A nationwide analysis of intensive care unit admissions, 2009–2014 – The Korean ICU National Data (KIND) study

Purpose: To evaluate unbiased information on the characteristics, procedures, and outcomes of intensive care unit (ICU) admissions in a long-term nationwide study. Materials and methods: Cohort study of all ICU admissions in patients > 18 years of age in Korea between August 1, 2009 and September 30, 2014 (1,553,673 ICU admissions in 1,265,509 patients). Results: From August 2009 to September 2014, the age-standardized ICU admission rate was 744.6 per 100,000 person-years (869.5 per 100,000 person-years in men and 622.0 per 100,000 person-years in women). The overall in-hospital mortality was 13.8% (14.1% in men and 13.5% in women). Among all Koreans, the ICU mortality rate was 102.9 per 100,000 person-years (122.5 per 100,000 person years in men and 83.8 per 100,000 person years in women). The median ICU and hospital length of stay were 4 and 13 days, respectively. The median cost per ICU admission was $5051, which increased steadily over the study period. There were marked differences by gender in ICU admission rates, aggressive support, and outcomes. Conclusions: Our study identified increasing trends in ICU admissions and utilization of advance life support systems that add to the burden of care in a developed society.