Intensive Care Units In Germany Research Articles

Einarbeitung in der Intensivmedizin

As staff shortage in intensive care medicine increases, sustainable recruitment and retention of qualified professionals becomes increasingly crucial. Current surveys indicate that sufficient onboarding is a key element to success in this context. The recommendations outlined in the position paper "Onboarding in intensive care medicine" aim to address this issue by guiding towards comprehensive, structured onboarding of professionals. The primary goal of providing such structured onboarding is to increase employee satisfaction, ensure the well-being and safety of both care providers and patients, and guarantee long-term supply of intensive care medicine for the population. This paper was developed under the leadership of the Junge DIVI, a multidisciplinary and multiprofessional initiative of young professionals, within the German Interdisciplinary Association of Critical Care and Emergency Medicine (DIVI). It was based on a systematic literature research and consensus-building among various professional groups and disciplines, offering - for the first time - uniform, standardized, practical guidance for implementing structured onboarding for different professionals in intensive care units in Germany.

Evaluating the Construct Validity of the Charité Alarm Fatigue Questionnaire using Confirmatory Factor Analysis.

The Charité Alarm Fatigue Questionnaire (CAFQa) is a 9-item questionnaire that aims to standardize how alarm fatigue in nurses and physicians is measured. We previously hypothesized that it has 2 correlated scales, one on the psychosomatic effects of alarm fatigue and the other on staff's coping strategies in working with alarms. We aimed to validate the hypothesized structure of the CAFQa and thus underpin the instrument's construct validity. We conducted 2 independent studies with nurses and physicians from intensive care units in Germany (study 1: n=265; study 2: n=1212). Responses to the questionnaire were analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis with the unweighted least-squares algorithm based on polychoric covariances. Convergent validity was assessed by participants' estimation of their own alarm fatigue and exposure to false alarms as a percentage. In both studies, the χ2 test reached statistical significance (study 1: χ226=44.9; P=.01; study 2: χ226=92.4; P<.001). Other fit indices suggested a good model fit (in both studies: root mean square error of approximation <0.05, standardized root mean squared residual <0.08, relative noncentrality index >0.95, Tucker-Lewis index >0.95, and comparative fit index >0.995). Participants' mean scores correlated moderately with self-reported alarm fatigue (study 1: r=0.45; study 2: r=0.53) and weakly with self-perceived exposure to false alarms (study 1: r=0.3; study 2: r=0.33). The questionnaire measures the construct of alarm fatigue as proposed in our previous study. Researchers and clinicians can rely on the CAFQa to measure the alarm fatigue of nurses and physicians.

Less Invasive Surfactant Administration in Preterm Infants in Tertiary Neonatal Intensive Care Units in Germany: A Survey

Introduction: The European guideline for treatment of respiratory distress syndrome recommends less invasive surfactant administration (LISA) as the preferred method of surfactant administration in spontaneously breathing preterm infants. However, there is limited evidence on practical aspects such as sedation and catheter types, leading to considerable variability between centers. Methods: An anonymous online survey (www.soscisurvey.de) was sent to 164 tertiary neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in Germany including 43 questions on practical aspects of LISA. Results: Of 122 (74%) participating NICUs, 117 (96%) reported experience with LISA with 82% of those reporting LISA as their preferred method of surfactant administration. Indications for surfactant administration differed widely between NICUs. Most (89%) used FiO2-thresholds only or in combination with other criteria, such as Silverman score/signs of dyspnea (41%) or lung ultrasound findings (3%). Prophylactic surfactant was administered by 42%. Differences in use of LISA in extremely immature infants were reported (e.g., 36% did not perform LISA in infants below 24–26 weeks). Preferred drugs for sedation were (Es-)Ketamine, followed by Propofol and Midazolam. Minimum time interval between subsequent LISA procedures was 4 (2–6) h. Catheters specifically designed for LISA were used by most NICUs (69%). Conclusion: This survey shows that LISA is common practice in German NICUs, but with considerable variability in practical aspects. These data may serve as a guidance for NICUs that have not yet implemented LISA and might be helpful design clinical trials with the aim to standardize and/or optimize LISA.

