ArticleAnaesthesia2026
Barriers and facilitators to the delivery of delirium care in intensive care units: an analysis informed by the Theoretical Domains Framework.
Article in Anaesthesia, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
6 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- A systematic meta-review of interventions to prevent and manage delirium in the Intensive Care Unit: Part 2 - Non-pharmacological and multicomponent interventions.Critical care (London, England) · 2025Pooled it
- Intensive Care Nurses' Experiences and Attitudes Towards Family Involvement in Delirium Care: A Qualitative Descriptive Study.Nursing in critical care · 2026Article
- Critical care delirium: prevention, identification and management: a narrative review.Anaesthesia · 2026Review
- Barriers and Facilitators to Delirium Management Among ICU Nurses in Two Tertiary Hospitals in Chongqing, China: A Qualitative Study Using the COM-B Framework.Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Article
- Delirium awareness and care practices among Western European healthcare professionals: a survey.European geriatric medicine · 2026Article
- The reasons hypoactive delirium is often overlooked: a reply.Anaesthesia · 2026Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
6 authors.
Funding
Abstract
introductionDelirium is common in patients who are critically ill and associated with increased mortality and long-term cognitive impairment. The objective of this study was to explore the barriers and facilitators to the use of existing ICU delirium identification tools and implementation of care protocols.
methodsSemi-structured interviews were conducted with healthcare professionals working in UK NHS ICUs. Purposive sampling was utilised to recruit a diverse range of participants to account for profession; user status of delirium identification tools or care packages; size of unit; and UK location. Thematic analysis was undertaken using the Theoretical Domains Framework.
resultsTwenty-one ICU healthcare professionals were interviewed from 20 hospitals. Participants included consultants (n = 9); nurses (n = 8); advanced critical care practitioners (n = 2); and allied health professionals (n = 2). Five major barriers to effective delirium care emerged: lack of prioritisation; lack of structured ICU delirium care protocols; inability to implement interventions due to physical space constraints and/or lack of resources; loss of experienced staff; and changes in ICU nursing culture. Facilitators included the presence of clear protocols; continued staff training; increased awareness; delirium champions; post-ICU follow-up clinics; family engagement; effective communication; and the use of digital prompts as a component of mandatory electronic documentation. DISCUSSION: Although ICU delirium is acknowledged as being important by clinical staff, management is often hindered by systemic and cultural barriers. Healthcare professionals highlighted the need for protocol-driven care, enhanced training and awareness, and the inclusion of families in care processes. These findings will inform the design of a multicomponent care package to improve delirium care in the ICU.
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