Evaluation of Pediatric Delirium Awareness and Management in Pediatric Intensive Care Units in Turkey

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Critical Care Medicine
• Neuroscience
• Hospital Management

Background:

• Delirium in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) is linked to adverse outcomes, including longer stays, increased mechanical ventilation, higher costs, and mortality.
• Effective management of pediatric delirium is crucial for improving patient outcomes and reducing healthcare burdens.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the current state of pediatric delirium awareness among physicians in Turkey.
• To evaluate the existing practices for delirium management within Turkish PICUs.

Main Methods:

• A survey was distributed to 19 physicians responsible for PICUs across Turkey.
• The survey collected data on delirium assessment tools, non-pharmacological interventions, and pharmacological treatments used in their units.

Main Results:

• A significant majority of PICUs (57.9%) reported not using any standardized delirium assessment tool.
• Environmental monitoring, such as continuous noise measurement, and the use of eye masks and earpieces were infrequent (15.8% for noise monitoring).
• Commonly used pharmacological agents included haloperidol, dexmedetomidine, benzodiazepines, and atypical antipsychotics.

Conclusions:

• While some Turkish PICUs demonstrate adequate pediatric delirium awareness and management strategies, general insufficiencies persist.
• There is a need for enhanced implementation of standardized assessment tools and non-pharmacological interventions to optimize pediatric delirium care.