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Putting ICU triage guidelines into practice: A simulation study using observations and interviews.
Abma, Inger L; Olthuis, Gert J; Maassen, Irma T H M; Knippenberg, Marjan L; Moviat, Miriam; Hasker, Annie J; Buenen, A G; Fikkers, Bernard G; Oerlemans, Anke J M.
Affiliation
  • Abma IL; IQ healthcare, section Ethics of healthcare, Radboud Institute of Health Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
  • Olthuis GJ; IQ healthcare, section Ethics of healthcare, Radboud Institute of Health Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
  • Maassen ITHM; IQ healthcare, Radboud Institute of Health Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
  • Knippenberg ML; IQ healthcare, Radboud Institute of Health Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
  • Moviat M; Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Jeroen Bosch Hospital, 's-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands.
  • Hasker AJ; Pastoral Care Department, Isala, Zwolle, The Netherlands.
  • Buenen AG; Department of Emergency Medicine, Bernhoven Hospital, Uden, The Netherlands.
  • Fikkers BG; Department of Critical Care Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
  • Oerlemans AJM; IQ healthcare, section Ethics of healthcare, Radboud Institute of Health Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
PLoS One ; 18(8): e0286978, 2023.
Article in En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37616248
BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted many countries to formulate guidelines on how to deal with a worst-case scenario in which the number of patients needing intensive care unit (ICU) care exceeds the number of available beds. This study aims to explore the experiences of triage teams when triaging fictitious patients with the Dutch triage guidelines. It provides an overview of the factors that influence decision-making when performing ICU triage with triage guidelines. METHODS: Eight triage teams from four hospitals were given files of fictitious patients needing intensive care and instructed to triage these patients. Sessions were observed and audio-recorded. Four focus group interviews with triage team members were held to reflect on the sessions and the Dutch guidelines. The results were analyzed by inductive content analysis. RESULTS: The Dutch triage guidelines were the main basis for making triage decisions. However, some teams also allowed their own considerations (outside of the guidelines) to play a role when making triage decisions, for example to help avoid using non-medical criteria such as prioritization based on age group. Group processes also played a role in decision-making: triage choices can be influenced by the triagists' opinion on the guidelines and the carefulness with which they are applied. Intensivists, being most experienced in prognostication of critical illness, often had the most decisive role during triage sessions. CONCLUSIONS: Using the Dutch triage guidelines is feasible, but there were some inconsistencies in prioritization between teams that may be undesirable. ICU triage guideline writers should consider which aspects of their criteria might, when applied in practice, lead to inconsistencies or ethically questionable prioritization of patients. Practical training of triage team members in applying the guidelines, including explanation of the rationale underlying the triage criteria, might improve the willingness and ability of triage teams to follow the guidelines closely.
Subject(s)

Full text: 1 Collection: 01-internacional Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Practice Guidelines as Topic / Intensive Care Units Type of study: Guideline / Prognostic_studies / Qualitative_research Aspects: Ethics Limits: Humans Language: En Journal: PLoS One Journal subject: CIENCIA / MEDICINA Year: 2023 Document type: Article Affiliation country: Country of publication:

Full text: 1 Collection: 01-internacional Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Practice Guidelines as Topic / Intensive Care Units Type of study: Guideline / Prognostic_studies / Qualitative_research Aspects: Ethics Limits: Humans Language: En Journal: PLoS One Journal subject: CIENCIA / MEDICINA Year: 2023 Document type: Article Affiliation country: Country of publication: