Pub Date : 2025-12-08DOI: 10.1016/j.iccn.2025.104292
Kostoula Arvaniti, Stijn Blot, Elena Conoscenti
{"title":"The tracheal tube in the prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia: critical component or minor player?","authors":"Kostoula Arvaniti, Stijn Blot, Elena Conoscenti","doi":"10.1016/j.iccn.2025.104292","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.iccn.2025.104292","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":51322,"journal":{"name":"Intensive and Critical Care Nursing","volume":"93 ","pages":"Article 104292"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145716891","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-06DOI: 10.1016/j.iccn.2025.104289
Nidhi Ajay Thakur, Yogesh M. Deshpande
Background
Compassion fatigue, comprising of burnout (BO) and secondary traumatic stress (STS), is a critical occupational hazard in healthcare. It is a state of physical mental exhaustion and dysfunction resulting from prolonged exposure to work and compassion related stress. The Intensive Care Unit (ICU) professionals are vulnerable to compassion fatigue (CF) due to the high mortality rates, overstimulating environment and overcrowding in the unit.
Aim
To estimate the prevalence and factors of compassion satisfaction, burnout and secondary traumatic stress among medical professionals working in intensive care units.
Methods
A meta-analysis and systematic review were conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and Science Direct databases were searched from 2000 to 4th December 2024. Random-effects model was used to calculate pooled prevalence estimates. Subgroup analyses were conducted by geographical region and study period.
Results
Twenty-nine studies involving 4,925 ICU professionals across 18 countries were analysed. The pooled prevalence estimates were 70.36 % (95 % CI: 59.48–80.22) for STS, 74.38 % (95 % CI: 67.70–80.55) for BO, and 92.25 % (95 % CI: 86.30–96.72) for CS. Subgroup analysis revealed significant regional differences, with Asian professionals demonstrating higher CF and lower CS compared to the Americas. Determinants of CS and CF were grouped into demographic, organizational, and psychological domains.
Conclusions
ICU professionals face a high risk of BO and STS, emphasizing the urgent need for systemic strategies to mitigate compassion fatigue and enhance mental health.
{"title":"Prevalence and related factors of compassion fatigue and compassion satisfaction among intensive care healthcare professionals: A systematic review and meta-analysis","authors":"Nidhi Ajay Thakur, Yogesh M. Deshpande","doi":"10.1016/j.iccn.2025.104289","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.iccn.2025.104289","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Compassion fatigue, comprising of burnout (BO) and secondary traumatic stress (STS), is a critical occupational hazard in healthcare. It is a state of physical mental exhaustion and dysfunction resulting from prolonged exposure to work and compassion related stress. The Intensive Care Unit (ICU) professionals are vulnerable to compassion fatigue (CF) due to the high mortality rates, overstimulating environment and overcrowding in the unit.</div></div><div><h3>Aim</h3><div>To estimate the prevalence and factors of compassion satisfaction, burnout and secondary traumatic stress among medical professionals working in intensive care units.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A <em>meta</em>-analysis and systematic review were conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and Science Direct databases were searched from 2000 to 4th December 2024. Random-effects model was used to calculate pooled prevalence estimates. Subgroup analyses were conducted by geographical region and study period.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Twenty-nine studies involving 4,925 ICU professionals across 18 countries were analysed. The pooled prevalence estimates were 70.36 % (95 % CI: 59.48–80.22) for STS, 74.38 % (95 % CI: 67.70–80.55) for BO, and 92.25 % (95 % CI: 86.30–96.72) for CS. Subgroup analysis revealed significant regional differences, with Asian professionals demonstrating higher CF and lower CS compared to the Americas. Determinants of CS and CF were grouped into demographic, organizational, and psychological domains.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>ICU professionals face a high risk of BO and STS, emphasizing the urgent need for systemic strategies to mitigate compassion fatigue and enhance mental health.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51322,"journal":{"name":"Intensive and Critical Care Nursing","volume":"93 ","pages":"Article 104289"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145693806","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-05DOI: 10.1016/j.iccn.2025.104294
Sebastian Kilcommons , Sarah Andersen , James Mellett , Matthew Douma , Dawn Opgenorth , Sean M. Bagshaw , Oleksa Rewa , Kirsten Fiest , Vincent Lau , Sadie Deschenes
Objectives
ICUs have been shown to experience high staff turnover rates, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Shortages in nurse staffing have been linked to worse patient outcomes. The purpose of this study was to determine the factors most likely to promote nurse retention in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods
This was a qualitative interview study in which 19 registered nurses in a single ICU were asked which factors contribute to ICU nurse turnover and attrition, as well as improve staff retention. We recruited participants who had either left or considered leaving their ICU position since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. We used Braun and Clarke’s method of thematic analysis to generate themes from the interviews, which were video, or audio recorded. Using NVivo software, data were coded by assigning concepts to data segments. These codes were consolidated into categories and further combined to create themes. The study followed the standards outlined in the COREQ checklist.
