Outcome of intensive care of the "oldest-old" critically ill patients.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the short-term and long-term outcome of critically ill "oldest-old" (greater than or equal to 85 yrs) patients.

DESIGN

Retrospective chart review and follow-up telephone interview.

SETTING

ICUs at a tertiary care hospital.

METHODS

The medical records of all patients greater than or equal to 85 yrs of age admitted to the ICUs during 1988 were reviewed. Demographic information, severity of illness, major interventions, mortality rate, and hospital charges were examined. A follow-up telephone interview was conducted to determine the quality of life and mortality rate after discharge.

RESULTS

Of 34 patients greater than or equal to 85 yrs of age admitted to the ICU, 21 (62%) survived to discharge from the hospital, and 13 (62%) of these 21 patients were discharged to home. Mean +/- SD hospital charges were $34,738 +/- 34,366. Seventeen of the 21 patients were contacted for long-term follow-up, and ten of these patients were alive at a mean follow-up time of 18 +/- 10 months (range 1 to 32). Eight of the ten patients described their quality of life as fair or good.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that age alone may be an inappropriate criterion for allocation of ICU resources.