Lactation support in neonatal intensive care units in Germany from the mothers’ perspective – a mixed-method study of the current status and needs

BackgroundEstablishing successful lactation in mothers of very low birth weight (VLBW, <1500g) infants requires structured lactation support. Little is known about mothers’ perspectives on lactation support in German neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).MethodsThis paper features a convergent mixed-method approach that includes a retrospective, cross-sectional questionnaire and interview data to showcase mothers’ perceptions of lactation support in NICUs. Content analysis of the interviews (n = 12) and a descriptive analysis of quantitative data (n = 533) were performed to illustrate the current status and need for lactation support in German NICUs.ResultsThe results show that lactation support in German NICUs is often inadequate and does not comply with recommendations based on the existing literature to encourage pumping and breastfeeding in mothers. The data imply that even if lactation is successfully initiated in most cases, it is often not maintained over time, which may be due to a lack of personal support and consistent information.ConclusionThe overall structures and institutional guidelines for lactation support should be encouraged to promote nutrition with mother´s own milk in German NICUs.

Workforce strategies during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic: a retrospective online survey at intensive care units in Germany

BackgroundAs the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the globe at the beginning of 2020, healthcare systems were forced to rapidly adapt and expand to meet the sudden surge in demand for intensive care services. This study is the first systematic analysis of the strategies employed by German hospitals to recruit personnel and expand bed capacities during the first wave of the pandemic, and to evaluate the effectiveness of those recruitment measures.Methods152 German hospitals with intensive care capacities were selected and invited to participate in an online-based retrospective survey. Factors like the geographic distribution, individual COVID burden and level of care were considered for inclusion in the sample. The data were analyzed descriptively.ResultsA total of 41 hospitals participated in the survey. The additional demand for intensive care beds was met primarily by activating intensive care beds that were previously considered as non-operational in existing intensive care units (81% of respondents) and by upgrading recovery rooms (73%). The physician staffing requirements were met at approximately 75%, while the nursing staffing requirements were only met by about 45%. Staffing needs were met through reallocations/transfers (85%), staff recruitment from parental leave or retirement (49%), increased hours worked by internal staff (49%), new staff hiring (44%) and increased use of temporary staff (32%). Staff reallocations/transfers to critical care within a hospital were rated as the most effective measure. In this context, specialized personnel mostly from anesthesiology departments were appointed to intensive care medicine.ConclusionsDespite multiple recruitment efforts, the pandemic has exacerbated the nursing staff shortage. The reallocation of existing staff within hospitals was a key element in covering the staffing needs. However, additional measures and efforts are required in order to ensure that critically ill patients can be cared for without compromise. The results of this study may have important implications for healthcare providers and policymakers, offering an evidence-based foundation for responding to future public health emergencies with agility, efficiency, and success.

Usage of Inhalative Sedative for Sedation and Treatment of Patient with Severe Brain Injury in Germany, a Nationwide Survey.

Brain injured patients often need deep sedation to prevent or treat increased intracranial pressure. The mainly used IV sedatives have side effects and/or high context-sensitive half-lives, limiting their use. Inhalative sedatives have comparatively minor side effects and a brief context-sensitive half-life. Despite the theoretical advantages, evidence in this patient group is lacking. A Germany-wide survey with 21 questions was conducted to find out how widespread the use of inhaled sedation is. An invitation for the survey was sent to 226 leaders of intensive care units (ICU) treating patients with brain injury as listed by the German Society for Neurointensive Care. Eighty-nine participants answered the questionnaire, but not all items were responded to, which resulted in different absolute counts. Most of them (88%) were university or high-level hospital ICU leaders and (67%) were leaders of specialized neuro-ICUs. Of these, 53/81 (65%) use inhalative sedation, and of the remaining 28, 17 reported interest in using this kind of sedation. Isoflurane is used by 43/53 (81%), sevoflurane by 15/53 (28%), and desflurane by 2. Hypotension and mydriasis are the most common reported side effects (25%). The presented survey showed that inhalative sedatives were used in a significant number of intensive care units in Germany to treat severely brain-injured patients.

