One in four intensive care patients end up back in Scots hospital

A quarter of intensive care patients are readmitted to hospital shortly after returning home with 'medically avoidable' factors involved in half of these cases, according to a new study.

A doctor stands at the bedside of a patient in intensive care

High levels of carer stress, difficulty understanding health and social care packages and psychological trauma all contribute to high rates of return, the findings show.

Pinpointing the reasons for unplanned readmissions is key to developing care packages that support patients at home and could save vital funds, researchers say. The study refers to patients who have had stays in intensive care units (ICU) – specialised wards that look after people who are extremely ill and need close monitoring, including patients with sepsis, and those recovering from heart attack.

Findings from more than 55,000 anonymised records from ICU patients in Scotland showed that one in four patients experienced unplanned readmissions within three months of leaving hospital. Researchers led by the University of Edinburgh interviewed 58 ICU patient volunteers and unpaid carers about their wellbeing, care services and other issues that they felt contributed to their return to hospital. Findings showed that in some cases, readmission was medically unavoidable and linked to acute illness. However, half of the patients felt their readmission was linked to a “perfect storm” of factors, including carers stress, psychological trauma after facing near- death and poor understanding of health and social care systems. Factors that were commonly mentioned by patients and carers were grouped into ten categories including poor communications between acute and community based care and inadequate psychological care.

One patient who took part in the study, said: “I’ve suffered with depression for 20 years on and off. It’s reactive depression and this whole thing has been so traumatic. When I got out of hospital it was a downward spiral…”

Another patient who was interviewed, said: “I have good support from my husband but totally rely on him. Then he wasn’t here. He had two weeks work… I was on my own. Not eating properly. I think that’s how I ended up in hospital.”

Researchers say the findings highlight the need for services to take into account complex psychological and social needs and for patients to be better supported. The study, published in the journals Thorax and BMJ Quality and Safety, was funded by the Chief Scientist Office as part of the Scottish Government Health Directorates.

Lead researcher, Professor Tim Walsh, director of the Edinburgh Critical Care Research Group at the University of Edinburgh, said: “This is a fascinating chance to learn from patients and understand avoidable reasons why they might be readmitted to hospital, so that we might spot those most at risk. Our findings show we have some way to go to improve quality of life for intensive care survivors. We have launched a further project to improve the care of the most vulnerable patients by bringing together staff and charities working in hospitals, community health and social care.”