Improved outcomes in intensive care units for AIDS-related Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia: 1987-1991
Bennett, R.L.; Gilman, S.C.; George, L.; Guze, P.A.; Bennett, C.L.
Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes 6(12): 1319-1321
1993
ISSN/ISBN: 0894-9255 PMID: 8254469 Document Number: 418325
The patterns of intensive care unit (ICU) use for AIDS patients with first-episode P. carinii pneumonia (PCP) in 15 Veterans Administration Medical Centers in the USA during 1987-1991 were evaluated. 12% of all patients with PCP received care in the ICU. The survival rates improved steadily during these years. Although there was little variation in the relative frequency of ICU use, the effectiveness of ICU use appeared to improve over time. In the more recent years, relatively more survivors and relatively fewer non-survivors received care in an ICU. It is suggested that changes in medical practice such as adjunctive use of steroids for severe cases of PCP and more effective use of scarce resources may account for the improved survival rates for patients with PCP who are treated in an ICU.