Therapeutic Use of Cannabinoids in Critically Ill Patients: A Survey of Intensive Care Physicians in Germany.

Background: In the course of the legalization of cannabis for therapeutic purposes in Germany, there has been growing interest in the medical use of cannabinoids. To date, the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids for the treatment of critically ill patients has not been explored. Objectives: This study aims to understand better whether and how frequently cannabinoids have been administered to critically ill patients in recent years. Study Design: Initially, a survey was conducted among physicians working in intensive care units (ICUs) at the Hannover Medical School. Subsequently, 653 physicians working in ICUs throughout Germany were surveyed. The frequency and regimen of cannabinoid therapy initiated by the participating physicians in the last 2 years at the time of the survey were characterized. Results: Eight out of 9 physicians at Hannover Medical School and 59 out of 653 physicians in ICUs in Germany participated. At Hannover Medical School, 6 out of 8 physicians and in ICUs in Germany, 16 out of 59 physicians had used cannabinoids in some patients (mainly 9-10) during the 2-year period studied, with dronabinol in doses between 1 and 20 mg being their cannabinoid of choice. Metabolic and psychological distress and medication savings, followed by pain and nausea/vomiting, were the most frequently cited indications for cannabinoid therapy. No relevant safety issues arrived. Lack of personal experience, limited evidence, and gaps in knowledge were the most commonly cited reservations about cannabinoid use. Conclusions: During a 2-year period, dronabinol is used in a few critically ill patients in ICUs. The main indications are to reduce metabolic and psychological distress and to save medication. The majority of participating physicians indicated that the use of cannabinoids in the context of critical care medicine needs further exploration.

Erythrocyte transfusions are associated with retinopathy of prematurity in extremely low gestational age newborns.

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a major morbidity in preterm infants causing visual impairment including blindness. Prevention and timely treatment are critical. We investigated the potential role of red blood cell (RBC) transfusions as risk factor for ROP development. Retrospective cohort study of data from 68 tertiary level neonatal intensive care units in Germany. Preterm infants born at 22 + 0 to 28 + 6 weeks of gestation between January 2009 and December 2021 were enrolled. We included n = 12 565 infants. Prevalence of any ROP was 49.2% with most infants being diagnosed with stage 1 (21.5%) and 2 disease (17.2%). ROP stage 3 was present in 10.2%, stage 4 in 0.3%, and ROP requiring treatment in 6.6%. Infants with ROP had significantly more frequently a history of RBC transfusions. Adjusting for confounders, RBC transfusions were associated with increased odds of ROP (OR 1.4, p < 0.001), ROP progression (OR 2.1, p < 0.01) and ROP requiring treatment (OR 3.6, p < 0.001). Restrictive transfusion approaches correlated with decreased (OR 0.7, p < 0.001), liberal regimes with increased odds (OR 1.2, p = 0.001). The present study confirmed an association of RBC transfusions and ROP. Our findings emphasise the need for anaemia prevention and critical re-evaluation of transfusion practices in preterm infants.

COVID-19 crisis management of German ICU clinicians in leadership - a metaphor analysis.

