Hospital ward transitions and outcomes in critical care survivors: A multi-hospital cohort study.

Cohort studyJournal of the Intensive Care Society· Jul 2026

Hospital ward transitions and outcomes in critical care survivors: A multi-hospital cohort study.

Toby Falodun, John Masterson, Nazir I Lone

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Pulmonology & Critical CareCohort studyPrognosisQ1IF 1.5

Increased ward transitions are associated with higher odds of early emergency department reattendance.

Hospital ward transitions and outcomes in critical care survivors: A multi-hospital cohort study.

Toby Falodun … Nazir I Lone

Journal of the Intensive Care Society · Jul 2026

Background

Hospital ward transitions remain poorly understood despite their importance to patient flow and efficiency.

Purpose

This study aimed to characterise patterns of ward transitions, identify determinants of ward transition frequency, and evaluate associations with adverse patient outcomes.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study comprised patients admitted through the emergency department (emergency department) across three acute hospitals in a region of Scotland between 2017 and 2022 who experienced a critical care admission prior to hospital discharge.

Results

adjusted OR = 1.12

more ward transitions meant a higher chance of early emergency department reattendance

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Conclusion

Increased ward transitions in critically ill patients mark clinical complexity. It is associated with longer hospital stays and may help identify those at greater risk of early emergency department reattendance.

Hospital ward transitions and outcomes in critical care survivors: A multi-hospital cohort study.

Hospital ward transitions and outcomes in critical care survivors: A multi-hospital cohort study.

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