You are safe here: A flyer with re-orientating messages for families of patients with delirium in the intensive care unit.

Patients in delirium require trustful communication and re-orientation. We developed a flyer with positive, re-orientating suggestions for families of delirious patients in intensive care units. Suggestions include creating a safe environment, interpreting unusual behaviours positively and fostering mental resilience. Additionally, families are encouraged to prioritize their own well-being, recognizing their crucial role in supporting their loved ones. This flyer offers practical strategies across four key areas: ensuring security and orientation, reframing noises and body experiences, managing agitation and reshaping perceptions. By equipping families with knowledge and tools, this resource aims to promote understanding, resilience and strength to humanize delirium care.

Survey among critical care nurses and physicians about delirium management.

BACKGROUND: Delirium is a serious complication in patients in intensive care units. Previous surveys on delirium management in daily practice showed low adherence to published guidelines. AIM: To evaluate delirium management in nurses and physicians working in intensive care units in German-speaking countries and to identify related differences between nurses and physicians. DESIGN: The study used an open online survey with multiple-choice responses. METHODS: An invitation for participation was spread via journals and electronic resources using a snowball system. Apart from recording socio-demographical characteristics, the survey collected data on delirium assessment, delirium-related processes, non-pharmacological prevention and treatment and barriers for implementation. Differences between nurses and physicians were tested by Fisher's exact test with sequential Bonferroni correction. RESULTS: The survey was conducted in autumn 2016, and 559 clinicians participated. More nurses than physicians reported screening for delirium. The majority of clinicians reported screening for delirium when this was suspected; more than 50% used validated instruments. Half of the clinicians had delirium-related structures implemented, such as two thirds reporting delirium-related processes. Most cited barriers were lack of time and missing knowledge about delirium and its assessment. With significant difference, physicians recommended more than nurses early removal of catheters and daily interprofessional goals for patients. CONCLUSION: In German-speaking countries, assessment of delirium needs further improvement, leading to accurate assessment. Delirium-related structures and processes appear to be implemented widely, with only a few differences between nurses and physicians. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Nurses and physicians in this survey reported similar perceptions and attitudes towards management of delirium. Both professions need more knowledge and inter-professional training on when and how to use validated assessment instruments.

The reliability of the German version of the Richards Campbell Sleep Questionnaire.

BACKGROUND: The assessment of sleep quality in critically ill patients is a relevant factor of high-quality care. Despite the fact that sleep disturbances and insufficient sleep management contain an increased risk of severe morbidity for these patients, a translated and applicable instrument to evaluate sleep is not available for German-speaking intensive care settings. AIM: This study aimed to translate the Richards Campbell Sleep Questionnaire (RCSQ), a simple and validated instrument eligible for measuring sleep quality in critically ill patients, and subsequently to evaluate the internal consistency of the German version of the RCSQ. Furthermore, it also aimed to inquire into the perception of sleep in a sample of critically ill patients. METHODS: The RCSQ was translated following established methodological standards. Data were collected cross-sectionally in a sample of 51 patients at 3 intensive care units at a university hospital in Germany. RESULTS: The German version of the RCSQ showed an overall internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) of 0·88. The mean of the RSCQ in the sample was 47·00 (SD ± 27·57). Depth of sleep was rated the lowest and falling asleep again the highest of the RCSQ sleep items. CONCLUSION: The study demonstrated very good internal consistency of the German version of the RCSQ, allowing for its application in practice and research in German-speaking countries. Quality of sleep perception was generally low in this sample, emphasizing the need for enhanced care concepts regarding the sleep management of critically ill patients. Relevance to clinical practice Assessment of self-perception of sleep is crucial in order to plan an individually tailored care process.

Opening Pandora's box by generating ICU diaries through artificial intelligence: A hypothetical study protocol.

BACKGROUND: Patients and families on Intensive Care Units (ICU) benefit from ICU diaries, enhancing their coping and understanding of their experiences. Staff shortages and a limited amount of time severely restrict the application of ICU diaries. To counteract this limitation, generating diary entries from medical and nursing records using an artificial intelligence (AI) might be a solution. DESIGN AND PURPOSE: Protocol for a hypothetical multi-center, mixed method study to identify the usability and impact of AI-generated ICU diaries, compared with hand-written diaries. METHOD: A hand-written ICU diary will be written for patients with expected length of stay ≥ 72 h by trained nursing staff and families. Additionally at discharge, the medical and nursing records are analyzed by an AI software, transformed into understandable, empathic diary entries, and printed as diary. Based on an appointment with patients within 3 months, diaries are read in randomized order by trained clinicians with the patients and families. Patients and families will be interviewed about their experiences of reading both diaries. In addition, usability of diaries will be evaluated by a questionnaire. EXPECTED FINDINGS AND RESULTS: Patients and families describe the similarities and differences of language and the content of the different diaries. In addition, concerns can be expressed about the generation and data processing by AI. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Professional nursing involves empathic communication, patient-centered care, and evidence-based interventions. Diaries, beneficial for ICU patients and families, could potentially be generated by Artificial Intelligence, raising ethical and professional considerations about AI's role in complementing or substituting nurses in diary writing. CONCLUSIONS: Generating AI-based entries for ICU diaries is feasible, but raises serious questions about nursing ethics, empathy, data protection, and values of professional nurses. Researchers and developers shall discuss these questions in detail, before starting such projects and opening Pandora's box, that can never be closed afterwards.

[ChatGPT: curse or blessing in nursing care?] / ChatGPT: Fluch oder Segen in der Pflege?

Artificial intelligence (AI) has been used in healthcare for some years for risk detection, diagnostics, documentation, education and training and other purposes. A new open AI application is ChatGPT, which is accessible to everyone. The application of ChatGPT as AI in education, training or studies is currently being discussed from many perspectives. It is questionable whether ChatGPT can and should also support nursing professions in health care. The aim of this review article is to show and critically discuss possible areas of application of ChatGPT in theory and practice with a focus on nursing practice, pedagogy, nursing research and nursing development.

[The intensive care diary-a communication tool]. / Schriftliche Begleitung einer existenziellen Erfahrung: Das Intensivtagebuch als kommunikativer Brückenschlag.

Diaries in intensive care units (ICU) are mostly written by families and nurses for patients with impaired consciousness. In the diary, the development of the patients is described in plain language by daily reports. Patients can read the diary later and process their experiences and, if necessary, reframe them differently. ICU diaries reduce the risks of psychosocial sequelae of patients and families and are now used worldwide. Diaries have different purposes and also serve as a communication tool: words are written to a person who will hopefully read them later. This can help families to stay connected and cope better with the situation. However, writing a diary can also be perceived as a burden by some relatives and nurses due to lack of time or because it seems to be too close. ICU diaries can serve as a tool for patientand family-centered care.

[The intensive care diary-a communication tool]. / Das Intensivtagebuch ­ ein kommunikativer Brückenschlag.

Diaries in intensive care units (ICU) are mostly written by families and nurses for patients with impaired consciousness. In the diary, the development of the patients is described in plain language by daily reports. Patients can read the diary later and process their experiences and, if necessary, reframe them differently. ICU diaries reduce the risks of psychosocial sequelae of patients and families and are now used worldwide. Diaries have different purposes and also serve as a communication tool: words are written to a person who will hopefully read them later. This can help families to stay connected and better cope with the situation. However, writing a diary can also be perceived as a burden by some relatives and nurses due to lack of time or because it seems to be too close. ICU diaries can serve as a tool for patient- and family-centered care.