A Novel Neuroscience Intermediate-Level Care Unit Model: Retrospective Analysis of Impact on Patient Flow and Safety

Background and purpose: Neurointensive care units have been shown to improve patient outcomes across a variety of neurological and neurosurgical conditions. However, the efficacy of less resource-intensive intermediate-level care units to deliver similar care has not been well studied. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of neurocritical specialist comanagement on patient flow and safety in a neuroscience intermediate-level care unit.

Methods: Our intervention consisted of the addition of a physician with critical care experience as well as training in neurology, anesthesiology, or intensive care to a neuroscience intermediate-level care unit to comanage patients alongside neurology and neurosurgery staff during weekday daytime hours. A retrospective analysis was performed on prospectively collected data pertaining to all patients admitted to the unit over a 3-year period, 1 year before our intervention and 2 years after. Patient statistics including wait times to admission, length of stay (LOS), and mortality were reviewed.

Results: Following the intervention, there were significant reductions in wait times to unit admission from both the emergency department and postanesthetic care unit, as well as reductions in the average LOS. No significant safety concerns were identified.

Conclusion: This study has demonstrated that the optimization of a neuroscience intermediate-level care unit involving comanagement of patients by a neurocritical specialist can reduce wait times to admission and lengths of stay, with preserved safety outcomes.