The primary aim of this review is to explore current knowledge on the relationship between institutional intensive care unit (ICU) patient volume and patient outcomes. Studies indicate that a higher institutional ICU patient volume is positively correlated with patient survival. Although the exact mechanism underlying this association remains unclear, several studies have proposed that the cumulative experience of physicians and selective referral between institutions may play a role. The overall ICU mortality rate in Korea is relatively high compared to other developed countries. A distinctive aspect of critical care in Korea is the existence of significant disparities in the quality of care and services provided across regions and hospitals. Addressing these disparities and optimizing the management of critically ill patients necessitates thoroughly trained intensivists who are well-versed in the latest clinical practice guidelines. A fully functioning unit with adequate patient throughput is also essential for maintaining consistent and reliable quality of patient care. However, the positive impact of ICU volume on mortality outcomes is also linked to complex organizational factors, such as multidisciplinary rounds, nurse staffing and education, the presence of a clinical pharmacist, care protocols for weaning and sedation, and a culture of teamwork and communication. Despite some inconsistencies in the association between ICU patient volume and patient outcomes, which are thought to arise from differences in healthcare systems, ICU case volume significantly affects patient outcomes and should be taken into account when formulating related healthcare policies.
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by
Regionalization of Critical Care in Community Settings Sharon S. Leung, Peter P. Semczuk Critical Care Clinics.2026; 42(2): 329. CrossRef
Trends of Standardized Mortality Ratio and its Correlation with Admission Patient Volume in Different Intensive Care Units Yu Qiu, Zhuang Liu, Jing Bai, Mengya Zhao, Haizhou Zhuang, Xiaojun Ji, Jingfeng Liu, Xiuming Xi, Jin Lin, Meili Duan Journal of Intensive Care Medicine.2026;[Epub] CrossRef
Volume-outcome relationship in pediatric blunt liver and spleen injuries: A multicenter retrospective cohort study Susumu Matsushime, Akira Kuriyama, Morihiro Katsura Journal of Pediatric Surgery Open.2025; 10: 100194. CrossRef
Association Between Nurse Staffing Coverage and Patient Outcomes in a Context of Prepandemic Structural Understaffing: A Patient‐Unit‐Level Analysis Maria-Eulàlia Juvé-Udina, Jordi Adamuz, Maribel González-Samartino, Marta Tapia-Pérez, Emilio Jiménez-Martínez, Carme Berbis-Morello, Oliver Polushkina-Merchanskaya, Adelaida Zabalegui, María-Magdalena López-Jiménez, Claire Su-Yeon Park Journal of Nursing Management.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Data-Driven Quality of Care in the ICU: A Concise Review Giulliana M. Moralez, Filipe Amado, Vincent X. Liu, Sing Chee Tan, Geert Meyfroidt, Robert D. Stevens, David Pilcher, Jorge I. F. Salluh Critical Care Medicine.2025; 53(12): e2720. CrossRef
Data Science to Improve ICU Benchmarking Jorge I. F. Salluh, Giulliana M. Moralez, Filipe Amado, Gaston Burghi Critical Care Medicine.2025; 53(11): e2356. CrossRef
Case volume and specialization in critically ill emergency patients: a nationwide cohort study in Japanese ICUs Jun Fujinaga, Takanao Otake, Takehide Umeda, Toshio Fukuoka Journal of Intensive Care.2024;[Epub] CrossRef
Association of Intensive Care Unit Case Volume With Mortality and Cost in Sepsis Based on a Japanese Nationwide Medical Claims Database Study Takehiko Oami, Taro Imaeda, Taka‑aki Nakada, Tuerxun Aizimu, Nozomi Takahashi, Toshikazu Abe, Yasuo Yamao, Satoshi Nakagawa, Hiroshi Ogura, Nobuaki Shime, Yutaka Umemura, Asako Matsushima, Kiyohide Fushimi Cureus.2024;[Epub] CrossRef