Document Type : Original Article(s)

Authors

• Farid Zand ¹
• Golnar Sabetian ²
• Mohtaram Nematollahi ³
• Hamideh Saeedizadeh ³
• Soha Salimi ⁴
• Amirmohammad Farrokhi ⁴
• Mahsa Banifatemi ³
• Fahime Aslami ³
• Naeimehossadat Asmarian ³

¹ Anesthesiology and Critical Care Research Center, Department of Critical Care Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

² Trauma Research Center, Department of Critical Care Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

³ Anesthesiology and Critical Care Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

⁴ Trauma Research Center, Rajaee Critical Care Medicine Department, Shahid Rajaee Trauma Hospital, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

Abstract

Background: The Iran intensive care unit registry (IICUR) was established to systematically collect high‑quality clinical data from critically ill adult patients nationwide. This registry was created to fill a major gap in Iran by providing the first coordinated national intensive care unit (ICU) data system to support benchmarking, quality improvement, and research. This study aimed to assess the registry’s data quality, representativeness, and performance using internationally recognized evaluation frameworks.
Methods: This validation study included consecutive adult ICU admissions (aged≥16 years) recorded in the IICUR between October 2017 and October 2024 across 39 ICUs in 16 hospitals in Shiraz, Iran. Data quality was assessed based on the directory of clinical databases (DoCDat) and Arts et al., frameworks. Evaluated domains included case representativeness, variable completeness, data validation processes, and coding reliability. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software (version 24).
Results: Overall, 34,550 ICU admissions were registered (36% surgical, 64% medical). The patient’s mean age was 49.4 years, with an average ICU stay of 6.7 days. The registry achieved a median DoCDat score of 3.0 (on a 1–4 scale), indicating strong national coverage, standardized data definitions, and high recruitment completeness. Trauma, neurological, and respiratory disorders were the most common admission causes. ICU and hospital mortality rates were 13.8% and 16.4%, respectively. Despite its strengths, enhanced data validation and post‑discharge follow‑up were required.
Conclusion: The IICUR demonstrated high methodological standards, providing a robust national platform for benchmarking, policy development, and critical care research in Iran.

Highlights

Farid Zand (Google Scholar)  
Naeimehossadat Asmarian (Google Scholar) 

Keywords

• Critical care
• Database
• Benchmarking
• Mortality
• Iran