Factors Related to the Length of Stay of Critically Ill Patients more than 2 Hours at the Emergency Department, Chiangrai Prachanukroh Hospital, Thailand

Abstract

Due to an increase in demand for emergency care, prolonged length of stay (LOS) in the emergency department (ED), and ED overcrowding may occur. The objective of this study was to study factors related to prolonged LOS of critically ill patients in the ED more than 2 hours. This study was a retrospective observational cohort study design. Data were gathered by reviewing medical records of critically ill patients who presented to the ED at Chiangrai Prachanukroh Hospital from July to December 2020. The data included 383 patients who had fewer than 2 hours and 390 patients who had more than 2 hours in LOS. The data were analyzed by using the exact probability test, t-test, median, IQR, and multivariable risk regression. It was found that the significant factors related to the LOS more than 2 hours were consultation to the general surgery department (RR 1.89, 95%CI=1.50–2.37, p<0.001), neurosurgery department (RR 1.67, 95%CI=1.28 –2.18, p<0.001), orthopedic department (RR 1.50, 95%CI=1.11 – 2.02, p=0.008) and laboratory investigation (RR 1.29, 95%CI=1.05–1.60, p=0.017). Meanwhile, inpatient admissions (RR 0.57, 95%CI=0.38–0.85, p=0.005) and observational room admissions (RR 0.55, 95%CI=0.33–0.89, p=0.017) were found to be protective factors in this study. Thus the significant factors related to the LOS of critically ill patients in the ED more than 2 hours were the consultation to the general surgery department, neurosurgery department, orthopedic department, and laboratory investigation.