Kramer AA, et al. – Researchers sought to determine the effect of mortality on total costs of an ICU stay. Findings demonstrated that day 1 room occupancy and day 1 mechanical ventilation were the largest drivers of ICU costs at the patient level, while a link was obvious between mortality before unit discharge and substantially higher costs. As per observations, the increase was most evident for patients with an extended ICU stay who were receiving mechanical ventilation. Furthermore, studies evaluating costs among ICUs need to take mortality into account.