How accurate are vital signs in predicting clinical outcomes in critically ill emergency department patients

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate the predictive value of pulse rate (PR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure, respiratory rate (RR), oxygen saturation (SaO2), and the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) for cardiac arrest and death in critically ill patients. METHODS: In total, 1025 patients had vital signs recorded at triage at our Emergency Department and were followed up for three clinical outcomes: cardiac arrest in 72 h, admission to ICU, and death within 30 days. Vital signs were used in univariate and multivariate analyses for outcomes. Age was added in multivariate analysis. RESULTS: PR, SBP, RR, SaO2, and GCS were significantly associated with cardiac arrest within 72 h, whereas PR, SBP, RR, SaO2, and GCS were associated with death within 30 days. Only PR and GCS were associated with ICU admission. In the multivariate analysis, age, PR (>100) [odds ratio (OR) 1.65; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.00-2.71], SBP (>140; OR 0.41; 95% CI: 0.21-0.79), RR (>20; OR 2.90; 95% CI: 1.67-5.03), and GCS (