Can i get a definition for unplanned return of a patient to critical care areas like ICU/NICU?
An unplanned return of a patient to critical care would be when a patient has improved enough to be down-graded (or up-graded, depending on one’s perspective!) to a step-down or regular floor because their health has improved, and expected to continue to keep getting better, but for some reason, they suddenly get worse and have to go back to critical care. The normal course is to get well enough to leave critical care, and then continue to get well enough to be discharged home. That could be called the “planned” course. It’s unexpected or “unplanned” for a person to revert in health status and have to return to a critical care area again after they’ve been on a course of recovery.
