Predicting intensive care unit outcome with scoring systems. Underlying concepts and principles.

The accurate prediction of outcome will continue to be an important area of future medical investigation. Physicians, health care administrators, government agencies, and insurance companies all require accurate and assessable data on which to base decision-making processes. Refinements in our ability to identify important data, collect and process the data accurately and inexpensively, and make the data readily available to those wishing access to it will be the focus of future research efforts. Future advances in computer technology and the application of outcome research methods to critical care should assist in achieving many of these goals.