The Impact of Nursing Delirium Preventive Interventions in the ICU: A Multicenter Cluster-randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

• Published in: American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine 2021-09, Vol.204 (6), p.682-691
• Main Authors: Rood, Paul J. T., Zegers, Marieke, Ramnarain, Dharmanand, Koopmans, Matty, Klarenbeek, Toine, Ewalds, Esther, van der Steen, Marijke S., Oldenbeuving, Annemarie W., Kuiper, Michael A., Teerenstra, Steven, Adang, Eddy, van Loon, Lex M., Wassenaar, Annelies, Vermeulen, Hester, Pickkers, Peter, van den Boogaard, Mark, Pretorius, Danie, van der Horst, Femke, Beishuizen, Albertus, Hoogendoorn, Marga
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Clinical trials; Delirium; Intensive care; Intervention; Nursing; Studies
• ISSN: 1073-449X; 1535-4970
• DOI: 10.1164/rccm.202101-0082OC

Rationale: Delirium is common in critically ill patients and is associated with deleterious outcomes. Nonpharmacological interventions are recommended in current delirium guidelines, but their effects have not been unequivocally established. Objectives: To determine the effects of a multicomponent nursing intervention program on delirium in the ICU. Methods: A stepped-wedge cluster-randomized controlled trial was conducted in ICUs of 10 centers. Adult critically ill surgical, medical, or trauma patients at high risk of developing delirium were included. A multicomponent nursing intervention program focusing on modifiable risk factors was implemented as standard of care. The primary outcome was the number of delirium-free and coma-free days alive in 28 days after ICU admission. Measurements and Main Results: A total of 1,749 patients were included. Time spent on interventions per 8-hour shift was median (interquartile range) 38 (14-116) minutes in the intervention period and median 32 (13-73) minutes in the control period (P = 0.44). Patients in the intervention period had a median of 23 (4-27) delirium-free and coma-free days alive compared with a median of 23 (5-27) days for patients in the control group (mean difference, -1.21 days; 95% confidence interval, -2.84 to 0.42 d; P = 0.15). In addition, the number of delirium days was similar: median 2 (1-4) days (ratio of medians, 0.90; 95% confidence interval, 0.75 to 1.09; P = 0.27). Conclusions: In this large randomized controlled trial in adult ICU patients, a limited increase in the use of nursing interventions was achieved, and no change in the number of delirium-free and coma-free days alive in 28 days could be determined. Clinical trial registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03002701).