Patients receiving subpar care

Two-thirds of patients needing critical care services may be receiving suboptimal care, as the current demand for services has surpassed the supply of providers needed, according to a report released by the Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. The report projects that this problem will be exacerbated by 2020 due to the aging population and the increased utilization of intensivists (critical care specialists).

"Recognizing that our country is facing a severe critical care workforce shortage is the first step in addressing this immense burden on the nation's health care system," declares Michael Alberts, president of the American College of Chest Physicians, Arlington Heights, Ill. "The time for comprehensive policy discussions on this issue is overdue. Congress and the appropriate Federal agencies must act now to avert this crisis."

The report reinforces findings that the involvement of intensivists improves outcomes for critically ill patients and suggests there is an imminent need to increase the intensivist supply. With an estimated 360,000 deaths occurring each year in intensive care units not managed by intensivists, adding to the supply may help save as many as 54,000 lives annually.

"Research indicates that there is a direct correlation between patient outcomes and care provided or supervised by trained specialists," reiterates Charles G. Dubbin, president of the Society of Critical Care Medicine. "The lack of team members could have a tremendous impact on how critical care is delivered in the future."

In the U.S., patients use approximately 18,000,000 ICU days annually, and more than half of these have been associated with care for patients older than 65. Between 2000-2020, the population under age 65 is expected to grow by 10%; the population 65 and older, 50% (and 100% by 2030).

"This report is clear," emphasizes Peter D. Wagner, president of the American Thoracic Society. "The number of patients who are critically ill is growing. The number of critical care specialists trained to treat these patients is not keeping pace. A shod-age is not only imminent, but upon us and, unless steps are taken to address the shortage, patients with life-threatening diseases and others being cared for in ICUs will suffer."

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COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning