An investigation of the epidemiological characteristics of patients in the intensive care unit of a tertiary healthcare facility, department of internal medicine thesis

This study aims to investigate the demographic characteristics, length of stay, and the effects of admission diagnoses on the treatment process of patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Department of Internal Medicine at Van Yüzüncü Yıl University Dursun Odabaş Medical Center between 2022 and 2023. Furthermore, by analyzing ICU length of stay and mortality rates, the study seeks to identify potential risk factors to inform and enhance clinical management strategies. This retrospective study was conducted on 641 patients who were admitted to the ICU of the Department of Internal Medicine at Van Yüzüncü Yıl University Dursun Odabaş Medical Center between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2022. Patient data, including age, gender, length of stay, reasons for admission, mode of admission (outpatient clinic, emergency, ward, ICU), discharge status (discharged, exitus, ward), admission time, the department where they were treated, and treatment processes, were collected and subjected to statistical analysis. The mean age of the 641 patients included in the study was 61.2 years, with a median age of 65. Of the patients, 54.8% were male, and 45.2% were female. The average ICU stay was 5.7 days, with a median stay of 3 days. The most common reason for admission was gastrointestinal system (GI) bleeding (16.5%), followed by sepsis (9.7%) and the need for palliative care (7.5%). Clinical conditions such as Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome (MODS, 4.7%), diabetic ketoacidosis (4.2%), altered consciousness (3.9%), and desaturation (3.9%) were also observed in significant proportions. Regarding seasonal admission rates, the highest admission rate was observed in autumn (28.1%), while the lowest was in winter (19.8%). When examining the mode of admission, 60.2% of the patients were transferred from the emergency department, and 35.1% were transferred from hospital wards. Oncology patients had the highest ICU admission rate, at 31.7%. This study provides valuable data regarding the demographic profile and clinical conditions of patients admitted to the ICU in Van province. The majority of the patients are elderly, with a predominance of males, and the ICU stay duration is typically short. The most common reasons for admission are serious clinical conditions such as GI bleeding and sepsis, requiring effective management of the treatment process. A more detailed analysis of the risk factors and demographic characteristics affecting ICU patients' treatment processes can inform future health policies. Keywords: Intensive care unit, sepsis, gastrointestinal bleeding, mortality, demographic characteristics