A recent groundbreaking study conducted in Oman has shed light on the alarming rates of delirium among intensive care unit (ICU) patients in the country. The research, conducted by Rasha Khamis Hamdan Al Hoodar, a staff nurse at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, revealed that over one-quarter of ICU patients in Oman are affected by this often-overlooked condition. Delirium can significantly worsen health outcomes and increase healthcare costs if left untreated. The study, titled “Incidence, associated factors, and outcomes of delirium among patients admitted to ICUs in Oman,” was the first of its kind in the Sultanate to explore the impact of delirium in ICUs and provide critical data on the condition.
Dr. Eilean Lazarus Rathinasamy, Assistant Professor at the College of Nursing, Sultan Qaboos University, supervised the study, which aimed to identify the incidence of delirium, its predisposing and precipitating factors, and its impact on ICU length of stay and mortality rates. The research involved 153 ICU patients at two major hospitals in Oman and used the Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist (ICDSC) to identify patients with delirium. The study found that several key factors, including sepsis, mechanical ventilation, sedation, metabolic acidosis, and the use of nasogastric tubes, were linked to the occurrence of delirium.
Patients with delirium experienced longer ICU stays and higher mortality rates compared to those without the condition. Delirium was also positively associated with the severity of illness as measured by the APACHE II and SOFA scores. The study recommends several strategies to reduce the incidence and impact of delirium in Oman’s ICUs, including routine daily screening of patients, the implementation of the ABCDE Bundle care approach, enhanced training programmes for ICU staff, and multidisciplinary collaboration in ICU care.
The study’s authors emphasize the need for a shift in ICU culture to prioritize delirium management, which can lead to improved patient care, reduced ICU stays, and decreased healthcare costs. The findings of the study were published in Anesthesiology Research and Practice and Critical Care Research and Practice journals. The research was supported by the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation’s Publication Support Programme, which aims to promote high-quality research publications in Oman. The study provides valuable insights into the prevalence and impact of delirium in ICUs in Oman and highlights the urgent need for better prevention and management strategies for this serious condition.
