Objective: To determine the effect of multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) on the effect of bundle treatment for severe pneumonia.
Methods: A prospective historical control observation was conducted. Seventy-five patients with severe pneumonia having received MCDA (from January 2013 to August 2014) were assigned as intervention group. MCDA group was set up by the medical staff. Bundled treatment plan was composed of the MCDA evaluation results, anti-infection, phlegm and other conventional treatment measures which was adjust on time until the patient was transferred out of the respiratory intensive care unit (RICU) or died. Seventy patients with severe pneumonia before receiving MCDA (from August 2010 to December 2012) were set as historical control group. Comparison of general condition before treatment and the incidence of hospital infection, average hospitalization cost, duration of RICU stay and mortality between these two groups were performed.
Results: There were no statistically significant differences in gender, age, past history, and acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHE II) score at admission between two groups. Compared with control group, the incidence of hospital infection [1.33% (1/75) vs. 11.43% (8/70), χ2 = 4.723, P = 0.030], mean hospitalization cost in RICU (10 thousand Yuan: 3.44 ± 0.79 vs. 3.76 ± 0.91, t = 2.265, P = 0.025), length of RICU stay (days: 15.01 ± 4.22 vs. 16.92 ± 4.79, t = 2.552, P = 0.012) and mortality in RICU [8.0% (6/75) vs. 21.4% (15/70 ), χ2 = 5.272, P = 0.032] in intervention group was significantly decreased.
Conclusions: Application of MCDA in the bundle treatment of severe pneumonia could elevate the scientificalness of decision, and reduce the medical cost. Additionally, MCDA is worth to be generalized because the implementation of guidelines can improve the clinical outcome and prognosis of the patients.