Society of Critical Care Medicine Statement on ICU Diagnosis and Autopsy; Experts Available for Interviews

2/23/2004

From: Thomas Joseph of the Society of Critical Care Medicine, 847-827-7282 or tjoseph@sccm.org

The Feb. 23 issue of The Archives of Internal Medicine published a study by Alain Combes, M.D., Ph.D., et al, comparing clinical diagnoses with autopsy findings for patients who died in intensive care units (ICUs). The study found a potentially disturbing rate of discrepancy between clinical and autopsy diagnoses.

The Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) would like to reinforce the researchers' assertion that autopsy diagnoses provide pertinent information that might improve future management of ICU patients.

SCCM recognizes the general trend toward fewer requested autopsies and, therefore, less ability to critique the processes of care and the reliability of diagnoses made for critically ill patients. The society encourages an increased utilization of autopsy studies in order to better evaluate not only the severity of diseases but also the processes of patient care.

Patients in ICUs are critically ill and have an elevated risk of death related to increased illness severity. Less than optimal ICU staffing and inconsistent models of ICU care are recognized as major contributors to inequalities in care among ICUs. Research shows that patients placed in appropriately staffed critical care units with the consistent presence of an integrated multidisciplinary team of ICU experts have lower mortality and complication rates.

SCCM and critical care experts worldwide are working to improve care and to save lives through the implementation of intensivist- led teams for ICU care. In this ICU model, critical care physicians lead a multidisciplinary team of healthcare providers including nurses, pharmacists and respiratory therapists who monitor patients on a regular basis. The team is entirely dedicated to the ICU. A critical care physician, or intensivist, is present on the unit 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The intensivist model of care reduces mortality, complications and the length of patient stay, while lowering individual patient costs and improving hospital efficiency. Studies show that the intensivist model saves money and reduces cost, allowing more patients to receive ICU care, while decreasing inappropriate or wasteful use of ICU resources such as beds, blood products, diagnostic studies and staff.

Intensivists are board certified in a medical specialty such as surgery, internal medicine, pediatrics or anesthesiology, and have received special training and subspecialty certification in critical care. Intensivists specialize in total patient care and understand the effects of treatments on each organ system.

The Society of Critical Care Medicine is the leading professional organization dedicated to ensuring excellence and consistency in the practice of critical care medicine. With more than 11,000 members worldwide, the Society is the only professional organization devoted exclusively to the advancement of multidisciplinary, multiprofessional intensive care through excellence in patient care, professional education, public education, research and advocacy. Members of the Society include intensivists, critical care nurses, critical care pharmacists, clinical pharmacologists, respiratory care practitioners and other professionals with an interest in critical care, which may include physician assistants, social workers, dieticians and members of the clergy.

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For more information, contact Thomas Joseph at 847-827-7282 or tjoseph@sccm.org

NOTE: Medical experts from the Society of Critical Care Medicine are available today to speak with journalists about autopsy, ICU care and diagnosis. To schedule interviews, contact Amy Jenkins at 312-664-2717.