Results
We generated four themes to capture the aspects that most influenced participants’ desire to remain in their ICU positions. Themes included Organizational Resources and Scheduling, Interpersonal Factors, Mental Health Support and Training and Career Advancement.
Conclusions
This study explored the key factors that impact nurses’ willingness to continue working in the ICU following the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants highlighted how administrative change, workplace relationships, access to mental health services, and availability of professional development opportunities may have positively influenced their decision to stay. The findings described may prove valuable avenues of future study as further investigation related to the themes described may help guide intervention aimed at improving ICU retention.
Implications for Clinical Practice
Together, these findings may serve to inform future ICU interventions aimed at improving nurse retention in the ICU.
{"title":"Exploring the factors affecting ICU nurse retention during and post-COVID-19: A qualitative descriptive interview study","authors":"Sebastian Kilcommons , Sarah Andersen , James Mellett , Matthew Douma , Dawn Opgenorth , Sean M. Bagshaw , Oleksa Rewa , Kirsten Fiest , Vincent Lau , Sadie Deschenes","doi":"10.1016/j.iccn.2025.104294","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.iccn.2025.104294","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>ICUs have been shown to experience high staff turnover rates, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Shortages in nurse staffing have been linked to worse patient outcomes. The purpose of this study was to determine the factors most likely to promote nurse retention in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This was a qualitative interview study in which 19 registered nurses in a single ICU were asked which factors contribute to ICU nurse turnover and attrition, as well as improve staff retention. We recruited participants who had either left or considered leaving their ICU position since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. We used Braun and Clarke’s method of thematic analysis to generate themes from the interviews, which were video, or audio recorded. Using NVivo software, data were coded by assigning concepts to data segments. These codes were consolidated into categories and further combined to create themes. The study followed the standards outlined in the COREQ checklist.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>We generated four themes to capture the aspects that most influenced participants’ desire to remain in their ICU positions. Themes included <em>Organizational Resources and Scheduling, Interpersonal Factors, Mental Health Support</em> and <em>Training and Career Advancement.</em></div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>This study explored the key factors that impact nurses’ willingness to continue working in the ICU following the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants highlighted how administrative change, workplace relationships, access to mental health services, and availability of professional development opportunities may have positively influenced their decision to stay. The findings described may prove valuable avenues of future study as further investigation related to the themes described may help guide intervention aimed at improving ICU retention.</div></div><div><h3>Implications for Clinical Practice</h3><div>Together, these findings may serve to inform future ICU interventions aimed at improving nurse retention in the ICU.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51322,"journal":{"name":"Intensive and Critical Care Nursing","volume":"93 ","pages":"Article 104294"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145693805","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-04DOI: 10.1016/j.iccn.2025.104305
Jeanette Vreman, Mark van den Boogaard, Johannes G. van der Hoeven, Joris Lemson, Bram Tilburgs
Objective
To explore factors that influenced the application of a noise reduction bundle in daily practice as experienced by healthcare professionals.
Methods
Between April and June 2024, seven semi-structured focus group interviews were conducted. Recorded interviews were transcribed and coded. Using Flottorp’s checklist for identifying determinants of practice, data were categorized to identify factors influencing the bundle’s application. The analysis was carried out collaboratively by multiple researchers.