The COVID-19 pandemic coincided with an already long-standing crisis in health systems around the world characterized by economic pressure and increasing staff shortage. "Crisis" became a global metaphor to convey collective experiences of the COVID-19 threat. Little is known on how crisis metaphors influence thought and speech on crisis management and the challenging staff situation of intensive care unit (ICU) clinicians in leadership positions and how they act. Therefore, we were interested in (1) which metaphorical concepts ICU clinicians in leadership use to express experiences and strategies in dealing with coinciding crises, (2) how these change over time, and (3) how metaphors in speech reveal self-images of crisis management. We conducted a systematic metaphor analysis focusing on data from three participants of a qualitative interview study with twenty-four healthcare professionals in ICUs in Germany. The participants were interviewed at two time points between April 2020 and March 2021. We identified and reconstructed metaphorical concepts of three interviewees (ICU clinicians in leadership) with regard to the pandemic management, and developed a typology based on the dimensions of mood, modus operandi, location, and scope. The typology consists of eight self-images (protagonists) for the crisis management of ICU clinicians in leadership, such as the figure of the soldier ("to unite everyone behind this flag"), the distributor ("sometimes it is a crazy patchwork [wahnsinniges Gestückel]") or the critic ("we are the fool for everything"). They embody different qualities of a leader and refer to intra- and inter-role conflicts within multiple crisis conditions. Metaphor analysis reveals different self-images of ICU leadership clinicians in relation to crisis management. This illustrates that thinking and perceptions of crisis management may strongly differ between and within leaders and may change over the course of crises. Our findings highlight the need both to improve knowledge on challenges associated with leadership in crises and preparedness, and to support clinicians in their leadership by recognizing and addressing differences and changes in leaders' self-image.

The structural and spatial design of German intensive care units from the point of view of infection control measures : Survey among ICU-KISS participants

Intensive care unit (ICU) structural and spatial design may play arole in infection prevention and control. Between 09/2021 and 11/2021 we performed an online survey among ICUs in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. A total of 597 (40%) of the invited ICUs answered the survey; 20% of the ICUs were built before 1990. The median number of single rooms with interquartile range is 4(IQR 2-6). The median total room number is 8(IQR 6-12). The median room size is 19(IQR 16-22) m2 for single rooms and 31(26-37.5) m2 for multiple bed rooms. Furthermore, 80% of ICUs have sinks and 86.4% have heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC) systems in patient rooms. 54.6% of ICUs must store materials outside of storage rooms due to lack of space and only 33.5% have aroom dedicated to disinfection and cleaning of used medical devices. Comparing ICUs built before 1990 and after 2011 we could show aslightly increase of single rooms (3[IQR 2-5] before 1990vs. 5[IQR 2-8] after 2011; p < 0.001). Alarge proportion of German ICUs do not meet the requirements of German professional societies regarding the number of single rooms and size of the patient rooms. Many ICUs lack storage space and other functional rooms. There is an urgent need to support the construction and renovation of intensive care units in Germany with adequate funding.

What Excitement Between Leaders Brings

Psychological safety enhances information sharing and learning in organizations, and thus, performance. While we know that leaders matter for an organization’s psychological safety to flourish, prior research struggles to separate social-exchange and social-learning based explanations. To address this shortcoming, we connect theory on relational affect and psychological safety. We theorize when and how leader relational excitement—i.e., the excitement that a leader experiences when working with another leader—shapes their organization’s psychological safety, and eventually, the organization’s performance trajectory. We test our theory using matched data on 66 leader dyads of 66 neonatal intensive care units in Germany with survey data from 1,500 subordinates, and objective organization performance data across three years. Our results largely support our theorizing. We derive theoretical implications for the literatures on psychological safety and relational affect. We also provide managerial implications.

Standardized concentrations for continuous infusion-results of anationwide survey in German intensive care units

