Publication: Epidemiology of Critically Ill Patients in Intensive Care Units in Dhulikhel Hospital, Nepal: a retrospective observational study
Date
2025
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kathmandu University
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Background
Critical care involves the management of acutely ill patients at risk of organ failure.
The burden of critical illness is a major public health concerns, particularly in low and
middle income countries like Nepal where access to intensive care services is limited.
Objective
To identify the clinical profile of patients admitted to the Level III Intensive Care Unit
at Dhulikhel Hospital.
Method
Data over a period of six months were collected from the ICU registry. Severity and
mortality risks were assessed using APACHE II and eTropics scoring systems. Clinical
profiles and outcomes were analyzed using SPSS version 25. An independent samples
t test was used to compare continuous variables between two independent groups.
A p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Result
A total of 486 patients were included in the study, of whom 57% were male . The
median age was 55 years (IQR: 41-69). Most patients were admitted from the
emergency room (52.7%). Patients with medical conditions had a higher ICU admission
compared to surgical patients. The majority of patients (63.6%) were transferred to
the ward followed by discharge to home (16.2%). Non routine discharges included
treatment withdrawal in 89 (18.3%) and patient leaving against medical advice 53
patients (11%). The overall mortality rate was 11.3%.
Conclusion
This study shows that most admissions were male, with median age of 55 years and
medical cases were more prevalent than surgical cases. The observed mortality rate
may underestimate mortality due to high rate of treatment withdrawal discharges.
KEY WORDS
Critically ill patient, Epidemiology, Intensive care unit, Outcome
Description
Kharbuja K,1 Ranjit S,1 Aryal D,2-4 Sapkota P,1 Paudyal G,1 Bajracharya A,1 Pasachhen S,1 Bhusal S5
1Dhulikhel Hospital
Dhulikhel, Kavre, Nepal
2Nepal Intensive Care Research Foundation Kathmandu, Nepal
3IDOR - D’Or Institute for research and Education
Rio de janeiro, Brazil
4Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit
Bangkok, Thailand
5Department of Anaesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine
National Academy of Medical Sciences
Kathmandu, Nepal
Keywords
Critically ill patient, Epidemiology, Intensive care unit, Outcome