Search

Background: Many patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) experience delirium. Understanding the patient perspective of delirium is important to improve care and reduce suffering. The aim of our study was to investigate the subjective patient experience of delirium, delirium‐related distress, and delirium management in ICU. Methods: Our study had a qualitative multicenter design applying individual interviews and thematic analysis. Participants were critically ill adult patients that were determined delirium positive according to validated delirium screening tools during ICU admission. The interviews were conducted after ICU discharge when patients were delirium‐free as assessed by the "Rapid clinical test for delirium" (4AT) and able to participate in an interview. Results: We interviewed 30 patients choosing the main themes deductively: Delirium experience; Delirium related distress; and Delirium management. Despite variations in recollection detail, ICU survivors consistently reported delirium‐related distress during and after their ICU stay, manifesting as temporal confusion, misinterpretations, and a sense of distrust towards ICU staff. Delusions were characterized by a blend of factual and fictional elements. Impaired short‐term memory hindered communication and intensified feelings of isolation, neglect, and loss of control. Conclusion: The ICU survivors in our study recalled delirium as an unpleasant and frightening experience, often leading to delirium‐related distress during and after their ICU stay, indicating the necessity for enhanced assessment and treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Postextubation dysphagia (PED) is a common complication to endotracheal intubation in critically ill patients and may lead to pneumonia, prolonged ventilation, longer hospital stays, and increased mortality. Recognizing dysphagia is paramount to preventing adverse events. The aim of this study was to describe PED management by investigating practice in Danish intensive care units (ICUs) focusing on current practice in 2023 (screening, prevention, and treatment), perceived best practice (barriers and facilitators), and when possible, to compare practice in 2017 and 2023. Methods: Self‐reported, cross‐sectional survey of dysphagia practice in Danish ICUs administered from April to May 2023. In addition, data were compared with the 2017 Dysphagia in Intensive Care Evaluation study, when possible. Results: Only half of Danish ICUs reported to have a PED protocol, and less than half routinely screen patients for dysphagia after extubation. Most common screening methods were the oral mechanism examination, water test, and Facio‐oral tract therapy. Nurses and physicians often relied on an overall physical assessment of the patient. Best treatment methods were uniformly agreed to be patient positioning, modification of food and fluids, use of ergonomic utensils, and compensatory maneuvers. Key barriers to dysphagia management were lack of specialized staff, under‐recognition of dysphagia as a health issue, and lack of standardized protocols. Conclusion: Awareness of PED is increasing and identification, prevention, and treatment is slowly improving, but systematic implementation of protocols for dysphagia screening and treatment could enhance dysphagia management in Danish ICUs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Patient and family engagement in the intensive care unit increases the quality of care and patient safety. Aim: The aim of our study was to describe current practice and experiences of contemporary patient and family engagement in the intensive care unit at the individual level, the organizational level, and in the research process according to critical care nurses. Design/Method: We conducted a national qualitative survey of intensive care units in Denmark from 5th May–5th June 2021. Questionnaires were piloted and sent to intensive care nurse specialists and research nurses at 41 intensive care units, allowing one respondent per unit. All respondents were provided with written information about the study by email, and by activating the survey link, they accepted participation. Results: Thirty‐two nurses responded to the invitation, 24 completed and 8 partially completed the survey, yielding a response rate of 78%. At the individual level, 27 respondents stated that they involved patients and 25 said they involved family in daily treatment and care. At the organizational level, 28 intensive care units had an overall strategy or guideline for patient and family engagement, and 4 units had established a PFE panel. And, finally, 11 units engaged patients and families in the research process. Conclusions: Our survey suggested that patient and family engagement was implemented to some degree at the individual level, organizational level, and in the research process, but only 4 units had established a PFE panel at the organizational level, which is key to engagement. Relevance to Clinical Practice: Patient engagement increases when patients are more awake, and family engagement increases when patients are unable to participate. Engagement increases when patient and family engagement panels are implemented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Proper analgosedation is a cornerstone in the treatment of critically ill patients in Pediatric Intensive Care Units (PICUs). Medications, such as fentanyl, morphine, and midazolam, are essential to safe and respectful care. The use of these medications over time may lead to side effects such as iatrogenic withdrawal syndrome (IWS) in the tapering phase. The aim of the study was to test an algorithm for tapering analgosedation to reduce the prevalence of IWS in two Norwegian PICUs at Oslo University Hospital. Methods: A cohort of mechanically ventilated patients from newborn to 18 years with continuous infusions of opioids and benzodiazepines for 5 days or more were included consecutively from May 2016 to December 2021. A pre‐ and posttest design, with an intervention phase using an algorithm for tapering analgosedation after the pretest, was used. The ICU staffs were trained in using the algorithm after the pretest. The primary outcome was a reduction in IWS. The Withdrawal Assessment Tool‐1 (WAT‐1) was used to identify IWS. A WAT‐1 score ≥3 indicates IWS. Results: We included 80 children, 40 in the baseline group, and 40 in the intervention group. Age and diagnosis did not differ between the groups. The prevalence of IWS was 95% versus 52.5% in the baseline group versus the intervention group, and the peak WAT‐1 median was 5.0 (IQR 4–6.8) versus 3.0 (IQR 2.0–6.0) (p =.012). Based on SUM WAT‐1 ≥ 3, which describes the burden over time better, we demonstrated a reduction of IWS, from a median of 15.5 (IQR 8.25–39) to a median of 3 (IQR 0–20) (p = <.001). Conclusion: We suggest using an algorithm for tapering analgosedation in PICUs since the prevalence of IWS was significantly lower in the intervention group in our study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Intensified healthcare specialization has increased the need for patient transfers. We aimed to describe in‐hospital and interhospital patient transfer decisions during the traumatic brain injury (TBI) trajectory from a nursing perspective. Design: Ethnographic fieldwork. Methods: We used participant observation and interviews at three sites representing the acute, subacute and stable stages of the TBI trajectory. Deductive analysis was applied supported by transition theory. Results: During the acute stage (neurointensive care), transfer decisions were facilitated by physicians assisted by critical care nurses, in the subacute stage (highly specialized rehabilitation), transfer decisions were collaborative among in‐house healthcare professionals, community staff and family, and during the stable stage (municipal rehabilitation), transfer decisions were made by non‐clinical staff. Most of the resources allocated during the trajectory went towards highly specialized rehabilitation, whereas more resources are needed during the end of the trajectory. No Patient or Public Contribution: Patients and the public were not involved in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) is frequently assessed in randomised clinical trials (RCTs) in the intensive care unit (ICU), but data are limited regarding the proportions of patients without responses or not surviving to HRQoL follow‐up and the handling of this. We aimed to describe the extent and pattern of missing HRQoL data in intensive care trials and describe how these data and deaths were handled statistically. Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis following a published protocol. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL and Cochrane Library for RCTs involving adult ICU patients reporting HRQoL as an outcome and excluded RCTs unobtainable in full text. We performed risk of bias assessment independently and in duplicate. Results: We included 196 outcomes from 88 RCTs published in the years 2002–2022; the numbers of patients alive and eligible to respond HRQoL were reported in 76% of trials. At follow‐up, median 27% (interquartile range 14%–39%) of patients had died, and median 20% (9%–38%) of survivors did not respond across outcomes. Analyses of 80% of outcomes were restricted to complete cases only. The handling of non‐survivors in analyses were reported for 46% of outcomes, with 26% of all outcomes reported as including non‐survivors (using the value zero or the worst possible score). Conclusion: For HRQoL outcomes in ICU trials, we found that mortality at time of follow‐up was high and non‐response among survivors frequent. The reporting and statistical handling of these issues were insufficient, which may have biased results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Long‐term cognitive impairment occurs in up to 60% of intensive care unit (ICU) survivors. Early use of functional and cognitive rehabilitation interventions, while patients are still in ICU, may reduce cognitive decline. We aim to describe the functional and cognitive interventions used during the ICU stay, the healthcare professionals providing interventions, and the potential impact on functional and cognitive rehabilitation. Method: In this integrative systematic review, we will include empirical qualitative, quantitative, mixed‐ and multiple‐methods studies assessing the use of functional and cognitive rehabilitation provided in ICU. We will identify studies in relevant electronic databases from 2012 to 2022, which will be screened for eligibility by at least two reviewers. Literature reported as narrative reviews and editorials will be excluded. We will assess the impact of interventions evaluating a cognitive and functional function, quality of life, and all‐cause mortality at 6–12 months after ICU discharge. The Revised Cochrane risk‐of‐bias Tool will be used for assessing risk of bias in clinical trials. For observational studies, we will use the National Institutes of Health Quality Assessment tool for Observational Cohort and Cross‐Sectional Studies. Furthermore, we will use the critical appraisal skills programme for qualitative studies and the mixed methods appraisal tool for mixed methods studies. We will construct four matrices, including results describing which ICU patients and healthcare professionals were engaged in rehabilitation, which interventions were included in early rehabilitation in ICU, the potential impact on patient outcomes of rehabilitation interventions provided in ICU and a narrative synthesis of themes. A summary of the main results will be reported using modified GRADE methodology. Impact: This integrative review will inform the feasibility randomised clinical trial testing the development of a complex intervention targeting functional and cognitive rehabilitation for patients in ICU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and objectives: The aims of the present study were investigating the feasibility of: (1) using the Danish version of Sophia Observation withdrawal Symptoms‐Paediatric Delirium (SOS‐PD) screening tool in clinical practice and (2) comparing SOS‐PD performance to a child psychiatrist's assessment using the diagnostic criteria as a reference standard. Background: Critically ill children risk developing delirium potentially causing discomfort and suffering. Intensive care delirium has a fluctuating course complicating detection. Systematic screening during and after intensive care is central to manage paediatric delirium. Design and methods: We used a descriptive and comparative design. First aim: Bedside nurses were asked to evaluate their experience of using the SOS‐PD. Second aim: We compared the SOS‐PD performance with the child psychiatrist assessment in 50 children aged 4 weeks to 18 years. Results: Nurses found the Danish version of the SOS‐PD applicable and easy to use. Of the 50 children included, 13 were diagnosed with delirium by the child psychiatrist. Consistency was found between the SOS‐PD score and the child psychiatrist's assessment (88%). We found three false‐negative and three false‐positive SOS‐PD cases. The false‐negative cases could be explained by the differences in time periods for the assessments. SOS‐PD assessments covered the past 4 h, whereas the psychiatric assessments covered the past 24 h. We assume the false‐positive cases represent an acceptable inconsistency between the two assessment methods. Conclusions: The Danish version of the SOS‐PD appeared suitable for identifying paediatric delirium. Our results emphasised the importance of assessment at least once during each nursing shift to ensure delirium detection around the clock due to the fluctuating course of delirium. Relevance to clinical practice: Implementing the Danish SOS‐PD may increase awareness of this critical disorder by improving systematic identification of paediatric delirium in clinical practice paving the way for improved delirium prevention and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Non‐pharmacologic interventions might be effective to reduce the incidence of delirium in pediatric intensive care units (PICU). Aim: To explore expert opinions and generate informed consensus decisions regarding the content of a non‐pharmacologic delirium bundle to manage delirium in PICU patients. Study design: A two‐round online Delphi study was conducted from February to April 2021. PICU experts (nurses, physicians, researchers, physical therapists, play specialists, and occupational therapists) located in Europe, North America, South America, Asia, and Australia participated. Results: We developed a questionnaire based on the outcomes of a comprehensive literature search in the domains: 1) cognition support; 2) sleep support; and 3) physical activity support. Under these domains, we listed 11 strategies to promote support with 61 interventions. Participants rated the feasibility of each intervention on a 9‐point Likert scale (ranging from 1 strongly disagree to 9 strongly agree). A disagreement index and panel median were calculated to determine the level of agreement among experts. In the second round, participants reassessed the revised statements and ranked the interventions in each domain in order of importance for age groups: 0–2, 3–5, and 6–18 years of age. During the first Delphi round, 53 of 74 (72%) questionnaires were completed, and in the second round 45 of 74 (61%) were completed. Five of the highest ranked interventions across the age groups were: 1) developing a daily routine, 2) adjusting light exposure according to the time of day, 3) scheduling time for sleep, 4) providing eyeglasses and hearing aids if appropriate, 5) encouraging parental presence. Conclusions: Based on expert consensus, we developed an age‐specific non‐pharmacologic delirium bundle of interventions to manage delirium in PICU patients. Relevance