HintergrundIntensivpatienten erhalten zahlreiche Arzneimittel (AM) als Dauerinfusion appliziert. In Deutschland fehlt bisher für die als Dauerinfusion applizierten AM eine einheitliche Liste mit Standardkonzentrationen.Ziel der ArbeitZiel war es, bundesweit repräsentative Informationen zu Standardkonzentrationen von als Dauerinfusion mittels Spritzenpumpe oder Infusionspumpe applizierten AM auf den Intensivstationen zu gewinnen.Material und MethodenZur Ermittlung der Akzeptanz und Präferenz für Dauerinfusionen von ausgewählten AM wurde ein Fragenkatalog in einem online- Umfragetool entwickelt und von der DIVI an die jeweils verantwortlichen Leiter*innen von 1816 Intensivstationen versendet. Die Umfrage umfasste Vorschläge zu 59 AM mit insgesamt 73 Konzentrationen. Ergänzend konnten die Teilnehmer in Freitextfeldern eigene Vorschläge zu AM und entsprechenden Konzentrationen angeben. Die Häufigkeit der Verwendung der Arzneimittel als Dauerinfusion und der präferierten Standardkonzentrationen wurde bezogen auf die Zahl der Antworten pro Arzneimittel berechnet.ErgebnisseDie Umfrage wurde von 312 (17 %) Intensivstationen beantwortet. Die Akzeptanzrate für das Prinzip der geschwindigkeitsgesteuerten Dauerinfusion in Standardkonzentrationen ist deutschlandweit sehr hoch, Die Top 10 bzw. 25 der vorgeschlagenen AM werden von über 90 % bzw. 50 % der Teilnehmer regelmäßig als Dauerinfusion eingesetzt. Für viele dieser AM konnte eine oder mehrere präferierte Konzentrationen identifiziert werden.DiskussionDie Top-37-Arzneimittel und die präferierten Konzentrationen sind als Grundlage für eine bundesweit geltende Standardliste mit Standardkonzentrationen für Dauerinfusionen (in der Regel 50 ml) geeignet. Die damit befassten Fachgesellschaften können basierend auf den Umfrageergebnissen eine bundeseinheitliche Standardliste konsentieren.

Surveillance of Enterobacter cloacae complex colonization and comparative analysis of different typing methods on a neonatal intensive care unit in Germany

BackgroundEnterobacter cloacae complex is a group of common opportunistic pathogens on neonatal intensive care units. Active microbiological screening to guide empirical antimicrobial treatment or to detect transmission events is recommended in high-risk preterm neonates. A rise in colonization with E. cloacae complex was observed in a German perinatal centre. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of different typing techniques using whole genome sequencing (WGS) as a reference.MethodsEnterobacter cloacae complex isolates from clinical and screening specimens with an epidemiological link to the neonatal intensive care units were further assessed. Identification and antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed by a combination of VITEK2 (bioMérieux) and MALDI-TOF (Bruker Daltonics), followed by RAPD/rep-PCR and PFGE (XbaI). Retrospectively, all isolates were analyzed by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy (IR Biotyper, Bruker Daltonics). Whole genome sequencing with SNP-based clustering was used as the reference method. Furthermore, resistome analysis, sequence type and species identification were derived from the WGS data. Transmission analysis was based on epidemiological and typing data.ResultsBetween September 2017 and March 2018 32 mostly preterm neonates were found to be colonized with E. cloacae complex and 32 isolates from 24 patients were available for further typing. RAPD/rep-PCR and PFGE showed good concordance with WGS whereas FTIR displayed mediocre results [adjusted rand index (ARI) = 0.436]. A polyclonal increase and two dominant and overlapping clonal clusters of two different E. hormaechei subspecies were detected. Overall, four different species were identified. Genotyping confirmed third-generation cephalosporin resistance development in isolates of the same patient. During the six-month period several infection prevention interventions were performed and no E. cloacae complex isolates were observed during the following months.ConclusionsInterpretation of the microbiological results alone to detect transmission events is often challenging and bacterial typing is of utmost importance to implement targeted infection control measures in an epidemic occurrence of E. cloacae complex. WGS is the most discriminatory method. However, traditional methods such as PFGE or RAPD/rep-PCR can provide reliable and quicker results in many settings. Furthermore, research is needed to quickly identify E. cloacae complex to the species level in the microbiological laboratory.

Detection of delirium by family members in the intensive care unit: Translation, Cross-Cultural adaptation and validation of the Family Confusion Assessment Method for the German-Speaking area.

