Background: Data regarding delivery of evidence-based care to critically ill patients in Intensive Care Units (ICU) during the COVID-19 pandemic is crucial but lacking. This study aimed to evaluate the implementation rate of the ABCDEF bundle, which is a collection of six evidence-based ICU care initiatives which are strongly recommended to be incorporated into clinical practice, and ICU diaries for patients with and without COVID-19 infections in ICUs, and to analyze the impact of COVID-19 on implementation of each element of the bundle and independent associated factors.Methods: A world-wide 1-day point prevalence study investigated the delivery of the ABCDEF bundle and ICU diary to patients without or with COVID-19 infections on 27 January 2021 via an online questionnaire. Multivariable logistic regression analysis with adjustment for patient demographics evaluated the impact of COVID-19 and identified factors in ICU administrative structures and policies independently associated with delivery.Results: From 54 countries and 135 ICUs, 1,229 patients were eligible, and 607 (49%) had COVID-19 infections. Implementation rates were: entire bundle (without COVID-19: 0% and with COVID-19: 1%), Element A (regular pain assessment: 64 and 55%), Element B (both spontaneous awakening and breathing trials: 17 and 10%), Element C (regular sedation assessment: 45 and 61%), Element D (regular delirium assessment: 39 and 35%), Element E (exercise: 22 and 25%), Element F (family engagement/empowerment: 16 and 30%), and ICU diary (17 and 21%). The presence of COVID-19 was not associated with failure to implement individual elements. Independently associated factors for each element in common between the two groups included presence of a specific written protocol, application of a target/goal, and tele-ICU management. A lower income status country and a 3:1 nurse-patient ratio were significantly associated with non-implementation of elements A, C, and D, while a lower income status country was also associated with implementation of element F.Conclusions: Regardless of COVID-19 infection status, implementation rates for the ABCDEF bundle, for each element individually and an ICU diary were extremely low for patients without and with COVID-19 infections during the pandemic. Strategies to facilitate implementation of and adherence to the complete ABCDEF bundle should be optimized and addressed based on unit-specific barriers and facilitators.
Background The roles of physiotherapy in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) have significantly developed from the traditional management of respiratory conditions to early rehabilitation and mobilisation of patients on mechanical ventilation. Surveys of United Kingdom, Australia and regional ICU physiotherapy practice have been published but there are no local data sets. This study aims to report the physiotherapy practices across the adult ICUs of Singapore. Methods Twenty-nine item questionnaire was mailed to 90 physiotherapists working in 15 adult ICUs across restructured and private hospitals in Singapore. Data sets were summarised from the returned questionnaires. This includes identifying common physiotherapy techniques and exercise prescription protocols for both mechanically and non-mechanically ventilated patients in the ICU. Results A total of 63 (70%) questionnaires were returned. The most used physiotherapy interventions were airway secretion clearance, techniques to improve lung ventilation and mobilisation out of bed. Positioning was most used respiratory technique (60/61, 98%). Sitting on the edge of bed is the most preferred physical activity for ICU patients (43/44, 98%). Exercise was routinely prescribed (50/61, 83%) although only a minority (8/50, 16%) have established exercise prescription protocols. For mechanically ventilated patients, active/active assisted exercises were most used (40/44, 91%). 12% of ICU use either Chelsea Critical Care Physical Assessment Tool or the Functional Status Score for the Intensive Care Unit as routine outcome measures. Conclusion Airway clearance was stated as the most used physiotherapy technique. Exercise is routinely prescribed in ICU. Validated outcome measures are only used by few.
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