Disorders In Intensive Care Unit Research Articles

Sleep Deprivation in Intensive Care Unit - Systematic Review.

BackgroundSleep disturbances in intensive care unit (ICU) patients have been studied worldwide for over 30 years. Factors contributing to sleep disturbances are still being identified, and therapeutic procedures aimed at the mitigation of such ailments are consequently being developed.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to review the literature on sleep disturbances in intensive care unit patients.Material and MethodsMEDLINE PubMed, OVID, Web of Science, and EBSCO databases have been searched using adequate keywords.ResultsSleep disorders in ICUs were common among all of the analysed articles. Noise plays a significant role in sleep interruption (11.5 - 17% of awakenings). It was noted that the introduction of “white noise” into the ICU environment proved unsuccessful in reducing the magnitude of changing noise levels. Nursing care activities significantly disturb nocturnal rest, and 42.7 such procedures per every 12-hour night shift were registered. Aggregating nursing care interventions was suggested in order to reduce the number of stimuli experienced by the patient.ConclusionChanges in sleep structure developing during an ICU stay may significantly contribute to sleep disorders once the hospitalisation is over.

Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia combined with eszopiclone for the treatment of sleep disorder patients transferred out of the intensive care unit: A single-centred retrospective observational study.

Patients transferred out of the intensive care unit (ICU) are always impaired by sleep disorders. Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) and eszopiclone are 2 commonly prescribed strategies for insomnia. In the current study, the effect of the combined application of the 2 methods on sleep disorders in ICU transferred out patients was assessed.Twenty-nine insomnia patients receiving combined treatment of CBT-I and eszopiclone and a corresponding number of patients treated with eszopiclone were collected. The incidence of discomfort experiences in ICU was recorded. Polysomnogram (PSG), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), self-rating depression scale (SDS), and treatment emergent symptom scale (TESS) were used to assess the treatment efficacy and side effects.Hospitalization for over 7 days, use of benzodiazepines, and experiencing anxiety, insomnia, and mechanical ventilation increased chances of sleep disorders. The sleep latency, awakening time, and total sleep time were further improved in patients treated with the combined therapy than patients treated with eszopiclone (t = −2.334, −2.412, 2.383, P < .05). Similar changing pattern was observed for PSQI score (t = −2.262, P < .05). The improvement effect of the combined therapy on the sleep efficacy, SWS phase III, and rapid eye movement sleep was also significantly stronger (t = 2.112, 2.268, 2.311, P < .05). Moreover, the SAS and SDS scores in patients treated with the combined therapy decreased more than those of patients treated with eszopiclone.The efficacy of CBT-I combined with eszopiclone in the treatment of sleep disorders in ICU transferred out patients was better than eszopiclone.

Neuro-orthopedics disorders in intensive care unit (ICU): Perceptions of teams

Objective In intensive care unit (ICU), the frequent association of organ failure, neurological, orthopedic lesions and undernutrition promotes the development of neuro-orthopedic disorders (NOD). They can affect the acute phase management and the functional prognosis of patients. Caregivers (nurses and nursing auxiliaries) have a sentinel role in their early detection. Material/patients and methods We investigated the perception of paramedical and medical teams in 3 surgical ICU in university hospitals in Ile-de-France. Questionnaires were about the impact of the NOD on patient health and on care as well as on the therapeutic or preventive actions carried out. Results In total, 79 questionnaires including: nurses (n = 30, median age = 28.5 [23–49]), nursing auxiliaries (n = 17, median age = 31 [20–56]), doctors (n = 28, median age = 32.5 [24–60]) and physiotherapists (n = 4, median age = 50 [26–53]). Among caregivers, 64% have been working for less than 5 years in ICU and 46.8% consider NOD to be frequently responsible for pain. There is a correlation between age and the perception of NOD responsibility in pain for caregivers (P = 0.04), but not for doctors (P = 0.26). We do not find correlation between the experience in ICU and the perception of NOD responsibility in pain (P = 0.77), nor between the impact of NOD on pain and the tendency to start action against the NOD from caregivers (modification of the positioning P = 0.26 or mobilization by caregivers P = 0.57). Discussion – conclusion The number of responses seems to indicate that ICU teams are interested in NOD. Some results are surprising, with sometimes high variability. Although the methodology (question formulation, subjective declarative data, etc.) induces biases, we may wonder why age seems to influence the perception of the role of NOD in pain, contrary to the experience in ICU or why the pain does not seem to induce modifications of positioning or mobilization by the caregivers. It seems necessary to compare these data with a prospective study to determine the prevalence of NOD in ICU, or even to define a patient profile at risk of developing NOD in ICU.

The impact of nUrsiNg DEliRium Preventive INnterventions in the Intensive Care Unit (UNDERPIN-ICU): A study protocol for a multi-centre, stepped wedge randomized controlled trial

BackgroundDelirium is a common disorder in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients and is associated with serious short- and long-term consequences, including re-intubations, ICU readmissions, prolonged ICU and hospital stay, persistent cognitive problems, and higher mortality rates. Considering the high incidence of delirium and its consequences, prevention of delirium is imperative. This study focuses on a program of standardized nursing and physical therapy interventions to prevent delirium in the ICU, called UNDERPIN-ICU (nUrsiNg DEliRium Preventive INterventions in the ICU). Objective: To determine the effect of the UNDERPIN-ICU program on the number of delirium-coma-free days in 28days and several secondary outcomes, such as delirium incidence, the number of days of survival in 28 and 90days and delirium-related outcomes. Design and settingA multicenter stepped wedge cluster randomized controlled trial. MethodsEight to ten Dutch ICUs will implement the UNDERPIN-ICU program in a randomized order. Every two months the UNDERPIN-ICU program will be implemented in an additional ICU following a two months period of staff training. UNDERPIN-ICU consists of standardized protocols focusing on several modifiable risk factors for delirium, including cognitive impairment, sleep deprivation, immobility and visual and hearing impairment. ParticipantsICU patients aged ≥18years (surgical, medical, or trauma) and at high risk for delirium, E-PRE-DELIRIC ≥35%, will be included, unless delirium was detected prior ICU admission, expected length of ICU stay is less then one day or when delirium assessment is not possible. DiscussionFor every intervention the balance between putative benefit and potential unwanted side effects needs to be considered. In non-ICU patients, it has been shown that a similar program resulted in a significant reduction of delirium incidence and duration. Recent small studies using multi component interventions to prevent delirium in ICU patients have also shown beneficial effect, without unwanted side effects. We therefore feel that the proportionality of potential positive effects of the UNDERPIN-ICU program, weighed against potential unwanted side effects is favourable. Since this has not been rigorously proven in ICU patients, we will study the effects of this program in ICU patients using a stepped wedge design. Trial registrationThe study is registered in the clinical trials registry: https://clinicaltrials.gov/. Reporting methodStandard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Interventional Trails (SPIRIT).

Development and psychometric evaluation of a questionnaire on nurses' clinical competence eye care in intensive care unit patients.

Given the high prevalence of eye disorders in intensive care units, evaluating critical care nurses' competence in providing standard eye care is a matter of utmost importance. However, to the best of our knowledge, there is no valid questionnaire for measuring nurses' competence to undertake eye care. The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate the psychometric properties of a questionnaire on nurses' clinical competence in providing eye care to patients hospitalized in intensive care units. This was a psychometric study. We initially performed a literature review and developed a 38-item questionnaire consisting of knowledge, attitude and practice domains. We invited a panel of experts and a group of critical care nurses to assess the content and face validity of the questionnaire. Thereafter, we evaluated its construct validity by using the exploratory factor analysis and the known-groups comparison technique. Moreover, the test-retest and the internal consistency evaluation techniques were used for assessing the reliability of the questionnaire. Totally, 35 items remained in the final version of the questionnaire. Based on the results of the exploratory factor analysis, we categorized the items of the questionnaire into three factors. The Cronbach's alpha for the attitude and the practice domains as well as the Kuder-Richardson 20 for the knowledge domain showed satisfactory internal consistency. The Cronbach's alpha for the whole questionnaire also was 0·83. The results of this study suggest that the nurses' clinical competence in eye care questionnaire has a good factor structure and an acceptable reliability. A complication of sedation and coma is that some patients are unable to maintain effective eyelid closure. These patients present a higher risk of eye complications. Development of tools for evaluating nurses' competence in providing standard eye care is a fundamental prerequisite for improving the quality of eye care.

Echography in brain imaging in intensive care unit: State of the art.

Transcranial sonography (TCS) is an ultrasound-based imaging technique, which allows the identification of several structures within the brain parenchyma. In the past it has been applied for bedside assessment of different intracranial pathologies in children. Presently, TCS is also used on adult patients to diagnose intracranial space occupying lesions of various origins, intracranial hemorrhage, hydrocephalus, midline shift and neurodegenerative movement disorders, in both acute and chronic clinical settings. In comparison with conventional neuroimaging methods (such as computed tomography or magnetic resonance), TCS has the advantages of low costs, short investigation times, repeatability, and bedside availability. These noninvasive characteristics, together with the possibility of offering a continuous patient neuro-monitoring system, determine its applicability in the monitoring of multiple emergency and non-emergency settings. Currently, TCS is a still underestimated imaging modality that requires a wider diffusion and a qualified training process. In this review we focused on the main indications of TCS for the assessment of acute neurologic disorders in intensive care unit.

Factitious Disorder in Intensive Care Unit — Are We Doing Enough?

