Long-term Safety of Directly Discharging Patients Home from the ICU Compared to Ward Transfer

To evaluate the long-term safety of directly discharging intensive care unit (ICU) survivors to their home. A retrospective observational cohort of 341 ICU survivors who were directly discharged home from the ICU (“direct discharge”) or discharged home ≤72 hours after ICU transfer to the ward (“ward transfer”) was conducted in Regina, Saskatchewan ICUs between September 1, 2016 and September 30, 2018. The primary outcome was 90-day hospital readmission. Secondary outcomes included 30-day, 90-day, and 365-day emergency department (ED) visits, 30-day and 365-day hospital readmissions, and 365-day mortality. All outcomes were evaluated by multivariable Cox regression after adjustment for demographic and clinical characteristics. In Saskatchewan, direct discharge compared to ward transfer was associated with an increase in 90-day hospital readmissions, and potentially other clinical outcomes. Further study is necessary.