The aim of this study was the translation, cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Family Confusion Assessment Method in critically ill patients. Delirium is a frequently unrecognized disorder in critically ill patients. Visiting family members might be the first to notice subtle changes in a patient's cognition and behaviour. The Family Confusion Assessment Method was developed to detect delirium by family members, but has not been available for the German-speaking area yet. A prospective validation study was conducted between January 2020 and October 2020. The Family Confusion Assessment Method was translated into German according to the Principles of Good Practice for the Translation and Cultural Adaptation Process for Patient-Reported Outcomes. Subsequently, we compared the Family Confusion Assessment Method with the Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit in critically ill patients and their family members in a medical intensive care unit in Germany. We included 50 dyads of critically ill patients and their family members. The prevalence of delirium measured by Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit was 44%. Cohen's kappa coefficient was 0.84. The German Family Confusion Assessment Method had a high sensitivity of 95.5% and specificity of 89.3%. The positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 87.5% and 96.2% respectively. These findings suggest that the German Family Confusion Assessment Method is an accurate assessment tool for delirium detection in the intensive care unit by family members. Furthermore, the results indicate that family members may identify delirium by the Family Confusion Assessment Method without prior training. Collaborating medical staff with patients' family members to detect delirium in the intensive care unit may lead to early recognition of delirium.

Drug therapy safety supported by interprofessional collaboration between ICU physicians and clinical pharmacists in critical care units in Germany : Results of asurvey

Critically ill patients are particularly susceptible to adverse drug events. International studies show that pharmaceutical care has apositive impact on patient and drug therapy safety. Nationally, the integration of pharmacists into the multidisciplinary team and participation in ward rounds is required. The aim of this work is to assess the scope and extent of pharmaceutical care in intensive care units (ICU) in Germany. In aliterature and database search, 13relevant pharmaceutical activities were identified. Based on this, an online survey with 27questions on the implementation of pharmaceutical care in ICU was prepared by apanel of experts. The survey was sent to heads of German ICUs. Of the participants, 35.3% (59/167) have established regular pharmaceutical care. Drug information (89.7% [52/58]), pharmaceutical interventions with change of therapy (e.g., ward rounds; 67,2% [39/58]), regular evaluation of prescriptions (medication analysis; 65.5% [38/58]) as well as the monitoring of medication (e.g., side effects, effectiveness, costs; 63.8% [37/58]) were most frequently mentioned. The participants with pharmaceutical care (58/168) graded 7of13 but those without (104/168) only two activities as 'essential/indispensable'. Only afew ICU in Germany have already integrated ward pharmacists into the multidisciplinary team. Once apharmaceutical service has been established, agreater role/importance is assigned to several pharmaceutical activities.

Initiation of lactation and the provision of human milk to preterm infants in German neonatal intensive care units from the mothers\u2019 perspective

BackgroundIf infants with a very low birth weight (VLBW) are to be fed exclusively with human milk, it is essential to focus on lactation initiation. The aim of the study is to learn more about the current state of lactation initiation and human milk provision in neonatal intensive care units in Germany from the mothers' perspective.MethodsWritten surveys were conducted with mothers of VLBW infants to learn more about the timing of initiation of lactation, pumping frequency during the first three days postpartum and feeding of the preterm infant during hospitalisation.ResultsThe data of 437 mothers (response rate: 44.7%) were included in the analyses. Of these, only 7.8% stated that they had initiated lactation immediately after delivery and 38.2% within 6 h. In terms of pumping frequency, 50.1% pumped 7–9 times a day within the first 3 days postpartum; 60.9% reported that their infant received formula feedings during the hospital stay.ConclusionOverall, deficits were still evident with regard to the initiation of lactation in mothers of VLBW infants in Germany, resulting in a large proportion of VLBW infants receiving formula in the hospital.Trial registrationGerman Clinical Trial Register: DRKS00017755.

Intensive Care Unit-Acquired Weakness : Anationwide survey on diagnostics, monitoring and treatment strategies on German intensive care units

