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Martinez FE, Tee R, Poulter AL, Jordan L, Bell L, Balogh ZJ. Delirium Screening and Pharmacotherapy in the ICU: The Patients Are Not the Only Ones Confused. J Clin Med 2023; 12:5671. [PMID: 37685738 PMCID: PMC10488395 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12175671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Delirium is difficult to measure in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). It is possible that by considering the rate of screening, incidence, and rate of treatment with antipsychotic medications (APMs) for suspected delirium, a clearer picture can emerge. Methods: A retrospective, observational study was conducted at two ICUs in Australia, between April and June of 2020. All adult ICU patients were screened; those who spoke English and did not have previous neurocognitive pathology or intracranial pathology were included in the analysis. Data were collected from the hospitals' electronic medical records. The primary outcome was incidence of delirium based on the use of the Confusion Assessment Method for ICU (CAM-ICU). Secondary outcomes included measures of screening for delirium, treatment of suspected delirium with APMs, and identifying clinical factors associated with both delirium and the use of APMs. Results: From 736 patients that were screened, 665 were included in the analysis. The incidence of delirium was 11.3% (75/665); on average, the Richmond Agitation and Sedation Scale (RASS) was performed every 2.9 h and CAM-ICU every 40 h. RASS was not performed in 8.4% (56/665) of patients and CAM-ICU was not performed in 40.6% (270/665) of patients. A total of 17% (113/665) of patients were prescribed an APM, with quetiapine being the most used. ICU length of stay (LOS), APACHE-III score, and the use of alpha-2 agonists were associated with the presence of delirium, while ICU LOS, the use of alpha-2 agonists, and the presence of delirium were associated with patients receiving APMs. Conclusions: The incidence of delirium was lower than previously reported, at 11.3%. The rate of screening for delirium was low, while the use of APMs for delirium was higher than the incidence of delirium. It is possible that the true incidence is higher than what was measured. Critical prospective assessment is required to optimize APM indications in the ICU.
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Affiliation(s)
- F. Eduardo Martinez
- Intensive Care Unit, John Hunter Hospital, Lookout Road, New Lambton Heights, Newcastle, NSW 2305, Australia; (F.E.M.); (R.T.); (A.-L.P.); (L.J.); (L.B.)
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Rebecca Tee
- Intensive Care Unit, John Hunter Hospital, Lookout Road, New Lambton Heights, Newcastle, NSW 2305, Australia; (F.E.M.); (R.T.); (A.-L.P.); (L.J.); (L.B.)
| | - Amber-Louise Poulter
- Intensive Care Unit, John Hunter Hospital, Lookout Road, New Lambton Heights, Newcastle, NSW 2305, Australia; (F.E.M.); (R.T.); (A.-L.P.); (L.J.); (L.B.)
| | - Leah Jordan
- Intensive Care Unit, John Hunter Hospital, Lookout Road, New Lambton Heights, Newcastle, NSW 2305, Australia; (F.E.M.); (R.T.); (A.-L.P.); (L.J.); (L.B.)
| | - Liam Bell
- Intensive Care Unit, John Hunter Hospital, Lookout Road, New Lambton Heights, Newcastle, NSW 2305, Australia; (F.E.M.); (R.T.); (A.-L.P.); (L.J.); (L.B.)
| | - Zsolt J. Balogh
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
- Department of Traumatology, John Hunter Hospital, Lookout Road, New Lambton Heights, Newcastle, NSW 2305, Australia
- Injury and Trauma Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW 2305, Australia
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Sedation selection to reduce delirium risk: Why dexmedetomidine may be a better choice. J Am Assoc Nurse Pract 2020; 33:266-270. [PMID: 31972787 DOI: 10.1097/jxx.0000000000000364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2019] [Accepted: 10/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT In 2018, the Society of Critical Care Medicine published the Pain Agitation Delirium Immobility and Sleep Disruption guidelines that recommend protocol assessment-based pain and sedation management. Since the publication of these guidelines, multiple studies and meta-analyses have been conducted comparing sedative options in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) setting including dexmedetomidine and propofol. Sedatives are on a continuum when it comes to delirium risk. Propofol, like benzodiazepines, causes changes in sleep patterns by suppressing the rapid eye movement sleep stage not seen with dexmedetomidine, worsening the ICU patient's already poor sleep quality. This reduction in sleep quality increases the risk of delirium. As patient advocates, advanced practice nurses play a vital role in minimizing risk of patient harm. Sedative use and management are areas of opportunity for nurses to minimize this risk. When sedatives are needed, daily sedation vacations should be conducted to re-evaluate the minimum required dose. These practices can reduce sedation risks for delirium and allow for bedside screening and early detection.
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