Guidelines for intensive care unit admission, discharge, and triage

Objective To provide guidelines for admission, discharge, and triage of adult patients to the intensive care unit (ICU), based on expert opinion and the relevant literature. Data Sources Publications relevant to the admission, discharge, and triage of patients to the ICU were obtained from the medical literature. Study Selection Not applicable. Data Extraction Articles were reviewed and the relevant information extracted for analysis by an expert panel. Data Synthesis The articles were reviewed and graded levels of recommendation made based on a rating system described in the text. Conclusions Although little scientifically rigorous data exist validating the criteria for admission, discharge, and triage of adult patients to the ICU, current literature and expert opinion support guidelines to streamline the admission, discharge, and triage process. (Crit Care Med 1999; 27:633-638)