• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.93-101
• /
• 2002

Using the APCHE III tool, this study was about the factors related to the death of ICU-patients. From 1999. 12. 1 to 2000. 9. 30, the 284 patients admitted to ICU at P university who were over 15 years of age were selected for the subjets. The data was analyzed through SPSS WIN program for frequency, percentile, $x^2$-test, t-test and logistic regression. The results are summarized as follows: 1) Of the 284 patients, 88died. The mortality is 31.0 percent. The average APACHE III point was $48.62{\pm}32.32$. The average point of non-survivors was higher than that of survivors. 2) There are the significant difference between APACHE III marks and mortality. The mortality rate were over 50 percent 60 points of the mark. When the marks were over 100 points, the mortality were over 90 percent. Below 40 points, the mortality was below 10 percent. Among the variables in the APACHE III, the most significant variables in explaining death were neurologic abnormalities, pulse, $PaO_2$/$AaDO_2$, creatinine, sodium, glucose, chronic health state and age. According to the variables, the models explained the 42.43 percent of the variance in patient's death. In conclusion, the APACHE III tool can be used to predict the progress of ICU patients, and can also be used for the selection of patients for ICU admission/discharge criteria.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
• /
• v.17 no.5
• /
• pp.762-771
• /
• 2005

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify characteristics of patients who were recipients of decision-making DNR, to describe the situations of DNR, and to analyze the APACHE III and MOF scores. Method: Data collection was conducted through reviews of medical records of 51 patients and through interviews with families of patients who were decision-makers for DNR at C university K Hospital located in Seoul from April to September 2002. Results: The men's APACHE III and MOF scores were higher than the women's and the non cancer patients were higher than cancer patients. Some 80.4% of DNR orders was by communication, while 11.8% of consents were written. Each of APACHE III and MOF scores of patients in the intensive care unit was higher than the patients in general ward at both points of admission and decision-making of DNR. APACHE III and MOF scores positively correlated statistically with each other. Conclusions: The findings of this study suggest that APACHE III and MOF scores be useful for decision-making of DNR as a tool measuring severity.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
• /
• v.30 no.5
• /
• pp.1243-1253
• /
• 2000

The purpose of this study was to verify the validity of the Patient Severity Classification Tool by examining the correlations between the APACHE Ⅲ and the Patient Severity Classification Tool and to propose admission criteria to the ICU. The instruments used for this study were the APACHE Ⅲ developed by Knaus and the Patient Severity Classification Tool developed by Korean Clinical Nurses Association. Data was collected from the 156 Medical ICU patients during their first 24 hours of admission at the Seoul National University Hospital by three trained Medical ICU nurses from April 20 to August 31 1999. Data were analyzed using the frequency, $x^2$, Wilcoxon rank sum test, and Spearman rho. There was statistically significant correlations between the scores of the APACHE III and the Patient Severity Classification Tool. Mortality rate was increased as patients classification of severity in both the APACHE III and the Patient Severity Classification Tool scored higher. The Patient Severity Classification Tool was proved to be a valid and reliable tool, and a useful tool as one of the severity predicting factors, ICU admission criteria, information sharing between ICUs, quality evaluations of ICUs, and ICU nurse staffing.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.54 no.3
• /
• pp.311-319
• /
• 2003

Background : Previous studies have suggested that a B-type natriuretic peptide(BNP) test can provide important information on diagnosis, as well as predicting the severity and prognosis of heart failure. Myocardial dysfunction is often observed in critically ill noncardiac patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit, and the prognosis of the myocardial dysfunction needs to be determined. This study evaluated the predictability of BNP on the prognosis of critically ill noncardiac patients. Methods : 32 ICU patients, who were hospitalized from June to October 2002 and in whom the BNP test was evaluated, were enrolled in this study. The exclusion criteria included the conditions that could increase the BNP levels irrespective of the severity, such as congestive heart failure, atrial fibrillation, ischemic heart disease, and renal insufficiencies. A triage B-Type Natriuretic Peptide test with a RIA-kit was used for the fluorescence immunoassay of BNP test. In addition, the acute physiology and the chronic health evaluation (APACHE) II score and mortality were recorded. Results : There were 16 males and 16 females enrolled in this study. The mean age was 59 years old. The mean BNP levels between the ICU patients and control were significantly different ($186.7{\pm}274.1$ pg/mL vs. $19.9{\pm}21.3$ pg/mL, p=0.033). Among the ICU patients, there were 14(44----) patients with BNP levels above 100 pg/mL. The APACHE II score was $16.5{\pm}7.6$. In addition, there were 11 mortalities reported. The correlation between the BNP and APACHE II score, between the BNP and mortality were significant (r=0.443, p=0.011 & r=0.530, p=0.002). The mean BNP levels between the dead and alive groups were significantly different ($384.1{\pm}401.7$ pg/mL vs. $83.2{\pm}55.8$ pg/mL p=0.033). However, the $PaO_2/FiO_2$ did not significantly correlate with the BNP level. Conclusion : This study evaluated the BNP level was elevated in critically ill, noncardiac patients. The BNP level could be a useful, noninvasive tool for predicting the prognosis of the critically ill, noncardiac patients.