to Clinical Practice: An age‐specific Non‐Pharmacological Delirium bundle is now ready to be tested in the PICU and will hopefully reduce pediatric delirium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Different outcomes are reported in randomised clinical trials (RCTs) in intensive care unit (ICU) patients, and no core outcome set (COS) is available for ICU patients in general. Accordingly, we aim to develop a COS for ICU patients in general. Methods: The COS will be developed in accordance with the Core Outcome Measures in Effectiveness Trials (COMET) Handbook, using a modified Delphi consensus process and semi‐structured interviews involving adults who have survived acute admission to an ICU, family members, clinicians, researchers and other stakeholders. The modified Delphi process will include two steps. Step 1: conduction of a modified Delphi survey, developed and informed by combining the outputs of a literature search of outcomes in previous COSs and semi‐structured interviews with key stakeholders. We plan at least two survey rounds to obtain consensus and refine the COS. Step 2: a consensus process regarding instruments or definitions to be recommended for the measurements of the outcomes selected in Step 1. A 'patient and public involvement panel' consisting of a smaller group of patients, family members, clinicians and researchers will be included in the development, analysis and interpretation of the COS. Discussion: The outlined multiple method studies will establish a COS for ICU patients in general, which may be used to increase the standardisation and comparability of results of RCTs conducted in patients in the ICU setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Rocking chair therapy has been explored in patients with dementia to promote the feeling of relaxation, but not in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients with delirium. Aim: The aim is to investigate the effect of a chair with or without rocking motion on the duration of delirium and intensity of agitation in critically ill patients admitted to the ICU. Design: This is an investigator‐initiated pragmatic, multicentre, parallel‐grouped, centrally randomised, stratified, data analyst‐blinded trial. Method: We will include patients for 1:1 web‐based randomisation, stratified by site in patients 18 y or older with a positive delirium score identified by a validated tool. We will exclude patients mainly due to mobilisation restrictions, body weight exceeding 130 kg, inability to provide consent, and presence of multiresistant bacteria or viral droplet infections. The intervention group will receive a minimum of 20 min of rocking therapy daily. The control group will be transferred to the same type of chair but without rocking therapy daily. A power calculation with a risk reduction of 20%, a power of 80% with an alpha cut‐off on 5% and further 20% inclusion gives 76 patients in intervention and control group reaching a total of n = 152 inclusion in the trial. Conclusion: The RockingICU trial will provide important new knowledge and raise research questions regarding nonpharmacological interventions to alleviate delirium in ICU patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Analgesics and sedatives are key elements to reduce physiological and psychological stress associated with treatment in paediatric intensive care. Prolonged drug use may induce tolerance and development of iatrogenic withdrawal syndrome (IWS) during the tapering phase. Our primary aim was to describe the prevalence of IWS among critically ill ventilated patients in two Norwegian paediatric intensive care units (PICUs), and secondary to investigate what motivated bedside nurses to administer additional drug doses. Methods: Mechanically ventilated patients (n = 40) from newborn to eighteen years of age, with continuous infusions of opioids and benzodiazepines for 5 days or more, were included consecutively from May 2016 to June 2018. By using Withdrawal Assessment Tool‐1 (WAT‐1) twice daily we recorded the prevalence of IWS. Additionally, we recorded signs and symptoms that led bedside nurses to administration extra bolus medication. Results: Peak WAT‐1 score indicated an IWS prevalence of 95% in this selected group. The first days of the tapering phase were most critical for IWS. The most frequent symptoms triggering administration of additional bolus doses were agitation/restlessness, and thiopental and propofol were the bolus drugs used most frequently. Conclusions: IWS affected 95% of the children having received infusions of opioids and benzodiazepines for 5 days or more in PICUs without a tapering protocol for these drugs. This calls for implementation and testing of such weaning protocols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To describe the incidence of and risk factors for impaired cognitive function in intensive care unit (ICU) survivors. We hypothesized that age, severity of illness, and days in coma, delirium, mechanical ventilation in the ICU would be associated with impaired cognitive function. Methods: We included all adults, alive 6 months after acute admission to one of the 24 Danish ICUs participating in the AID‐ICU cohort study. Trained professionals assessed cognitive function in patients' homes or in outpatient clinics using the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) 6 months after ICU admission. Potential risk factors for cognitive impairment were analyzed with linear regression models. Results: In total, 237 ICU patients were alive 6 months after ICU admission and did not meet the exclusion criteria. A total of 106 patients completed the cognitive assessment. The median RBANS global cognitive score was 76 (interquartile range, 62‐91), and 52% had a global cognitive score 1.5 SD below the normative mean and 36% displayed a global cognitive score 2 SD below the normative mean, similar to that of Alzheimer's disease. Higher age was associated with poorer RBANS global cognitive score (estimate −0.35 [95% confidence interval −0.63 to −0.07] per year). Conclusions: In this multicenter study of adult ICU survivors, cognitive impairment was frequent and severe in those assessed at 6 months. Higher age was a risk factor for cognitive impairment, but events related to the ICU stay were not associated with poorer cognitive performance at 6 months. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Intensive care unit (ICU)-acquired delirium is frequent and associated with poor short- and long-term outcomes for patients in ICUs. It therefore constitutes a major healthcare problem. Despite limited evidence, haloperidol is the most frequently used pharmacological intervention against ICU-acquired delirium. Agents intervening against Delirium in the ICU (AID-ICU) is an international, multicentre, randomised, blinded, placebo-controlled trial investigates benefits and harms of treatment with haloperidol in patients with ICU-acquired delirium. The current pre-planned one-year follow-up study of the AID-ICU trial population aims to explore the effects of haloperidol on one-year mortality and health related quality of life (HRQoL).Methods: The AID-ICU trial will include 1000 participants. One-year mortality will be obtained from the trial sites; we will validate the vital status of Danish participants using the Danish National Health Data Registers. Mortality will be analysed by Cox-regression and visualized by Kaplan-Meier curves tested for significance using the log-rank test. We will obtain HRQoL data using the EQ-5D instrument. HRQoL analysis will be performed using a general linear model adjusted for stratification variables. Deceased participants will be designated the worst possible value.Results: We expect to publish results of this study in 2022.Conclusion: We expect that this one-year follow-up study of participants with ICU-acquired delirium allocated to haloperidol vs. placebo will provide important information on the long-term