Longer hospital wait before ICU linked to higher death risk in elderly patients

NCT ID NCT07571213

Completed Knowledge-focused Sponsor: Uppsala University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study looked at over 315,000 very old patients (80+) admitted to Swedish ICUs. It found that the longer a patient stayed in a regular hospital ward before being moved to the ICU, the higher their risk of dying within 30 days. The research highlights the need for careful decisions about when to transfer elderly patients to intensive care.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

What this could lead to

If confirmed, this could help doctors decide when to move very old patients to the ICU, potentially saving lives.

What could go wrong

This is an observational study, not a trial. It shows a link, not proof that shorter waits cause better outcomes. Other factors may explain the results.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

AGE OVER 80 YEARS HOSPITAL LENGTH OF STAY INTENSIVE CARE (ICU) MORTALITY

Contacts and locations

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Locations

Uppsala University

Uppsala, Sweden