Results
The focus group interviews were conducted with 31 participants: nursing staff and physicians. A total of 37 factors were identified. Facilitating factors were: phased implementation, clear communication and work instructions, addressing the theme regularly, routine-building, supportive materials, reminders, training, technical assistance, engaged leadership, key nurses, feedback. Hindering factors were: limited urgency, lack of outcome expectancy, limited adherence of the interventions, limited raising of issues, absence of noise norms, unsuitable environment.
Conclusions
This process evaluation of the randomized clinical trial investigating a bundle of noise-reducing interventions, demonstrates that successful ICU noise reduction requires a structured implementation and attention to contextual and cultural factors. While engaged leadership and feedback facilitated adoption, a limited sense of urgency and the absence of shared noise norms impeded sustainability. An integrated approach—combining technical solutions with behavioral strategies, and promoting team ownership and open communication—is essential.
{"title":"The implementation of a noise reduction bundle in the intensive care unit: A qualitative process evaluation","authors":"Jeanette Vreman, Mark van den Boogaard, Johannes G. van der Hoeven, Joris Lemson, Bram Tilburgs","doi":"10.1016/j.iccn.2025.104305","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.iccn.2025.104305","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To explore factors that influenced the application of a noise reduction bundle in daily practice as experienced by healthcare professionals.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Between April and June 2024, seven semi-structured focus group interviews were conducted. Recorded interviews were transcribed and coded. Using Flottorp’s checklist for identifying determinants of practice, data were categorized to identify factors influencing the bundle’s application. The analysis was carried out collaboratively by multiple researchers.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The focus group interviews were conducted with 31 participants: nursing staff and physicians. A total of 37 factors were identified. Facilitating factors were: phased implementation, clear communication and work instructions, addressing the theme regularly, routine-building, supportive materials, reminders, training, technical assistance, engaged leadership, key nurses, feedback. Hindering factors were: limited urgency, lack of outcome expectancy, limited adherence of the interventions, limited raising of issues, absence of noise norms, unsuitable environment.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>This process evaluation of the randomized clinical trial investigating a bundle of noise-reducing interventions, demonstrates that successful ICU noise reduction requires a structured implementation and attention to contextual and cultural factors. While engaged leadership and feedback facilitated adoption, a limited sense of urgency and the absence of shared noise norms impeded sustainability. An integrated approach—combining technical solutions with behavioral strategies, and promoting team ownership and open communication—is essential.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51322,"journal":{"name":"Intensive and Critical Care Nursing","volume":"93 ","pages":"Article 104305"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145688867","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-04DOI: 10.1016/j.iccn.2025.104293
Rahel Naef
{"title":"Nurse-led, multicomponent models of family care in adult intensive care units","authors":"Rahel Naef","doi":"10.1016/j.iccn.2025.104293","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.iccn.2025.104293","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":51322,"journal":{"name":"Intensive and Critical Care Nursing","volume":"93 ","pages":"Article 104293"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145688861","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-11-28DOI: 10.1016/j.iccn.2025.104281
Fien Donckels , Massimo Antonelli , Kostoula Arvaniti , Ben Creagh‑Brown , Elena Conoscenti , Dylan W. de Lange , Gennaro De Pascale , Jan De Waele , Mieke Deschepper , Yalim Dikmen , George Dimopoulos , Christian Eckmann , Guy Francois , Massimo Girardis , Despoina Koulenti , Sonia Labeau , Jeffrey Lipman , Emilio Maseda , Philippe Montravers , Adam Mikstacki , Stijn Blot
Objective
To assess the relationship between body mass index (BMI, i.e., kg/m2) and mortality in ICU patients with intra-abdominal infection or sepsis.
Methods
This is a secondary analysis from AbSeS, an international, observational cohort study including patients with intra-abdominal infection (n = 2588). Patients were classified as underweight (BMI < 18.5), normal weight (BMI 18.5–24.9), overweight (BMI 25–29.9), or obese (BMI ≥ 30). Independent relationships with mortality were assessed by logistic and Cox regression. Results reported as odds ratios (OR) or hazard ratios (HR) 95 % and confidence interval (CI). Sensitivity analyses were performed for age (<65 or ≥ 65 years), sex, and sepsis or septic shock.