consequences of delirium including the effects of haloperidol. We expect that our results will improve the care of this vulnerable patient group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cognitive impairment and reduced health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) are well‐established sequelae of critical illness. Studies on survivors of critical illness have found delirium to be a predictor of these conditions, but evidence regarding survivors of acute brain injury is sparse. We aimed to explore if delirium duration was associated with 1‐year cognitive impairment and reduced HRQoL in patients with acute brain injury. Method: Intensive care unit (ICU) delirium was assessed using the Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist. Cognitive status was assessed using the Repeatable Battery for Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) and HRQoL using the European Quality of Life 5‐dimension questionnaire (EQ‐5D). We used a multiple linear regression for testing the association of delirium duration with cognitive impairment and quality of life, respectively. Results: Forty‐seven survivors of acute brain injury participated in follow‐up and 35 completed RBANS. Delirium was present in 39 of 47 (83%) with a median duration of 4 days. Delirium duration did not predict cognitive impairment (95% CI −4.1 to 0.5) or lower HRQoL (95% CI −1.4 to 2.7). Moderate‐to‐severe cognitive impairment was present in 17 of 35 (49%) participants, and they had a mean EQ‐5D health visual analogue scale of 70.9 vs 81.6 for the Danish age‐matched norm. Conclusions: Our sample did not demonstrate an association between delirium and 1‐year cognitive impairment or reduced HRQoL. Still, a large proportion of the participants were cognitively impaired, and their quality of life was lower compared to norm. Larger studies are necessary to explore these associations further. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In patients with septic shock, mortality is high, and survivors experience long-term physical, mental and social impairments. The ongoing Conservative vs Liberal Approach to fluid therapy of Septic Shock in Intensive Care (CLASSIC) trial assesses the benefits and harms of a restrictive vs standard-care intravenous (IV) fluid therapy. The hypothesis is that IV fluid restriction improves patient-important long-term outcomes.Aim: To assess the predefined patient-important long-term outcomes in patients randomised into the CLASSIC trial.Methods: In this pre-planned follow-up study of the CLASSIC trial, we will assess all-cause mortality, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and cognitive function 1 year after randomisation in the two intervention groups. The 1-year mortality will be collected from electronic patient records or central national registries in most participating countries. We will contact survivors and assess EuroQol 5-Dimension, -5-Level (EQ-5D-5L) and EuroQol-Visual Analogue Scale and Montreal Cognitive Assessment 5-minute protocol score. We will analyse mortality by logistic regression and use general linear models to assess HRQoL and cognitive function.Discussion: With this pre-planned follow-up study of the CLASSIC trial, we will provide patient-important data on long-term survival, HRQoL and cognitive function of restrictive vs standard-care IV fluid therapy in patients with septic shock. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Diaries written for patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) are offered in many European countries. In Austria, ICU diaries have been relatively unknown, but since 2012, they have started to emerge. Aim: The aim of this study was to explore the extent and application of ICU diaries in Austria in 2015. Method: The study had a prospective multiple methods design of survey and interviews. All ICUs in Austria were surveyed in 2015 to identify which ICUs used diaries. ICUs using diaries were selected for semi‐structured key‐informant telephone interviews on the application of ICU diaries. Interviews were analysed by content analysis. Results: Of the 178 ICUs contacted, 13 had implemented ICU diaries. In all ICUs, diaries were sporadically introduced by a few dedicated nurses. Experiences of participating nurses can be summarized in two main themes: (a) the process of innovation and (b) the process of practice. Sub‐themes were: (i) inspiration, creativity and innovation and (ii) purpose, indications, responsibility, authorship, experience, negative reception, and post‐ICU practice. Individual nurses at each ICU found ways to organize and format ICU diaries while dealing with ambivalence and legal implications. Conclusion: The implementation of a new nursing intervention is an ongoing process. Being innovative and responsible can be challenging, especially in hierarchical team structures. We recommend that nurses work towards national standards for the diary concept in order to enable future research into the process and outcome of ICU diaries. Relevance to Clinical Practice: The implementation of ICU diaries in routine care requires an ongoing adaptive, reflective process. Nurses may experience innovation, leading to the development of their own, feasible adaptions and structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite technological innovations and continuous improvement in evidence‐based treatments, mortality in the intensive care unit (ICU) remains high. Consequently, a large group of family members may be in need of, and could benefit from, bereavement follow‐up support. Aims and Objectives: To explore the elements, organization, and evaluation of ICU bereavement services in European countries. Specific objectives were to investigate: (a) the model of bereavement follow‐up services (elements of support), (b) the workforce model (organization of staff), and (c) the evaluation model (evaluation strategies). Design: This was a cross‐sectional survey of conference delegates. Methods: A paper‐and‐pen questionnaire, including a cover letter assuring the respondents of anonymity and confidentiality, was distributed to 250 delegates during the opening ceremony of the 2017 European federation of Critical Care Nurses associations Congress in Belfast. The questionnaire was developed from a previously validated tool describing bereavement care practices in ICUs, including questions about the content and organization of bereavement follow‐up services. Frequencies were calculated using yes/no questions, and content analysis was applied in additional free‐text comments. Results: We received 85 responses from publicly employed nurses, mainly in mixed adult ICUs. Respondents were 48 (56.5%) bedside nurses, and the remaining respondents represented clinical nurse specialists, researchers, managers, or academic nurses. Bereavement follow up had existed for about 1 to 15 years. Important follow‐up elements were: viewing the deceased in the unit, 77 (90.6%); providing follow‐up information, 67 (79.8%); sending a letter of sympathy, 17 (20%); and calling the family to arrange a meeting, 27 (31%). Conclusions: Bereavement follow up is common but variable in European ICUs. We recommend the development, implementation, and evaluation of evidence‐based, but culture‐specific, bereavement follow‐up guidelines for European ICUs. Relevance to Clinical Practice: More critical care nurses are realizing the need for bereavement follow‐up guidelines. This paper provides an overview of common elements that might be considered. WHAT IS KNOWN ABOUT THIS TOPICMany families experience the death of a loved one in intensive care unit (ICU).Bereavement services are offered at some ICUs.WHAT THIS PAPER ADDSBereavement services are not systematically offered in European ICUs.Culture‐specific guidelines are needed for bereavement follow up in ICUs.Common elements of bereavement services have been identified, for example, viewing the deceased in the unit, providing follow‐up