Characteristics and outcomes of patients reviewed by intensive care unit liaison nurses in Australia: A prospective multicentre study

Abstract

Background: Intensive care unit liaison nurse (ICU LN) services are one strategy to manage deteriorating hospital patients. Studies on the characteristics and outcomes of patients reviewed by ICU LNs have been from single centres and surveys. Objectives and methods: To conduct a 20-hospital, prospective observational study on the characteristics and outcomes of patients reviewed by Australian ICU LNs over 2 months. Participants and outcome measures: All patients screened by ICU LNs over the study period were included. Details included the source of initial review, patient demographics and initial physiological parameters, case load, interventions and patient outcome. Results: Only two hospit..