Is Pediatric Intensive Care Trauma-Informed? A Review of Principles and Evidence

Area of Science:

• Pediatric critical care medicine
• Child trauma and resilience
• Healthcare quality improvement

Background:

• Pediatric critical illness and recovery are potentially traumatic for children and families.
• Children in Pediatric Intensive Care Units (PICUs) may have pre-existing trauma, increasing vulnerability to distress.
• Trauma-informed care (TIC) in PICUs is under-examined but shows potential for enhancing care quality and patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the need for implementing trauma-informed care (TIC) in Pediatric Intensive Care Units (PICUs).
• To introduce the American Academy of Pediatrics' principles of TIC: awareness, readiness, detection and assessment, management, and integration.
• To review current clinical practices within PICU settings related to each TIC principle.

Main Methods:

• This paper utilizes a narrative review methodology.
• It examines the existing literature on trauma and critical care in pediatric populations.
• Current clinical practices in PICUs are analyzed against established TIC principles.

Main Results:

• The review highlights the significant need for trauma-informed care (TIC) in Pediatric Intensive Care Units (PICUs).
• Current clinical practices are assessed in relation to the five core principles of TIC.
• Opportunities for enhancing TIC programs to improve patient care and advance scientific knowledge are identified.

Conclusions:

• Trauma-informed care (TIC) is essential for improving the quality of care and mitigating trauma-related symptoms in Pediatric Intensive Care Units (PICUs).
• Further development and integration of TIC programs are recommended to better support children and families during critical illness and recovery.
• Implementing TIC principles can lead to more positive coping mechanisms and better anticipatory guidance for the recovery process.