Intensive care delirium monitoring and standardised treatment: A complete survey of Dutch Intensive Care Units

SummaryObjectiveDelirium is a frequent and serious problem in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Several international guidelines recommend daily monitoring for ICU-delirium. The purpose of this article is to give an up-to-date overview of the current status of monitoring and treatment of ICU-delirium in the Netherlands.DesignNation-wide, telephone-based questionnaire survey.ParticipantsHead nurse of all ICUs and a random sample of intensivists.ResultsOnly 14% (n = 14) of all Dutch ICUs (n = 103) monitored for ICU-delirium. Of these, only half (7%) used a tool that is validated in ICU patients. In 31% of Dutch ICUs, a protocol was used to treat ICU-delirium. Responses were obtained from 100% of ICUs.ConclusionDespite an international guideline, not more than 7% of ICUs in our study routinely evaluated the presence of delirium with a validated instrument. Fewer than one-third of Dutch ICUs use a protocol to treat ICU-delirium.