LAUSR

Purpose: To evaluate unbiased information on the characteristics, procedures, and outcomes of intensive care unit (ICU) admissions in a long‐term nationwide study. Materials and methods: Cohort study of all ICU admissions in patients >18 years of age in Korea between August 1, 2009 and September 30, 2014 (1,553,673 ICU admissions in 1,265,509 patients). Results: From August 2009 to September 2014, the age‐standardized ICU admission rate was 744.6 per 100,000 person‐years (869.5 per 100,000 person‐years in men and 622.0 per 100,000 person‐years in women). The overall in‐hospital mortality was 13.8% (14.1% in men and 13.5% in women). Among all Koreans, the ICU mortality rate was 102.9 per 100,000 person‐years (122.5 per 100,000 person years in men and 83.8 per 100,000 person years in women). The median ICU and hospital length of stay were 4 and 13 days, respectively. The median cost per ICU admission was $5051, which increased steadily over the study period. There were marked differences by gender in ICU admission rates, aggressive support, and outcomes. Conclusions: Our study identified increasing trends in ICU admissions and utilization of advance life support systems that add to the burden of care in a developed society.