Related Experiment Videos
Intensive care unit syndrome: a dangerous misnomer
B E McGuire1, C J Basten, C J Ryan
1Department of Medical Psychology, Westmead Hospital and the University of Sydney, Australia.
Archives of Internal Medicine
|April 13, 2000
Summary
Intensive care unit (ICU) syndrome is not a distinct condition but rather delirium caused by organic stressors. The term ICU syndrome should be abandoned to improve communication and patient care.
Area of Science:
- Critical Care Medicine
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Intensive care unit (ICU) syndrome and ICU psychosis are terms used for psychiatric symptoms in the ICU.
- Environmental factors like sleep deprivation and sensory issues are suspected causes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review empirical evidence for the causes of ICU syndrome.
- To determine if ICU syndrome is distinct from delirium.
- To evaluate the impact of the term ICU syndrome on clinical practice and research.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of empirical studies on ICU syndrome and delirium.
- Analysis of proposed etiological factors (sleep deprivation, sensory overload/monotony).
- Critical evaluation of the term "ICU syndrome" in clinical and research contexts.
Main Results:
- ICU syndrome is indistinguishable from delirium.
- Organic stressors on the central nervous system are the exclusive cause.
- The term "ICU syndrome" hinders standardized communication and research.
Conclusions:
- ICU syndrome is equivalent to delirium and results from organic CNS stressors.
- The term "ICU syndrome" is detrimental, potentially delaying diagnosis and treatment of underlying medical causes.
- Future research should focus on delirium in the ICU and avoid the term "ICU syndrome".