The Impact of Gender on the Postoperative Consumption of Intensive and Intermediate Care Resources

Gender disparities when delivering healthcare are attributed to gender bias and gender-related pathophysiology. We examined the interaction of gender with the provision of postoperative intensive and intermediate care. Specifically whether for major surgeries, co-morbidities and lengths-of-surgery, women receive intensive and intermediate care as often as men. A two-phase prospective study performed in an Israeli university medical center explored utilization of postoperative intensive/intermediate care. Phase 1 examined gender differences in a broad range of postoperative intensive and intermediate patients. Phase 2 examined consecutive patients undergoing major abdominal and vascular surgeries to ascertain whether for similar surgeries and co-morbidities, women were as likely as men to receive intensive/intermediate care. Phase 1 ( n = 1883)—Proportionately more males were admitted to intensive/intermediate areas because they more often were trauma victims or had pre-existing ischemic heart disease. Female admissions were notable for obstetrical emergencies and post-meningioma excisions. Phase 2 ( n = 796)—The proportion of males and females receiving intensive/intermediate care did not differ after specific surgeries, for example, hepatectomy, carotid endarterectomy. However, among patients with underlying ischemic heart disease men, more often than women (15% vs. 21%, p