A 23-year-old woman presented with clinical signs and symptoms suggestive of acute severe asthma requiring intensive care admission. She was later diagnosed to have factitious disorder. This case report highlights the importance of diagnosing factitious disorder in the intensive care unit and the teamwork required in dealing with such cases to prevent recurrence, mortality and litigation.

Prevention of ICU delirium and delirium-related outcome with haloperidol: a study protocol for a multicenter randomized controlled trial

BackgroundDelirium is a frequent disorder in intensive care unit (ICU) patients with serious consequences. Therefore, preventive treatment for delirium may be beneficial. Worldwide, haloperidol is the first choice for pharmacological treatment of delirious patients. In daily clinical practice, a lower dose is sometimes used as prophylaxis. Some studies have shown the beneficial effects of prophylactic haloperidol on delirium incidence as well as on mortality, but evidence for effectiveness in ICU patients is limited. The primary objective of our study is to determine the effect of haloperidol prophylaxis on 28-day survival. Secondary objectives include the incidence of delirium and delirium-related outcome and the side effects of haloperidol prophylaxis.MethodsThis will be a multicenter three-armed randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, prophylactic intervention study in critically ill patients. We will include consecutive non-neurological ICU patients, aged ≥18 years with an expected ICU length of stay >1 day. To be able to demonstrate a 15% increase in 28-day survival time with a power of 80% and alpha of 0.05 in both intervention groups, a total of 2,145 patients will be randomized; 715 in each group. The anticipated mortality rate in the placebo group is 12%. The intervention groups will receive prophylactic treatment with intravenous haloperidol 1 mg/q8h or 2 mg/q8h, and patients in the control group will receive placebo (sodium chloride 0.9%), both for a maximum period of 28-days. In patients who develop delirium, study medication will be stopped and patients will subsequently receive open label treatment with a higher (therapeutic) dose of haloperidol. We will use descriptive summary statistics as well as Cox proportional hazard regression analyses, adjusted for covariates.DiscussionThis will be the first large-scale multicenter randomized controlled prevention study with haloperidol in ICU patients with a high risk of delirium, adequately powered to demonstrate an effect on 28-day survival.Trial registrationClinicaltrials.gov: NCT01785290.EudraCT number: 2012-004012-66.

Intensive care unit environment may affect the course of delirium

Delirium is a common disorder in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. It is unclear whether ICU environment affects delirium. We investigated the influence of ICU environment on the number of days with delirium during ICU admission. In this prospective before-after study, ICU delirium was compared between a conventional ICU with wards and a single-room ICU with, among others, improved daylight exposure. We included patients admitted for more than 24 h between March and June 2009 (ICU with wards) or between June and September 2010 (single-room ICU). Patients who remained unresponsive throughout ICU admission were excluded. The presence of delirium in the preceding 24 h was assessed daily with the confusion assessment method for the ICU (CAM-ICU) by research physicians combined with evaluation of medical and nursing charts. The number of days with delirium was investigated with Poisson regression analysis. We included 55 patients (449 observation days) in the ICU with wards and 75 patients (468 observation days) in the single-room ICU. After adjusting for confounding, the number of days with delirium decreased by 0.4 days (95 % confidence interval 0.1-0.7) in the single-room ICU (p = 0.005). The incidence of delirium during ICU stay was similar in the ICU with wards (51 %) and in the single-room ICU (45 %, p = 0.53). This study is the first to show that ICU environment may influence the course of delirium in ICU patients.

Hyperactive Delirium and Blood Glucose Control in Critically Ill Patients

Delirium is a common complication of critically ill patients and is often associated with metabolic disorders. One of the most frequent metabolic disorders in intensive care unit (ICU) patients is hyperglycaemia. The aim of this retrospective study of 196 adult ICU patients was to determine if there is an association between hyperactive delirium and blood glucose levels in ICU patients. Hyperactive delirium was diagnosed using the delirium detection score. Blood glucose levels were monitored by blood gas analysis every 4 h. Hyperactive delirium was detected in 55 (28%) patients. Delirious patients showed significantly higher blood glucose levels than non-delirious patients Higher overall complication rates, length of ventilation, ICU stay and mortality rates were seen in the delirium group. In a multivariate analysis, glucose level, alcohol abuse, APACHE II score, complication by hospital-acquired pneumonia and a diagnosis of polytrauma on-admission all significantly influenced the appearance of delirium.

Factitious psychosis: phenomenology, family history, and long-term outcome of nine patients.

Factitious psychological symptoms are defined in DSM-III as symptoms that are under the patient's voluntary control. Using specific criteria for the presence of voluntary control, the authors identified a cohort of 9 patients with factitious psychotic symptoms from among 219 patients consecutively admitted to a research ward for psychotic disorders. The phenomenology and family history of the patients suggested that they were a homogeneous group. All had similar DSM-III personality disorders, and most had a remarkably poor long-term outcome.