Factors Associated with ICU Mortality at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital (HUCSH)

Background: Providing acute care to critically ill patients in intensive care unit (ICU) is a global necessity, regardless of health system capacity. The objectives of the present study were to assess the reasons for admission and clinical outcomes of adult patients admitted to general ICU at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital (HUCSH). Methods: A retrospective study based on a record review of logbook and charts of 310 adult patients admitted to general ICU of HUCSH between April 2012 and April 2017. Both descriptive analysis and inferential statistics were used. Results: The average age was 41 ± 17.9 years (range: 18-100 years). Males accounted 51.6%. The average duration of stay in the ICU was 5.3 ± 6.7 days (range 1-49 days). Cardiovascular disorders were the commonest cause of admission, accounted for 22.9%, followed by neurological disorders (17.7%), and trauma related illnesses (13.9%). Among 310 adults admitted during the study period, 23.1% required mechanical ventilator support; and 5.3% developed Hospital acquired infection. In-patient mortality rate was 45.8%. In multivariate analysis, the presences of aspiration pneumonia, and need for ventilator support, acute kidney injury, hospital acquired infection, and short ICU stays were associated with ICU mortality. Conclusion: The present study indicates high prevalence of ICU mortality among adults admitted to HUCSH during the study period. ICU mortality was associated with the presences of renal failure, hospital acquired infections, aspiration pneumonia and the need for mechanical ventilator.