Results
Overall mortality was 29.1 %. Logistic regression showed underweight to be associated with increased mortality (OR 1.76, 95 % CI 1.12–2.78), while obesity was independently associated with a decreased mortality risk compared to normal weight patients (OR 0.75, 95 % CI 0.58–0.97). Mortality in overweight patients was not different from patients with a normal weight. In patients < 65 years, the association with underweight remained, while obesity was no longer associated with decreased mortality. All significant relationships between BMI and mortality disappeared when only considering patients ≥ 65 years. Underweight was associated with increased mortality in patients with sepsis, but not in septic shock. In Cox regression, underweight remained an independent risk factor for death (HR 1.72, 95 % CI 1.25–2.35), whereas obesity was no longer associated with a decreased mortality risk.
Conclusion
In the context of intra-abdominal infection in ICU patients, underweight is independently associated with increased mortality. The possible association of obesity with decreased mortality risk is less robust.
Implications for Clinical Practice
Nutritional screening should be part of preoperative evaluation in elective abdominal surgery. If undernutrition is identified, targeted nutritional support should be initiated early to improve postoperative resilience and potentially reduce mortality risk in case of critical illness.
目的探讨ICU腹内感染或脓毒症患者体重指数（BMI，即kg/m2）与死亡率的关系。方法：这是一项来自AbSeS的二级分析，AbSeS是一项国际观察性队列研究，纳入了腹腔内感染患者（n = 2588）。患者被分为体重过轻（BMI < 18.5）、体重正常（BMI 18.5 - 24.9）、超重（BMI 25-29.9）和肥胖（BMI≥30）。通过logistic和Cox回归评估与死亡率的独立关系。结果报告为优势比（OR）或风险比（HR） 95%和置信区间（CI）。对年龄（65岁或≥65岁）、性别、败血症或感染性休克进行敏感性分析。结果总死亡率为29.1%。Logistic回归显示体重不足与死亡率增加相关（OR 1.76, 95% CI 1.12-2.78），而与正常体重患者相比，肥胖与死亡率风险降低独立相关（OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.58-0.97）。超重患者的死亡率与正常体重患者没有差异。在65岁的患者中，与体重不足的关联仍然存在，而肥胖不再与死亡率降低相关。当仅考虑≥65岁的患者时，BMI和死亡率之间的所有显著关系都消失了。体重不足与败血症患者死亡率增加有关，但与感染性休克无关。在Cox回归中，体重不足仍然是死亡的独立危险因素（HR 1.72, 95% CI 1.25-2.35），而肥胖不再与死亡风险降低相关。结论在ICU患者腹腔感染的情况下，体重过轻与死亡率增加独立相关。肥胖与降低死亡风险之间可能存在的关联并不那么明显。对临床实践的启示营养筛查应是择期腹部手术术前评估的一部分。如果确定营养不良，应及早开始有针对性的营养支持，以提高术后恢复能力，并在危重疾病的情况下潜在地降低死亡风险。
{"title":"Body mass index and mortality: The “Obesity Paradox” in critically ill patients with intra-abdominal infection or sepsis – An international cohort study","authors":"Fien Donckels , Massimo Antonelli , Kostoula Arvaniti , Ben Creagh‑Brown , Elena Conoscenti , Dylan W. de Lange , Gennaro De Pascale , Jan De Waele , Mieke Deschepper , Yalim Dikmen , George Dimopoulos , Christian Eckmann , Guy Francois , Massimo Girardis , Despoina Koulenti , Sonia Labeau , Jeffrey Lipman , Emilio Maseda , Philippe Montravers , Adam Mikstacki , Stijn Blot","doi":"10.1016/j.iccn.2025.104281","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.iccn.2025.104281","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To assess the relationship between body mass index (BMI, i.e., kg/m<sup>2</sup>) and mortality in ICU patients with intra-abdominal infection or sepsis.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This is a secondary analysis from <em>AbSeS</em>, an international, observational cohort study including patients with intra-abdominal infection (n = 2588). Patients were classified as underweight (BMI < 18.5), normal weight (BMI 18.5–24.9), overweight (BMI 25–29.9), or obese (BMI ≥ 30). Independent relationships with mortality were assessed by logistic and Cox regression. Results reported as odds ratios (OR) or hazard ratios (HR) 95 % and confidence interval (CI). Sensitivity analyses were performed for age (<65 or ≥ 65 years), sex, and sepsis or septic shock.