Mortality rate

The mortality rate is tracked for both the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) and the hospital as a whole. Because of a number of factors (see below), both mortality rates are very low.

Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU)

Dayton Children’s mortality rate for its PICU is very low. PRISM (Pediatric Risk Indicators for Mortality), a national benchmarking system for pediatric ICUs, predicted we would have twice the number of deaths than we do. See PRISM Scores for PICU Morality below.

 

PRISM Indicator	July-Sept 04	Oct-Dec 04	Jan-March 04	April-June 05	July-Sept 05	Oct-Dec 05	Jan-March 06	April-June 06
Predicted deaths	4.59	5.59	6.79	6.26	7.36	8.59	8.35	6.39
Actual deaths	2	6	2	3	3	4	6	4
Actual/Predicted Ratio	0.44	1.07	0.29	0.48	0.41	0.47	0.72	0.63

Mortality rate for entire hospital

As you can see from the mortality data below, the mortality rate has steadily declined over the last 10 years (April-June 1996 - April-June 2006).

Deaths have decreased for many reasons. We believe the following factors have contributed to the continued decrease in mortality rates:

• Highly skilled board-certified pediatric intensivists in both critical care areas have enhanced the quality of care in these areas. Intensivists are physicians with special training in critical care medicine. Board-certified specialists also staff the newborn intensive care unit, providing specialized care to seriously ill and premature newborns.
• Accreditation of Level II Regional Pediatric Trauma Center and formation of trauma team consisting of a pediatric trauma surgeon, pediatric neurosurgeon, pediatric critical care doctor, pediatric emergency physician, pediatric orthopedist, pediatric respiratory therapist and may include a host of other doctors, nurses and staff trained to work exclusively with children.
• Successful efforts to encourage immunization of infants and children.
• The use of specialized equipment such as high-definition MRI and the fastest CT scanners that allow more accurate, quicker diagnosing of conditions.
• Outreach activities that provide free bicycle helmets and car seat checks to ensure children are traveling safely.