Association between APACHE II score and intensive care unit length of stay
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56922/mhc.v5i7.4556
APACHE II Score Intensive Care Unit Length of Stay
Abstract
Background: The Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score is used to assess illness severity in critically ill patients. Illness severity may be associated with the duration of intensive care.
Purpose: To examine the relationship between APACHE II scores and ICU length of stay.
Method: This retrospective analytical study reviewed medical records of 172 ICU patients, of whom 102 met the eligibility criteria and were included through total sampling at Sari Asih Serang Hospital, Indonesia. The 70 excluded records did not meet the study criteria because of early death, transfer to another hospital, or incomplete data. Data were analyzed using univariate analysis and Somers’ d, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05.
Results: Of the 102 patients, 58 (56.9%) had severe APACHE II scores (≥17), 30 (29.4%) had moderate scores (11–16), and 14 (13.7%) had mild scores (0–10). Most patients stayed in the ICU for 4–7 days (51; 50.0%), followed by 1–3 days (28; 27.5%) and ≥8 days (23; 22.5%). Somers’ d indicated a very strong positive association between APACHE II scores and ICU length of stay (d = 0.920, p < 0.001).
Conclusion: Higher APACHE II scores were associated with longer ICU stays. These findings highlight the relevance of illness severity assessment in critical care planning and ICU resource management.
Keywords: APACHE II Score; Intensive Care Unit; Length of Stay.
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