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Overall mortality was 29.1 %. Logistic regression showed underweight to be associated with increased mortality (OR 1.76, 95 % CI 1.12–2.78), while obesity was independently associated with a decreased mortality risk compared to normal weight patients (OR 0.75, 95 % CI 0.58–0.97). Mortality in overweight patients was not different from patients with a normal weight. In patients < 65 years, the association with underweight remained, while obesity was no longer associated with decreased mortality. All significant relationships between BMI and mortality disappeared when only considering patients ≥ 65 years. Underweight was associated with increased mortality in patients with sepsis, but not in septic shock. In Cox regression, underweight remained an independent risk factor for death (HR 1.72, 95 % CI 1.25–2.35), whereas obesity was no longer associated with a decreased mortality risk.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>In the context of intra-abdominal infection in ICU patients, underweight is independently associated with increased mortality. The possible association of obesity with decreased mortality risk is less robust.</div></div><div><h3>Implications for Clinical Practice</h3><div>Nutritional screening should be part of preoperative evaluation in elective abdominal surgery. If undernutrition is identified, targeted nutritional support should be initiated early to improve postoperative resilience and potentially reduce mortality risk in case of critical illness.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51322,"journal":{"name":"Intensive and Critical Care Nursing","volume":"93 ","pages":"Article 104281"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-11-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145623522","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-11-26DOI: 10.1016/j.iccn.2025.104286
Laura Istanboulian , Amy Freeman-Sanderson , Praisy Rampogu , Kelly Smith , Karen Soldatić
{"title":"Title language, culture and communication vulnerability – Response to Bloomer et al.","authors":"Laura Istanboulian , Amy Freeman-Sanderson , Praisy Rampogu , Kelly Smith , Karen Soldatić","doi":"10.1016/j.iccn.2025.104286","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.iccn.2025.104286","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":51322,"journal":{"name":"Intensive and Critical Care Nursing","volume":"93 ","pages":"Article 104286"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-11-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145623521","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-11-25DOI: 10.1016/j.iccn.2025.104291
Krishnaswamy Sundararajan , Ashwin Subramaniam , Scott Hanson-Easey , Campbell Thompson , Caroline Phelan , Sarah Doherty , Mark Plummer , Mohammad Afzal Mahmood , Melissa J Bloomer
Introduction
Cultural diversity is a broad term used to encompass ethnic and racial diversity, multiculturalism, diverse languages, religions, practices, beliefs and identities of people. In ICU, people who are culturally diverse are at increased risk of marginalisation, sub-optimal care, higher morbidity and mortality. Ethnocultural biases and stereotypical assumptions can negatively influence ICU care.
Aim
To explore the experiences of nurses, physicians and allied health professionals (clinicians) in caring for patients and their family members from culturally diverse backgrounds.
Methods
Ethical approval was granted for an exploratory descriptive study. Convenience sampling was used to recruit clinicians involved in patient care, from two ICUs in Australia. Semi-structured individual interviews were undertaken to gather data, with interviews audio recorded and auto-transcribed. Data were analysed using inductive content analysis.
Findings
Twenty clinicians participated, with interviews lasting 26 min (mean). Analysis revealed four main themes: (i) Cultural sensitivity and responsiveness, which describes the importance of cultural sensitivity and responsiveness in care; (ii) Complexities of communication, which includes descriptions of strategies to overcome communication barriers; (iii) At the end of life, which describes end-of-life care challenges, particularly in the context of brain death and organ donation; and (iv) The way forward, offering suggestions for optimising care for patients and family members who were culturally diverse.
