CO37 | Medical intermediate care unit for the stabilization within 72 hours of patients with acute medical pathology: a prospective observational study

M. Trentin¹, M. Parodi¹, D. Milazzo¹, G. Turcato¹, F. Fulghesu¹, P. Ferretto¹, A. Zaboli², L. Bertorelle¹, G. Carlana¹, M. Marchetti¹ | ¹Department of Internal Medicine, Intermediate Care Unit, Hospital Alto Vicentino, Santorso (VI), ²Innovation, Research and Teaching Service (SABES-ASDAA), Teaching Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical Private University (PMU), Bolzano, Italy

Premises and Aims of the study: The pandemic has led to the establishment of Intermediate Care Units (IMC) within Internal Medicine departments. The rapid stabilization within the admission, resulting from increased intensity of care, could allow IMC to have a significant impact on patient outcomes. We aimed a comparison of characteristics, intensity of care, and outcomes between patients treated in IMC versus those managed in the Internal Medicine.
Materials and Methods: A prospective study was conducted at the Internal Medicine department of Altovicentino Hospital between September and December 2022. Patients admitted were enrolled and divided into two treatment groups. The study’s primary outcome was the stabilization of the acute condition.
Results: 181 patients were treated in IMC compared to 143 patients treated under regular care. The CCI index (p=0.008), CFS (p<0.001), and Ranking (p<0.001) values were higher in the regular department, while the NEWS value was higher in IMC (p<0.001). Stabilization at 72 hours occurred in 71.3% of the regular department compared to 77.9% of IMC, p=0.197. A higher 30-day mortality rate was found for patients treated in the regular department (16.8% vs. 7.2%, p=0.008). No differences in the rate of transfer to the intensive care unit and, no differences in length of stay were observed.
Conclusions: A stabilization treatment in an IMC setting may reduce mortality without increasing the length of hospital stay for patients.