Delirium in the intensive care unit: Mixed-methods insights into current status and future recommendations

This study employed qualitative interviews to contextualize and deepen the understanding of quantitative results about healthcare professionals’ current awareness, performance, barriers, and needs regarding effective ICU delirium screening and management. A mixed-methods convergent/parallel design was employed to conduct the current study. A convenience sample of 515 participants completed the survey, and out of them, 15 participants were interviewed. Nurses, males, six months to less than one year of ICU experience, lower ICU occupancy rate, and lower bed numbers in ICU facilities were frequently associated with lower delirium awareness. Physicians and healthcare professionals with bachelor's degrees scored higher on delirium performance. There were fewer barriers to delirium care in ICUs with more beds. Four main themes emerged from the qualitative data, including awareness regarding delirium, current practices, barriers to managing delirium, and healthcare professional needs. Delirium was perceived as challenging to screen and manage, and continuous training and education were recommended.