Neural networks predicted chronicity (ICU length of stay > 7 days) more reliably than the statistical model, regardless of architecture.
Observational (n=491)
No
Do connectionist models predict chronicity more reliably than statistical models in surgical ICU patients?
Connectionist models (neural networks) may offer more reliable predictions of clinical trajectory and resource utilization in surgical ICUs compared to traditional statistical models.
OBJECTIVE: To compare statistical and connectionist models for the prediction of chronicity which is influenced by patient disease and external factors. DESIGN: Retrospective development of predictive criteria and subsequent prospective testing of the same predictive criteria, using multiple logistic regression and three architecturally distinct neural networks; revision of predictive criteria. SETTING: Surgical intensive care unit (ICU) equipped with a clinical information system in a +/- 1000-bed university hospital. PATIENTS: Four hundred ninety-one patients with ICU length of stay 3 days who survived at least an additional 4 days. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Chronicity was defined as a length of stay > 7 days. Neural networks predicted chronicity more reliably than the statistical model regardless of the former's architecture. However, the neural networks' ability to predict this chronicity degraded over time. CONCLUSIONS: Connectionist models may contribute to the prediction of clinical trajectory, including outcome and resource utilization, in surgical ICUs.
Buchman et al. (Sun,) conducted a observational in Surgical intensive care unit patients (n=491). Neural networks (connectionist models) vs. Multiple logistic regression (statistical model) was evaluated on Chronicity (length of stay > 7 days). Neural networks predicted chronicity (ICU length of stay > 7 days) more reliably than the statistical model, regardless of architecture.