Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Cancer Patients Intensive Care Unit Admission

Background: Cancer patients are admitted to the ICU due to their poor clinical condition, and patients admitted to these units suffer. Given the prevalence of cancer, the aim of this study was to determine the clinical characteristics of cancer patients admitted to the ICU. Methods: In this study, 90 patients admitted to the ICU due to underlying cancer were included in the study; and patients who were discharged, died, or discharged within the first 24 hours of admission were excluded from the study. The researchers collected information and completed a researcher-made checklist form by visiting the ICU and studying the patient's clinical record, interviewing the patient, and performing a clinical examination. For data analysis and reporting in the findings section, all extracted information was reviewed, and if the patient's data were completely completed and there was no incomplete information in this regard, it was entered into SPSS software. Then, data analysis was performed with descriptive and analytical statistical tests. Results: The findings showed that the rate of delirium in patients who died, had a history of smoking, had pressure ulcers, were older, and had a longer duration of stay in the ICU was higher than in other patients, and this difference was statistically significant (P value < 0.05). Also, the result showed the prevalence of pressure ulcers was higher in patients with a history of smoking, lung cancer, older age, and longer duration of stay in the ICU than in other patients, and this difference was statistically significant. Conclusion: Identifying the clinical characteristics of cancer patients can help health policymakers and medical staff to improve the health status of patients. Also, the prevalence of delirium and pressure ulcers was high in this study, which requires necessary interventions in this field.