Quantification and characterisation of work done by intensive care doctors outside the ICU

The National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Death (NCEPOD) published a report in 2005 criticising the care of medical patients being admitted to ICUs in the United Kingdom. In particular it criticised the low level of consultant involvement in management of patients being admitted to the ICU. Little is known, however, about patients referred to the ICU but not admitted. These referrals, whether for advice only, requests for practical skills or for decisions on suitability of a patient for the ICU, reflect a large proportion of work done by intensive care doctors outside the ICU.