Title | Direct observation of bed utilization in the pediatric intensive care unit. |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2012 |
Authors | Fieldston ES, Li J, Terwiesch C, Helfaer MA, Verger J, Pati S, Surrey D, Patel K, Ebberson JL, Lin R, Metlay JP |
Journal | J Hosp Med |
Volume | 7 |
Issue | 4 |
Pagination | 318-24 |
Date Published | 2012 Apr |
ISSN | 1553-5606 |
Keywords | Bed Occupancy, Beds, Health Resources, Humans, Intensive Care Units, Pediatric, Pilot Projects, Prospective Studies, Time Factors |
Abstract | BACKGROUND: The pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), with limited number of beds and resource-intensive services, is a key component of patient flow. Because the PICU is a crossroads for many patients, transfer or discharge delays can negatively impact a patient's clinical status and efficiency. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to describe, using direct observation, PICU bed utilization. METHODS: We conducted a real-time, prospective observational study in a convenience sample of days in the PICU of an urban, tertiary-care children's hospital. RESULTS: Among 824 observed hours, 19,887 bed-hours were recorded, with 82% being for critical care services and 18% for non-critical care services. Fourteen activities accounted for 95% of bed-hours. Among 200 hours when the PICU was at full capacity, 75% of the time included at least 1 bed that was used for non-critical care services; 37% of the time at least 2 beds. The mean waiting time for a floor bed assignment was 9 hours (median, 5.5 hours) and accounted for 4.62% of all bed-hours observed. CONCLUSIONS: The PICU delivered critical care services most of the time, but periods of non-critical care services represented a significant amount of time. In particular, periods with no bed available for new patients were associated with at least 1 or more PICU beds being used for non-critical care activities. The method should be reproducible in other settings to learn more about the structure and processes of care and patient flow and to make improvements. |
DOI | 10.1002/jhm.993 |
Alternate Journal | J Hosp Med |
PubMed ID | 22106012 |