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Evaluation report of pediatric intensive care units in Turkey
Benan Bayrakci1, Selman Kesici, Tanıl Kendirli
1Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey.
Insights
Pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) in Turkey face shortages in beds, pediatric critical care (PCC) specialists, and nurses. Inefficient bed use is also a major issue, requiring immediate action and strategic planning.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Critical Care
- Healthcare Management
- Public Health Policy
Background:
- Pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) are crucial for managing critically ill children.
- Effective organization and resource allocation are vital for optimal PICU outcomes.
- Data collection across Turkey is needed to assess current PICU status.
Purpose of the Study:
- To gather comprehensive data on PICUs throughout Turkey.
- To inform the organization and strategic planning of pediatric intensive care services.
- To develop immediate action plans and long-term strategies for PICUs.
Main Methods:
- A survey involving 35 specialists (17 pediatric critical care specialists, 9 fellows, 9 pediatricians) was conducted.
- Evaluations focused on PICU infrastructure, mortality rates, admission appropriateness, and bed utilization.
- Data was collected nationwide to provide a broad overview of the pediatric intensive care landscape in Turkey.
Main Results:
- Significant deficiencies were identified in PICU bed numbers, pediatric critical care (PCC) specialist numbers, and PICU nurse numbers across Turkey.
- A high percentage of current PICU beds are used inappropriately or inefficiently.
- The study highlights a critical gap in essential resources and optimal resource utilization within Turkish PICUs.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric intensive care services demonstrate success and efficiency primarily when staffed by dedicated pediatric critical care (PCC) specialists.
- Immediate initiation of studies to improve PICU infrastructure is imperative.
- Enhanced training programs for PCC specialists and other healthcare personnel are essential for advancing pediatric intensive care in Turkey.
Background/Aim:
To collect data from throughout Turkey in order to facilitate the organization of pediatric intensive care units (PICUs), and to develop short-term immediate action plans and draft long-term strategic plans.
Materials And Methods:
A total of 35 specialists including 17 pediatric critical care (PCC) specialists, 9 PCC fellows in training, and 9 pediatricians working in PICUs evaluated PICUs and their infrastructures, mortality rates, appropriateness of indications for PICU admissions, PICU bed numbers, and utilization of those PICU beds.
Results:
PICU bed numbers, PCC specialist numbers, and PICU nurse numbers are insufficient in Turkey. The high percentage of inappropriate and inefficient use of current PICU beds is also another problem.
Conclusion:
In the light of this report, it is obvious that pediatric intensive care services are successful and efficient only in the presence of PCC specialists in PICUs. Studies for improving the infrastructure of PICUs and the training of PCC specialists and other health personnel should be started immediately.
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