Development and Evaluation of Models to Predict Readmission or Death After Discharge from Intensive Care

Background Patients being discharged from the intensive care unit (ICU) have variable risks of subsequent readmission or death; however, there is limited understanding of how to predict individual patient risk. We sought to derive risk prediction models for ICU readmission or death after ICU discharge to guide clinician decision-making. Methods Systematic review and meta-analysis to identify risk factors. Development and validation of risk prediction models using two retrospective cohorts of patients discharged alive from medical-surgical ICUs (n = 3 ICUs, n = 11,291 patients; n = 14 ICUs, n = 11,400 patients). Models were developed using literature and data-derived weighted coefficients. Results Sixteen variables identified from the systematic review were used to develop four risk prediction models. In the validation cohort there were 795 (7%) patients who were re-admitted to ICU and 703 (7%) patients who died after ICU discharge. The area under the curve (AUROC) for ICU readmission for the literature (0.615 [95%CI: 0.593, 0.637]) and data (0.652 [95%CI: 0.631, 0.674]) weighted models showed poor discrimination. The AUROC for death after ICU discharge for the literature (0.708 [95%CI: 0.687, 0.728]) and local data weighted (0.752 [95%CI: 0.733, 0.770]) models showed good discrimination. The negative predictive values for ICU readmission and death after ICU discharge ranged from 94%-98%. Conclusions Identifying risk factors and weighting coefficients using systematic review and meta-analysis to develop prediction models is feasible and can identify patients at low risk of ICU readmission or death after ICU discharge.