Risk factors for unplanned transfer to the intensive care unit after emergency department admission

In patients presenting to the ED, hypercapnia was a predictor for deterioration which requires ICU transfer within 24 h after ED admission. Additional predicting factors in patients with sepsis or pneumonia were respectively tachypnea and low oxygen saturation. For these patient groups direct ICU admission should be considered to prevent unplanned ICU admission. This data emphasizes the importance of measuring the vital signs, particularly the respiratory rate.