Ny artikel - Caring for patients displaying agitated behaviours in the intensive care unit - A mixed-methods systematic review

Background:Patient agitation is common in the intensive care unit (ICU), with consequences for bothpatients and health professionals if not managed effectively. Research indicates that current practicesmay not be optimal. A comprehensive review of the evidence exploring nurses' experiences of caring forthese patients is required to fully understand how nurses can be supported to take on this importantrole.

Objectives:The aim of this study was to identify and synthesise qualitative and quantitative evidence ofnurses' experiences of caring for patients displaying agitated behaviours in the adult ICU.

Methods: A mixed-methods systematic review was conducted. MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Web ofScience, Emcare, Scopus, ProQuest, and Cochrane Library were searched from database inception to July2020 for qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods studies. Peer-reviewed, primary research articlesand theses were considered for inclusion. A convergent integrated design, described by Joanna BriggsInstitute, was utilised transforming all data into qualitativefindings before categorising and synthesisingto  form  thefinal  integratedfindings.  The  review  protocol  was  registered  with  PROSPEROCRD42020191715.

Results: Eleven studies were included in the review. Integratedfindings include (i) the strain of caring forpatients displaying agitated behaviours; (ii) attitudes of nurses; (iii) uncertainty around assessment andmanagement of agitated behaviour; and (iv) lack of effective collaboration and communication withmedical colleagues.

Conclusions: This review describes the challenges and complexities nurses experience when caring forpatients displaying agitated behaviours in the ICU. Findings indicate that nurses lack guidelines togetherwith practical and emotional support to fulfil their role. Such initiatives are likely to improve both patientand nurse outcomes.

Artiklen er publiceret i Australian Critical Care 2021 og forfattet af: Anne Mette Adams, Diane Chamberlain, Mette Grønkjær, Charlotte Brun Thorup & Tiffany Conroy. 

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