined to be increased 0.408-fold in patients with tracheostomy, 0.678-fold with Proteus spp production in cultures and 0.400-fold with E. coli production (p<0.001) and nutrition with enteral tube increased the LOS 0.291-fold, however, patients with cancer had a shorter length in LTICU. (p=0.001). The median cost per patient was 30489.80(508.00; 386775.00) Turkish Liras.This study showed that the isolation of Proteus spp and E.coli in the cultures of patients and nutritional support prolonged the LOS in LTICU. By taking the necessary infection precautions in LTIC patients, the LOS and costs may be reduced.

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