The association between ICU admission and emergency hospital readmission following emergency general surgery.

Background: The relationship between postoperative intensive care (ICU) admission following emergency general surgery (EGS) and emergency hospital readmission has not been widely investigated.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of registry data for patients undergoing EGS in Scotland, 2005-2007. Exposure of interest was ICU admission status (direct from theatre; indirect after initial care on ward; no ICU admission).

Using population-based critical care data to evaluate trauma outcomes.

Background: The analysis of mortality is an integral part of the evaluation of trauma care. When specific data are not available, general prediction models can be used to adjust for case mix. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of conducting a population-based analysis of trends in trauma mortality, using critical care audit data, and to investigate whether such data could provide a benchmark for the assessment of service reconfiguration.