HintergrundDie „Intensive Care Unit-Acquired Weakness“ (ICU-AW) ist eine der häufigsten Ursachen für eine neuromuskuläre Dysfunktion in der Intensivmedizin. Gegenwärtig fehlen evidenzbasierte Empfehlungen zur Diagnostik, zum Monitoring und zu therapeutischen Maßnahmen.Ziel der ArbeitDie Erfassung des derzeitigen Vorgehens bei Diagnostik, Monitoring und präventiven und therapeutischen Ansätzen bei der ICU-AW auf deutschen Intensivstationen.Material und MethodenOnlinebefragung von 448 Mitgliedern des Wissenschaftlichen Arbeitskreises Intensivmedizin (WAKI) und des Wissenschaftlichen Arbeitskreises Neuroanästhesie (WAKNA).ErgebnisseInsgesamt wurden 68/448 (15,2 %) Fragebogen ausgewertet. Bei 13,4 % (9/67) der Befragten existiert ein strukturiertes diagnostisches Vorgehen zur Detektion der ICU-AW. Für Screening (60/68; 88,2 %) und Verlaufsbeurteilung (57/65; 87,7 %) wird die klinische Untersuchung präferiert. Etablierte Scores, wie der „Medical Research Council sum score“ (MRC-SS) spielen für Screening und Verlaufskontrolle der ICU-AW eine untergeordnete Rolle (7/68; 10,3 % und 7/65; 10,8 %). Mobilisation (45/68; 66,2 %) und Sedativareduktion (38/68; 55,9 %) stellen die häufigsten präventiven und therapeutischen Ansätze dar. Ein Mangel an Physiotherapeuten (64/68; 94,1 %) und Pflegekräften (57/68; 83,8 %) wird als Hauptdefizit bei der Versorgung von Patienten mit ICU-AW identifiziert. Insgesamt 91,2 % (62/68) der Befragten befürworten die Erstellung evidenzbasierter Empfehlungen zur Diagnostik, zum Monitoring und zu therapeutischen Ansätzen bei ICU-AW.DiskussionEin einheitliches Konzept für Diagnostik, Monitoring, Prävention und Therapie der ICU-AW auf deutschen Intensivstationen fehlt weitgehend. Innovative diagnostische Ansätze könnten in Zukunft helfen, Patienten mit einem hohem Risiko für eine ICU-AW frühzeitig zu detektieren, präventive Maßnahmen einzuleiten sowie wertvolle prognostische Informationen zu gewinnen.Zusatzmaterial onlineDie Online-Version dieses Beitrags (10.1007/s00101-022-01089-9) enthält den der Studie zugrunde liegenden Fragebogen.

Reasoning for autonomous suicide? A qualitative approach to pre-suicidal decision-making

The article presents empirical data concerning the meaning of freedom and autonomy in the emotional-cognitive processes that govern pre-suicidal decision-making. The data is derived from a qualitative interview study conducted between December 2012 and July 2014 on an intensive care unit in Germany. Twelve patients (three male, nine female; seven with pre-diagnosed mental illness) who had attempted suicide by intoxication were included. The narrative biographical approach chosen allows to capture the individuals' experiences preceding their decisions for suicide and provides insights into the biographical contexts of their decisions. Most strikingly, the narratives underline the essential importance of interpersonal relationships as well as an ambivalent reciprocity of cognitive and emotional processes in pre-suicidal reasoning, while ideas of autonomy and decision-making capacity traditionally address rational deliberation. This divergence between patients’ subjective perceptions and scholarly conceptualisations of autonomous suicide is in line with increasing criticism of conventional approaches, given that they ignore essential elements of human existence, such as values, emotions, and social interdependence. The empirical findings suggest moving beyond the idea of autonomous decision-making for suicide as a rational procedure and instead conceptualise the pre-suicidal decision-making process as a highly emotional phenomenon within a relational context. Acknowledging that suicidality is not only linked to cognitive considerations but also intertwined with or predominantly controlled by emotional dimensions, such as despair, crisis, and marginalisation, we argue that further evaluation tools are required to address suicidality in all its facets. In moving beyond the mere consideration of cognitive functions, this approach is particularly suitable for representing the reality of persons with mental illness. This provides urgently needed guidance for clinical practice, considering that the latest German jurisdiction on physician-assisted suicide holds that the right to a self-determined death cannot be refused unless an acute psychiatric condition directly caused the suicide wish.

