Alliance for Pandemic Preparedness

January 20, 2021

Association of Intensive Care Unit Patient Load and Demand With Mortality Rates in US Department of Veterans Affairs Hospitals During the COVID-19 Pandemic

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Periods of increased ICU demand were associated with increased COVID-19 mortality in a cohort of 8,516 patients admitted to Veteran’s hospitals. Compared to periods of low ICU demand (<25%), the adjusted hazard ratio for all-cause mortality was 0.99 for patients treated when COVID-19 ICU demand was 25%-50%, 1.19 when demand was 50%-75%, and 1.94 when demand was 75%-100%. Mortality varied over time, with higher percentages of patients dying in March 2020 (23%) and April (25%), compared to May (16%), June (14%), July (13%), and August (13%). No association between COVID-19 ICU demand and mortality was observed for patients with COVID-19 who were not in the ICU. 

Bravata et al. (Jan 19, 2021). Association of Intensive Care Unit Patient Load and Demand With Mortality Rates in US Department of Veterans Affairs Hospitals During the COVID-19 Pandemic. JAMA Network Open. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.34266