information, sending a letter of sympathy, and calling the family to arrange a meeting.Consequences of bereavement in ICU have been discussed, for example, prolonged or complicated grief and lack of closure in the bereaved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Health-related quality of life is often used as a patient-important outcome in randomized clinical trials in the intensive care unit setting. Missing data are a challenge in randomized clinical trials as they hamper the interpretation of the results, but the extent and handling of missing health-related quality of life data are unknown. Therefore, we aim to describe and evaluate the extent, pattern, and handling of missing health-related quality of life data in randomized clinical trials conducted in the intensive care unit setting.Methods: We will conduct a systematic review of randomized clinical trials in intensive care patients that report health-related quality of life. We will systematically search the Cochrane Library, PubMed, excerpta medica database ovid, and cumulative index to nursing and allied health literature for relevant literature. We will follow the recommendations by the Cochrane Collaboration and the preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis statement. We will extract information about missing data, including how the analyses and reporting of missing data were performed. We will assess the risk of systematic errors (bias) and compare the number of nonresponders vs responders in (a) low vs high risk of bias trials and in (b) small (n ≤ 100) vs large randomized clinical trials (n > 100).Discussion: With this outlined systematic review, we will describe the handling of missing health-related quality of life data in randomized clinical trials in the intensive care unit setting and the impact on the interpretation of results.Systematic Review Registration: International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO): reg. no.: CRD42019118932. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Delirium is underinvestigated in the neuro-critically ill, although the harmful effect of delirium is well established in patients in medical and surgical intensive care units (ICU).To detect delirium, a valid tool is needed. We hypothesized that delirium screening would be feasible in patients with acute brain injury and we aimed to validate and compare the Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU and the Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist against clinical International Classification of Diseases-10 criteria as reference.Methods: Nurses assessed delirium using the Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU and Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist in adult patients with acute brain injury admitted to the Neurointensive care unit (Neuro-ICU), Copenhagen University Hospital, if their Richmond agitation-sedation scale score was -2 or above. As the reference, a team of psychiatrist assessed patients using the International Classification of Diseases-10 criteria.Results: We enrolled 74 patients, of whom 25 (34%) were deemed unable to assess by the psychiatrists, leaving 49 (66%) for final analysis. Sensitivity and specificity for the Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU was 59% (95% CI: 41-75) and 56% (95% CI: 32-78), respectively, and 85% (95% CI: 70-94) and 75% (95% CI: 51-92), respectively, for the Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist.Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist may be a valid tool and the Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU is less suitable for delirium detection for patients in the Neuro-ICU. In the neuro-critically ill, delirium screening is challenged by limited feasibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Delirium in the intensive care unit (ICU) has received more attention in the past decade. Early detection, prevention and treatment of delirium are important, and the most commonly used tool for delirium assessment is the Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU (CAM-ICU). Aim: The aim of this study was to identify nurses' and physicians' perceived professional barriers to using the CAM-ICU in Danish ICUs. Methods: This study uses a qualitative explorative multicentre design using focus groups and a semi-structured interview guide. Five focus groups with nurses (n=20) and four with physicians (n=14) were conducted. Strategic sampling was used to include participants with varying CAM-ICU experience at units, with variable implementation of the tool. Results: Using a hermeneutical approach, three main themes and nine sub-themes emerged. The main themes were (1) Professional role issues: CAM-ICU screening affected nursing care, clinical judgment and professional integrity; (2) Instrument reliability: nurses and physicians expressed concerns about CAM-ICU assessment in non-sedated patients, patients with multi-organ failure or patients influenced by residual sedatives/opioids; and (3) Clinical consequence: after CAM-ICU assessment, physicians lacked evidence-based treatment options, and nurses lacked physician acknowledgment and guidelines for disclosing CAM-ICU results to patients. Conclusion: In this study, ICU nurses and physicians raised a number of concerns regarding the use of the CAM-ICU for delirium detection. It might be necessary to revalidate the instrument as ICU care has changed in recent years, with lighter sedation and early mobilization of patients. We recommend that nurses and physicians receive more training in the use of the CAM-ICU to address some of the issues identified in our study. Relevance to clinical practice: There is a need for ongoing training and clearer guidelines on how to proceed with the delirium screening of non-sedated patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Family-centred care (FCC) is acknowledged as fundamental to supporting parents of premature infants, and communication is central to this practice. Accordingly, nurses need good communication skills. GFCC is an intervention developed to improve nurse-parent communication in the neonatal intensive care unit. This intervention helps nurses to realize person-centred communication as an approach to optimize contemporary practice. Aims and objectives: Aims of this article were (a) to explore how parents of premature infants experience guided family-centred care (GFCC), and (b) to compare how parents receiving GFCC versus standard care (SC) describe nurse-parent communication in the neonatal intensive care unit. Design: Our qualitative study had a descriptive and comparative design using semi-structured interviews to explore the parent's experience of GFCC. Methods: We conducted 10 dyad interviews with parents (n=20) and two individual interviews with mothers of premature infants (n=2). Parents in the intervention group versus SC group were 13 versus 9. Thematic analysis was applied. Findings: GFCC was generally experienced as supportive. Three interrelated themes were identified that illustrated how the intervention helped parents cope as persons, parents and couples: (a) discovering and expressing emotions, (b) reaching a deeper level of communication, and (c) obtaining mutual understanding. In contrast, SC communication was more superficial and less structured. Factors such as inaccessibility of nurses, inability to ask for assistance and parent popularity impaired successful communication. Conclusion and implications for practice: Our study suggested that compared to SC, GFCC provided structured delivery of supportive communication between nurses and parents of premature infants. The intervention promoted the discovery of the parents' individual preferences and concerns, which enabled more focused communication, and set the stage for better nurse-parent and parent-parent understanding. We recommend GFCC as a method to improve communication in the neonatal intensive care