Inhaled isoflurane via the anaesthetic conserving device versus propofol for sedation of invasively ventilated patients in intensive care units in Germany and Slovenia: an open-label, phase 3, randomised controlled, non-inferiority trial

Previous studies indicate that isoflurane could be useful for the sedation of patients in the intensive care unit (ICU), but prospective studies evaluating isoflurane's efficacy have been small. The aim of this study was to test whether the sedation with isoflurane was non-inferior to sedation with propofol. This phase 3, randomised, controlled, open-label non-inferiority trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of up to 54 h of isoflurane compared with propofol in adults (aged ≥18 years) who were invasively ventilated in ICUs in Germany (21 sites) and Slovenia (three sites). Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to isoflurane inhalation via the Sedaconda anaesthetic conserving device (ACD; Sedana Medical AB, Danderyd, Sweden; ACD-L [dead space 100 mL] or ACD-S [dead space 50 mL]) or intravenous propofol infusion (20 mg/mL) for 48 h (range 42-54) using permuted block randomisation with a centralised electronic randomisation system. The primary endpoint was percentage of time in Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale (RASS) range -1 to -4, assessed in eligible participants with at least 12 h sedation (the per-protocol population), five or more RASS measurements, and no major protocol violations, with a non-inferiority margin of 15%. Key secondary endpoints were opioid requirements, spontaneous breathing, time to wake-up and extubation, and adverse events. Safety was assessed in all patients who received at least one dose. The trial is complete and registered with EudraCT, 2016-004551-67. Between July 2, 2017, and Jan 12, 2020, 338 patients were enrolled and 301 (89%) were randomly assigned to isoflurane (n=150) or propofol (n=151). 146 patients (97%) in each group completed the 24-h follow-up. 146 (97%) patients in the isoflurane group and 148 (98%) of patients in the propofol group were included in the per-protocol analysis of the primary endpoint. Least-squares mean percentage of time in RASS target range was 90·7% (95% CI 86·8-94·6) for isoflurane and 91·1% (87·2-95·1) for propofol. With isoflurane sedation, opioid dose intensity was 29% lower than with propofol for the overall sedation period (0·22 [0·12-0·34] vs 0·32 [0·21-0·42] mg/kg per h morphine equivalent dose, p=0·0036) and spontaneous breathing was more frequent on day 1 (odds ratio [OR] 1·72 [1·12-2·64], generalised mixed linear model p=0·013, with estimated rates of 50% of observations with isoflurane vs 37% with propofol). Extubation times were short and median wake-up was significantly faster after isoflurane on day 2 (20 min [IQR 10-30] vs 30 min [11-120]; Cox regression p=0·0011). The most common adverse events by treatment group (isoflurane vs propofol) were: hypertension (ten [7%] of 150 vs two [1%] of 151), delirium (eight [5%] vs seven [5%]), oliguria (seven [5%] vs six [4%]), and atrial fibrillation (five [3%] vs four [3%]). These results support the use of isoflurane in invasively ventilated patients who have a clinical need for sedation. Sedana Medical AB.

Family-Centered Care at Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Units in Germany and the Relationship With Parent and Infant Well-Being: A Study Protocol.

Rationale and Aim: Infants with Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) are at risk for neurodevelopmental delays, emotional, social and behavioral difficulties. Hospitalization early in life and associated stressors may contribute to these challenges. Family-centered Care (FCC) is a health care approach that is respectful of and responsive to the needs and values of a family and has shown to be effective in improving health outcomes of premature infants, as well as the mental well-being of their parents. However, there is limited empirical data available on FCC practices in pediatric cardiology and associations with parent and infant outcomes.Methods and Analysis: In this cross-sectional study, we will explore FCC practices at two pediatric cardiac intensive care units in Germany, assess parent satisfaction with FCC, and investigate associations with parental mental well-being and parenting stress, as well as infant physical and mental well-being. We will collect data of 280 infants with CHD and their families. Data will be analyzed using multivariate statistics and multilevel modeling.Implications and Dissemination: The study protocol was approved by the medical ethics committees of both partner sites and registered with the German registry for clinical trials (NR DRKS00023964). This study serves as a first step to investigate FCC practices in a pediatric cardiology setting, providing insight into the relationship between FCC and parent and infant outcomes in a population of infants with CHD. Results will be disseminated in peer-reviewed journals.