Conclusions
Cultural diversity complicates patient and family care and communication in the ICU. These findings emphasise the importance of clinicians’ sensitivity and openness to difference, and that it is clinicians’ responsibility to overcome cultural and linguistic differences, not the critically ill patient or their family.
Implications for clinical practice
Achieving greater openness and awareness requires ICU and healthcare leaders to promote the use of professional interpreters to their full scope of expertise, development of culturally-specific resources and creation of a wider community network of cultural representatives to bridge cultural gaps.
{"title":"“Who are they? What does that mean for care?”: An exploratory descriptive study of clinicians’ experiences of caring for patients and family members from culturally diverse backgrounds","authors":"Krishnaswamy Sundararajan , Ashwin Subramaniam , Scott Hanson-Easey , Campbell Thompson , Caroline Phelan , Sarah Doherty , Mark Plummer , Mohammad Afzal Mahmood , Melissa J Bloomer","doi":"10.1016/j.iccn.2025.104291","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.iccn.2025.104291","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Cultural diversity is a broad term used to encompass ethnic and racial diversity, multiculturalism, diverse languages, religions, practices, beliefs and identities of people. In ICU, people who are culturally diverse are at increased risk of marginalisation, sub-optimal care, higher morbidity and mortality. Ethnocultural biases and stereotypical assumptions can negatively influence ICU care.</div></div><div><h3>Aim</h3><div>To explore the experiences of nurses, physicians and allied health professionals (clinicians) in caring for patients and their family members from culturally diverse backgrounds.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Ethical approval was granted for an exploratory descriptive study. Convenience sampling was used to recruit clinicians involved in patient care, from two ICUs in Australia. Semi-structured individual interviews were undertaken to gather data, with interviews audio recorded and auto-transcribed. Data were analysed using inductive content analysis.</div></div><div><h3>Findings</h3><div>Twenty clinicians participated, with interviews lasting 26 min (mean). Analysis revealed four main themes: (i) Cultural sensitivity and responsiveness, which describes the importance of cultural sensitivity and responsiveness in care; (ii) Complexities of communication, which includes descriptions of strategies to overcome communication barriers; (iii) At the end of life, which describes end-of-life care challenges, particularly in the context of brain death and organ donation; and (iv) The way forward, offering suggestions for optimising care for patients and family members who were culturally diverse.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Cultural diversity complicates patient and family care and communication in the ICU. These findings emphasise the importance of clinicians’ sensitivity and openness to difference, and that it is clinicians’ responsibility to overcome cultural and linguistic differences, not the critically ill patient or their family.</div></div><div><h3>Implications for clinical practice</h3><div>Achieving greater openness and awareness requires ICU and healthcare leaders to promote the use of professional interpreters to their full scope of expertise, development of culturally-specific resources and creation of a wider community network of cultural representatives to bridge cultural gaps.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51322,"journal":{"name":"Intensive and Critical Care Nursing","volume":"93 ","pages":"Article 104291"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-11-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145608094","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-11-25DOI: 10.1016/j.iccn.2025.104273
Madison Givens , Michelle Shin , Joseph Schlesinger
{"title":"The future of music and arts in medicine and health","authors":"Madison Givens , Michelle Shin , Joseph Schlesinger","doi":"10.1016/j.iccn.2025.104273","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.iccn.2025.104273","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":51322,"journal":{"name":"Intensive and Critical Care Nursing","volume":"93 ","pages":"Article 104273"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-11-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145623523","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-11-25DOI: 10.1016/j.iccn.2025.104288
Matteo Rossetti , Gennaro Martucci , Paolo Capuano
{"title":"Endocrine challenges in chronic heart failure: Focus on left ventricular assist device","authors":"Matteo Rossetti , Gennaro Martucci , Paolo Capuano","doi":"10.1016/j.iccn.2025.104288","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.iccn.2025.104288","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":51322,"journal":{"name":"Intensive and Critical Care Nursing","volume":"93 ","pages":"Article 104288"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-11-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145608120","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
扫码关注我们
求助内容：
应助结果提醒方式：
京公网安备 11010802042870号