The implementation of nUrsiNg DEliRium preventive INterventions in the Intensive Care Unit (UNDERPIN-ICU): A qualitative evaluation

Bram Tilburgs; Paul J T Rood; Marieke Zegers; Mark van den Boogaard; UNDERPIN-ICU study group

doi:10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2022.104386

The implementation of nUrsiNg DEliRium preventive INterventions in the Intensive Care Unit (UNDERPIN-ICU): A qualitative evaluation

Int J Nurs Stud. 2023 Jan:137:104386. doi: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2022.104386. Epub 2022 Nov 8.

Authors

Bram Tilburgs¹, Paul J T Rood², Marieke Zegers³, Mark van den Boogaard³; UNDERPIN-ICU study group

Affiliations

¹ Radboud University Medical Center, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Postbus 9101, 6500, HB, Nijmegen, the Netherlands. Electronic address: Bram.Tilburgs@radboudumc.nl.
² Radboud University Medical Center, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Postbus 9101, 6500, HB, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; HAN University of Applied Sciences, School of Health Studies, Research Department of Emergency and Critical Care, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
³ Radboud University Medical Center, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Postbus 9101, 6500, HB, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.

PMID: 36427481
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2022.104386

Abstract

Background: Delirium frequently occurs in intensive care unit patients and is associated with worse outcomes. Recently, a multicomponent non-pharmacological nursing intervention program called UNDERPIN-ICU, was implemented in ten Dutch intensive care units. The program was aimed at delirium reduction by optimizing four modifiable risk factors: visual and hearing impairment, cognitive impairment, immobility, and sleep deprivation. Despite its scientific fundament and extensive implementation, this program showed no effect on delirium outcomes.

Objective: To explore factors that hindered or facilitated the application of the UNDERPIN-ICU delirium program in daily practice as experienced by healthcare professionals.

Methods: Semi-structured focus group interviews were conducted in all participating centers between April and June of 2019. Directed content and thematic analyses were applied. Interviews were coded. Codes were grouped into categories based on factors that hindered or facilitated program application.

Results: In total, 22 ICU nurses, 3 ICU physicians, 5 local delirium group members and one research manager participated in 10 focus group interviews. We found 41 factors that hindered or facilitated program application, grouped into five categories: interventions; individual healthcare professional; patient; implementation process; capacity for change, incentives and resources. Among the factors identified in this study, the facilitating factors included standardized interventions, a structured implementation, interactive educational meetings and, feedback and support. The hindering factors included doubts about usefulness, feasibility, the extensive number of program components, limited knowledge about the program and a focus on physical care.

Conclusion: Factors that hindered program application may explain why the UNDERPIN-ICU program did not have positive effects on delirium outcomes. Factors that facilitated application should be strengthened in future non-pharmacological nursing interventions to prevent or reduce delirium in intensive care.

Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03002701; registration date December 26, 2016.

Keywords: Critical care; Critical care nursing; Delirium; Focus groups; Implementation science; Qualitative research.

MeSH terms

Critical Care
Delirium* / prevention & control
Focus Groups
Humans
Intensive Care Units
Physicians*

Associated data

ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT03002701