Chayboyer W, Thalib L, Foster M, Ball C, Richards B
This study looked at the types, frequency and predictors of adverse events occurring within the first 72 hours after discharge from an intensive care unit in a mixed group of medical and surgical patients. The three most common adverse events (accounting for 44.9% of complications) were hospital-incurred infection or sepsis, hospital-incurred accident or injury and other complications including deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary oedema, or myocardial infarct.
Out of 21 possible predictor variables only two were significant independent predictors. They were a respiratory rate of below 10/min or above 25/ min and a pulse rate exceeding 110 /min.
American Journal of Critical Care 2008; 17: 255 – 263