Summary

This article presents data from a large database of critically ill patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs). Data from 216,775 consecutive ICU admissions (September 2002—March 2005) at 177 surgical and cardiac ICUs from 73 United States Veterans Administration (VA) medical centers were analyzed. The analysis was performed using a logistic regression model developed and validated by the VA. In the model, glucose levels of 70–100 mg/dL were considered normal. Mortality risk was calculated using admitting diagnosis, co-morbidities, lab results and age. In a second model, the patient's mean blood glucose level and their mortality risk were calculated.