Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 15, 2026
A Detailed Protocol for Physiological Parameters Acquisition and Analysis in Neurosurgical Critical Patients
Published on: October 17, 2017
Optimising Paediatric Transition to Intensive Care for Adults (OPTICAL): study protocol for a mixed method study
Qi Huang1, Charmaine Kohn2, Sue Ben Abraham3
1University College London Clinical Operational Research Unit, London, UK qi_huang@ucl.ac.uk.
Insights
Improving intensive care unit (ICU) transitions for teenagers and young adults (TYA) with complex conditions is crucial. This study will analyze UK data and patient experiences to inform evidence-based policy for better TYA critical care.
Area of Science:
- Critical Care Medicine
- Health Services Research
- Paediatric to Adult Transition
Background:
- Teenagers and young adults (TYA) with chronic conditions face challenges transitioning to adult intensive care units (ICUs).
- Existing adult ICU services are often ill-equipped for TYA, risking compromised care.
- Current UK guidelines for ICU transition lack an evidence base, with limited established pathways.
Purpose of the Study:
- To generate evidence for national policy on paediatric to adult ICU transition.
- To improve clinical care and patient experience for TYA in ICUs.
- To address the limitations of current, non-evidence-based transition recommendations.
Main Methods:
- Mixed-methods study combining UK national data analysis (2017-2024) on ICU admissions and healthcare utilization.
- Semistructured interviews, online forums, and surveys with TYA patients, carers, and health professionals.
- Synthesis of evidence and stakeholder engagement to propose targeted improvements.
Main Results:
- Analysis of UK national data (2017-2024) to identify clinical characteristics and healthcare resource utilization of TYA in ICUs.
- Understanding of TYA and professional experiences of ICU transition through qualitative data collection.
- Development of evidence-based recommendations for improving ICU transition pathways.
Conclusions:
- This research will provide crucial evidence to inform national policy for TYA ICU transitions.
- Findings aim to enhance the quality of care and patient experience during critical care.
- The study addresses an urgent need for evidence-based guidelines in this specialized area of critical care.
Introduction:
An increasing number of teenagers and young adults (TYA) with chronic conditions and complex needs are transitioning from paediatric to adult services, including admission to intensive care units (ICUs). As these services are often ill-equipped to care for TYA, there is a risk of compromised care. Despite recent guidelines from the UK Paediatric Critical Care and Intensive Care Societies highlighting the importance and urgency of improving ICU transition, current recommendations are not evidence-based and established pathways for ICU transition remain limited.
Methods And Analysis:
This mixed-methods research study aims to generate evidence to underpin national policy on transition from paediatric to adult ICUs that will improve clinical care and patient experience. To do this, we will: (1) link and analyse UK national data (years 2017-2024) on paediatric and adult ICU admissions, hospital inpatient, outpatient and emergency care visits and survival status, to determine the clinical characteristics and healthcare resource utilisation from teenage years to early adulthood of people admitted to an ICU as a young person (admission aged 14 and 15), and how these relate to ICU admissions after age 16; (2) conduct semistructured interviews, online forums and surveys with TYA patients, carers and health professionals to understand their experience of transition in ICU services; and (3) synthesise these strands of evidence and use a structured process of stakeholder engagement to propose potential targeted improvements as appropriate.
Ethics And Dissemination:
This study was approved by the East of England - Cambridge South Research Ethics Committee on 1 August 2024 (research ethics committee number 24/EE/0108), and the Health Research Authority Confidentiality Advisory Group (CAG) on 7 October 2024 (CAG number 24/CAG/0068). Study results will be actively disseminated through peer-reviewed journals, conference presentations and accessible lay texts and graphic summaries for the use of charities and patients including those with learning disabilities and neurodevelopmental disorders.
More Related Videos
04:53A Clinical Trial Assessing the Safety, Efficacy, and Delivery of Olive-Oil-Based Three-Chamber Bags for Parenteral Nutrition
Published on: September 20, 2019
10:38Observational Study Protocol for Repeated Clinical Examination and Critical Care Ultrasonography Within the Simple Intensive Care Studies
Published on: January 16, 2019
Related Concept Videos
01:28Dosage Regimens: Designs and Approaches
01:28Methods of Medium Optimization