Background: APACHE II is an abbreviation for the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation scoring system that is frequently used to study the possibility of disease progression and predict the mortality risk in patients with critical illness.
Objectives: To analyze the outcomes of the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Ghazi Hariri Hospital for Surgical Specialties using the APACHE II scoring system.
Methods: From May 28 to August 28, 2025, a prospective cohort study took place. Included were (100) patients (≥18 years old) who remained for at least 24 hours at the ICU of Ghazi Hariri Hospital, Baghdad. The APACHE II scoring system was calculated for each patient within a period not exceeding 24 hours. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS, which included a Chi-square test used to analyze the associations between the APACHE II scores, demographic variables, and patient outcomes, and the two-way ANOVA to test the differences between each group.
Results: The mean age was 54.1 ± 20.43 years, with 53 males and 47 females. Mortality increased significantly in patients with higher APACHE II values. The observed mortality was lower than predicted, particularly among patients with APACHE II scores ≥ 30. The outcome had a significant effect on the APACHE II score (p < 0.001), while the diagnosis type didn't show significant results. Mortality rates were higher for medically admitted patients (51%) compared to surgical patients (30.6%). Elderly people were associated with poor outcomes.
Conclusion: The most important findings are that APACHE II scores and age served as a powerful prognostic tool in estimating patients' outcomes in the ICU. However, sex showed a result of no effect on mortality rates. The study also pointed to the role of ICU staff, which has a great impact on improving patients' outcomes.