Outcome evaluation in a surgical intensive care unit in Barbados

Summary The performance of the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II scoring system was␣prospectively assessed in the surgical intensive care unit at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Barbados. A total of 309 patients admitted consecutively during a 2‐year period (1999–2001) were evaluated. Demographic data, diagnosis, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score,␣duration of stay and hospital outcome were recorded. The predicted mortality for every patient and the costs incurred were also calculated. The overall observed mortality rate was 15.9% while the mean predicted mortality rate for our case‐mix was 16.4%, which is comparable to results␣from developed countries. The cost incurred per patient was much lower at $13 636 (Barbados), compared to the patients' cost in North America ($60 000 Barbados).