unit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Background Diaries written for patients in the Intensive Care Unit ( ICU) have been used in many European countries since the early 1990s to support patients and their relatives in their understanding of the ICU experience. ICU diaries have been introduced in Germany since 2008 via the internet, newsletters, newspapers, lectures and publications in German nursing journals. Aim The aim of the study was to update our knowledge of the extent and application of ICU diaries in Germany in 2014. Design The study had a prospective mixed methods multicenter design. Method All 152 ICUs in the two German federal states of Baden-Württemberg and Schleswig-Holstein were surveyed to identify units that had implemented ICU diaries. An additional 69 ICUs from other parts of Germany were included in the survey. We excluded diaries used in neonatal ICUs. Out of 43 units using diaries 14 were selected for semi-structured key-informant telephone-interviews on the application of ICU diaries. Results According to the survey, 8 out of 152 ICUs in the two federal states of Baden-Württemberg and Schleswig-Holstein had implemented ICU diaries and another six were planning implementation. Another 35 ICUs in other areas of Germany had implemented diaries and three units were planning to do so. Interviews were conducted with nurses at 14 selected ICUs. Informants reported successful adaption of the diary concept to their culture, but variability in application. No units were identified where all nursing staff participated in keeping ICU diaries. Conclusion Six years after the introduction of ICU diaries, ICU nurses in Germany are becoming familiar with the concept. Nursing shortage and bureaucratic challenges have impeded the process of implementation, but the adaption of ICU diaries to German conditions appears to be successful and is still in progress. Relevance to Clinical Practice Implementation of ICU diaries is feasible after adjusting for cultural and legal issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Aim To explore variability in perceptions of nurse managers and physician directors regarding roles, responsibilities and clinical-decision making related to mechanical ventilator weaning in Norwegian intensive care units ( ICUs). Background Effective teamwork is crucial for providing optimal patient care in ICU. More knowledge on nurses' and physicians' perceptions of responsibility in clinical decision-making for mechanical ventilation is needed. Methods Self-administered survey of mechanical ventilation and weaning responsibilities was sent to nurse managers and physician directors of Norwegian adult ICUs. Nurses' decisional influence and autonomy were estimated on a numeric rating scale ( NRS) from 0 to 10 (least to most). Results Response rate was 38/60 (63%) nurses and 38/52 (73%) physicians. On the NRS nurse managers perceived the autonomy and influence of nurses' ventilator decisions higher than physician directors: median of 7 ( IQR 5-8) (nurses) versus 5 (3-6) (physicians), ( p < 0·01), and 8 (7-9) (nurses) versus 7 (5-8) (physicians), ( p < 0·01) respectively. Respondents agreed that nurses collaborated in assessment of patient response to ventilator changes and titrating ventilator settings: 92% of nurses and 87% of physicians, ( p = 0·46), and recognizing weaning failure 84% of nurses and 84% of physicians, ( p = 0·96). Physician directors perceived significantly less collaborative decision-making on weaning method ( p = 0·01), weaning readiness ( p = 0·04) and readiness to extubate ( p < 0·01) than nurse managers. Both groups acknowledged the importance of 'knowing the patient' for weaning success, and agreed that the assessment of work of breathing, well-being, and clinical deterioration were important for determining weaning tolerance. Conclusions Nurse managers perceived nurses to have greater autonomy, influence and collaborative interaction regarding decisions on mechanical ventilation than physician directors. Greater awareness and acknowledgment of nurses' role may promote interprofessional collaboration and improve patient care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Background and aims A trend towards lighter sedation has been evident in many intensive care units ( ICUs). The aims of the survey were to describe sedation practice in European ICUs and to compare sedation practice in Nordic and non-Nordic countries. Design and methods A cross-sectional survey of ICU nurses attending the fourth European federation of Critical Care Nursing associations ( EfCCNa) in Denmark, 2011. Data included use of protocols; sedation, pain and delirium assessment tools; collaborative decision-making; sedation and analgesic medications; and educational preparation related to sedation. Results Response rate was 42% ( n = 291) from 22 countries where 53% ( n = 148) used sedation protocols. Nordic nurses reported greater use of sedation (91% versus 67%, p < 0·01) and pain (91% versus 69%, p < 0·01) assessment tools than non-Nordic nurses. Decision-making on sedation was more inter-professionally collaborative in Nordic ICUs (83% versus 61%, p < 0·01), units were smaller (10 versus 15 beds, p < 0·01) and nurse-patient ratio was higher (1:1, 75% versus 26%, p < 0·01). Nordic nurses reported greater consistency in maintaining circadian rhythm (66% versus 49%, p < 0·01), less use of physical restraints (14% versus 36%, p < 0·01), less use of neuromuscular blocking agents (3% versus 16%, p < 0·01), and received more sedation education (92% versus 76%, p < 0·01). Delirium assessment was not performed systematically in most settings. Conclusions Organizational and contextual factors, such as ICU size, staffing ratio and inter-professional collaboration, are contributing factors to sedation management in European ICUs. The Nordic context might be more germane to the goal of lighter sedation and better pain management. Relevance to clinical practice Our study raises awareness of current sedation practice, paving the way towards optimized ICU sedation management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

EGEROD I, STORLI SL and ÅKERMAN E. Nursing Inquiry 2011; 18: 235-246 Intensive care patient diaries in Scandinavia: a comparative study of emergence and evolution Critical illness and intensive care therapy are often followed by psychological problems such as nightmares, hallucinations, delusions, anxiety, depression, and symptoms of posttraumatic stress. Intensive care patient diaries have been kept by nurses and the patients' family since the early 1990s in the Scandinavian countries to help critically ill patients come to terms with their illness after hospital discharge. The aim of the study was to describe and compare the emergence and evolution of intensive care patient diaries in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. The study had a comparative international design using secondary analysis of qualitative data generated by key-informant telephone interviews with intensive care nurses ( n = 114). The study showed that diaries were introduced concurrently in the three Scandinavian countries as a grass-roots initiative by mutual cross-national inspiration. The concept has evolved from a pragmatic practice to an evidence-based domain of inquiry propelled by academically prepared nurses. Several schools of thought were identified in our study: diaries as (i) a therapeutic instrument, (ii) an act of caring, (iii) an expression of empathy, and (iv) a hybrid of the above. Diaries have the potential to fulfill the existential needs of patients who struggle to make sense of their experiences and construct their own illness narrative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Basic stimulation (BS) is a multimodal approach used in the intensive care unit (ICU) to help patients to perceive, move, communicate and learn. The concept was developed in Germany in the 1970s to help multi-handicapped children. It