Data Resource Profile: the Dutch National Intensive Care Evaluation (NICE) Registry of Admissions to Adult Intensive Care Units

Abstract

Patients admitted to intensive care units are seriously ill, require very frequent or continuous monitoring, generally have abnormal physiological parameters and are often in need of vital organ support and replacement. As a group, they have a substantial probability of dying during their hospital stay ^1,2,3 and within 12 months of discharge. ^4,5 There are substantial differences in duration of stay and in-hospital crude and standardized mortality rates between intensive care units, ^1,6 in patient groups based on diagnosis group ² and in referring specialism. ⁶ This means it is important to appraise and seek to improve the quality of intensive care, to ensure that patients receive optimal intensive care. ³