was adapted to nursing in the 1980s, and to critical care nursing in the 1990s. Little is known about the use of BS outside of Germany although it has been gaining momentum in German-speaking countries as well as Scandinavia. The aim of the present study is to describe the extent and application of BS at Danish ICUs in 2006. The study had a prospective, descriptive, qualitative, multicentre design. Data were generated from key-informant telephone interviews (n = 10). This study has shown that BS is dependent upon the personal interest of individual nurses. At most units the concept is rarely used, or used by only few practitioners, for only few patients, or only few of the elements of the technique are applied. The tenets of BS are similar to those of conventional nursing, and in some cases to health care in general. The concept shows promising potential for critical care nursing. It has, however, been introduced unsystematically at Danish ICUs and needs more management support, systematic implementation and clinical research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Falls clinics are a newer model for falls management among the elderly. Few studies have addressed the impact of the strategy on falls prevention in the healthcare system. The aim of the present study was to describe the social processes that affect the implementation of new strategies in falls management. A newly established falls clinic was chosen as an instrumental case to describe the systematic and comprehensive approach to falls prevention among the elderly. The investigation had a qualitative case study research design with triangulation of sources and methods, including interviews, participant observation and analysis of documents. The study was conducted from January 2006 to June 2007 at a newly established falls clinic at a Danish hospital. Data were analysed qualitatively according to four main themes: The concept of falls, success/failure, competition and expertise. The study showed that the falls clinic was embedded in a context where interests varied at different levels of the organizational hierarchy. In contrast to the political agenda for falls prevention, patients and professionals did not associate falls with chronological age. The biomedical structure of the falls clinic and the hegemonic mode of handling falls prevention may have facilitated falls prevention services and patient trajectories across sectors, but if falls are associated with chronic disease secondary to an unhealthy lifestyle, the individual patient becomes responsible for the falls problem. This may subsequently prevent the patients from seeking timely help from the healthcare system, or patients may drop out of the existing programmes. Future research needs to look at sustainability and dropping out in relation to falls prevention programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim and objectives. The aim of this paper is to present a study describing nurses’ adherence to the VIPS model by evaluating the quality of nursing assessment, and the quantity of completed nursing care plans. Background. Numerous efforts have been made over the years to improve nursing documentation in Denmark. Hospitals have traditionally based nurses’ charting on a rudimentary version of the nursing process and on Virginia Henderson's theory of human needs. In 2002–2004 the Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, introduced the Swedish VIPS model for nursing documentation. VIPS is an acronym for well being, integrity, prevention and safety, all of which are seen as major goals for nursing care. The model organizes nursing data according to a system of keywords, which facilitates storage and retrieval of data. Design and methods. The design in this part of the study was retrospective, wherein 50 journals from each of the departments of cardiology, neurology, oncology and urology were audited annually for three years using the Cat-ch-Ing instrument ( n = 600). All nursing journals were randomly selected by including the first 50 journals at each site given a specific date. Results. The nursing documentation significantly improved during the course of the study. After the second year the participants used the keywords appropriately and correctly according to the VIPS model. Application of primary nursing increased during the study. Initial, ongoing and discharge patient status improved. The nurses’ familiarity with nursing diagnoses, goals and interventions increased. Conclusions. The structured implementation programme significantly improved nursing documentation, and the simultaneous training of the entire nursing staff shows promise. The VIPS model has prepared the nurses for more complex computerized taxonomies and classification systems in the future by improving the nurses’ analytical skills. Relevance to clinical practice. New strategies for improving nursing documentation have been demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scand J Caring Sci; 2004; 18; 325–332The effect of a VIPS implementation programme on nurses’ knowledge and attitudes towards documentationThe Copenhagen University Hospital decided to adhere to the standards of the Joint Commission of International Accreditation in 2000. These standards require systematic assessment of patient care needs and include the use of written nursing care plans. In order to meet these standards, the hospital management decided to introduce the Swedish VIPS model, which is a model designed to structure nursing documentation (VIPS is an acronym for well-being, integrity, prevention and safety). The present study explores the nurses’ knowledge and attitudes towards documentation and addresses the research questions: (a) what are the nurses’ attitudes towards documentation of nursing care? and (b) do nurses have sufficient knowledge of the documentation system to systematically document their patient assessment and clinical decisions? The research design was prospective, comparative, and quasi-experimental (nonrandomized), including a study group (n = 72) and a control group (n = 57). A questionnaire was used to compare nurses’ self-evaluated attitudes towards documentation, and a multiple-choice test was given in order to assess nurses’ knowledge of the documentation system. The study group participated in a special implementation programme (response rate 82%), while the control group attended the regular 3-day documentation course at the hospital (response rate 79%). The study showed that the two groups responded similarly, but the nurses in the study group were significantly stronger in their conviction that they had the knowledge to make care plans and that they routinely made them. The study group demonstrated slightly less motivation than the control group, while the two groups shared a positive attitude towards nursing documentation. The study group did consistently better on the knowledge tests. The findings show that the implementation programme had a positive impact on nursing documentation, and that the VIPS model increased the nurses’ understanding of the nursing process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT The third international conference on intensive care unit ( ICU) diaries and intensive aftercare took place in Norrköping, Sweden, on 28 November 2013. The conference was organized by Carl Bäckman and colleagues, Vrinnevi Hospital and NOFI, and represented by Sissell Storli. More than 100 clinicians from across Europe and the USA attended the conference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The guest editorial focuses on intensive care unit (ICU) delirium and states delirium screening is important in terms of outcomes for at-risk ICU patients. The discussion topics include the ability of critical care nurses to recognize unpleasant symptoms in sedated ICU patients, the causes of ICU delirium, and the issue of lighter sedation which can reduce complications and promote well-being in patients.

The article focuses on the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses Synergy Model for Patient Care, an evidence-based practice in critical care nursing in which the characteristics of patients and families influence the competencies of nurses. This model states that nursing care is an integration of knowledge, skills, experience and attitudes necessary to meet the needs of patients and families.

Background: Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is frequently assessed in randomised clinical trials (RCTs) in the intensive care unit (ICU), but data are limited regarding the proportions of patients without responses or not surviving to HRQoL follow-up and the handling of this. We aimed to describe the extent and pattern of missing HRQoL data in intensive care trials and describe how these data and deaths were handled statistically., Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis following a published protocol. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL and Cochrane Library for RCTs involving adult ICU patients reporting HRQoL as an outcome and excluded RCTs unobtainable in full text. We performed risk of bias assessment independently and in duplicate., Results: We included 196 outcomes from 88 RCTs published in the years 2002-2022; the numbers of patients alive and eligible to respond HRQoL were reported in 76% of trials. At follow-up, median 27% (interquartile range 14%-39%) of patients had died, and median 20% (9%-38%) of survivors did not respond across outcomes. Analyses of 80% of outcomes were restricted to complete cases only. The handling of non-survivors in analyses were reported for 46% of outcomes, with 26% of all outcomes reported as including non-survivors (using the value zero or the worst possible score)., Conclusion: For HRQoL outcomes in ICU trials, we found that mortality at time of follow-up was high and non-response among survivors frequent. The reporting and statistical handling of these issues were insufficient, which may have biased results., (© 2023 The Authors. Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica Foundation.)

Introduction: Different outcomes are reported in randomised clinical trials (RCTs) in intensive care unit (ICU) patients, and no core outcome set (COS) is available for ICU patients in general. Accordingly, we aim to develop a COS for ICU patients in general., Methods: The COS will be developed in accordance with the Core Outcome Measures in Effectiveness Trials (COMET) Handbook, using a modified Delphi consensus process and semi-structured interviews involving adults who have survived acute admission to an ICU, family members, clinicians, researchers and other stakeholders. The modified Delphi process will include two steps. Step 1: conduction of a modified Delphi survey, developed and informed by combining the outputs of a literature search of outcomes in previous COSs and semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders. We plan at least two survey rounds to obtain consensus and refine the COS. Step 2: a consensus process regarding instruments or definitions to be recommended for the measurements of the outcomes selected in Step 1. A 'patient and public involvement panel' consisting of a smaller group of patients, family members, clinicians and researchers will be included in the development, analysis and interpretation of the COS., Discussion: The outlined multiple method studies will establish a COS for ICU patients in general, which may be used to increase the standardisation and comparability of results of RCTs conducted in patients in the ICU setting., (© 2021 The Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica Foundation. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background: In patients with septic shock, mortality is high, and survivors experience long-term physical, mental and social impairments. The ongoing Conservative vs Liberal Approach to fluid therapy of Septic Shock in Intensive Care (CLASSIC) trial assesses the benefits and harms of a restrictive vs standard-care intravenous (IV) fluid therapy. The hypothesis is that IV fluid restriction improves patient-important long-term outcomes., Aim: To assess the predefined patient-important long-term outcomes in patients randomised into the CLASSIC trial., Methods: In this pre-planned follow-up study of the CLASSIC trial, we will assess all-cause mortality, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and cognitive function 1 year after randomisation in the two intervention groups. The 1-year mortality will be collected from electronic patient records or central national registries in most participating countries. We will contact survivors and assess EuroQol 5-Dimension, -5-Level (EQ-5D-5L) and EuroQol-Visual Analogue Scale and Montreal Cognitive Assessment 5-minute protocol score. We will analyse mortality by logistic regression and use general linear models to assess HRQoL and cognitive function., Discussion: With this pre-planned follow-up study of the CLASSIC trial, we will provide patient-important data on long-term survival, HRQoL and cognitive function of restrictive vs standard-care IV fluid therapy in patients with septic shock., (© 2019 The Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica Foundation. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background: Health-related quality of life is often used as a patient-important outcome in randomized clinical trials in the intensive care unit setting. Missing data are a challenge in randomized clinical trials as they hamper the interpretation of the results, but the extent and handling of missing health-related quality of life data are unknown. Therefore, we aim to describe and evaluate the extent, pattern, and handling of missing health-related quality of life data in randomized clinical trials conducted in the intensive care unit setting., Methods: We will conduct a systematic review of randomized clinical trials in intensive care patients that report health-related quality of life. We will systematically search the Cochrane Library, PubMed, excerpta medica database ovid, and cumulative index to nursing and allied health literature for relevant literature. We will follow the recommendations by the Cochrane Collaboration and the preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis statement. We will extract information about missing data, including how the analyses and reporting of missing data were performed. We will assess the risk of systematic errors (bias) and compare the number of nonresponders vs responders in (a) low vs high risk of bias trials and in (b) small (n ≤ 100) vs large randomized clinical trials (n > 100)., Discussion: With this outlined systematic review, we will describe the handling of missing health-related quality of life data in randomized clinical trials in the intensive care unit setting and the impact on the interpretation of results., Systematic Review Registration: International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO): reg. no.: CRD42019118932., (© 2019 The Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica Foundation. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)