Effect of Implementing Multi-component Nursing Intervention on Agitation Level among Critically Ill Patients

Abstract

Background: The presence of agitation often obscures the accurate diagnosis and postponesthe initiation of treatment of critically ill patients. To mitigate the negative consequences of agitation,multi-component nursing interventions were tailored for these patients. Those are evidence-basedinterventions that address the unique needs, preferences, and values of patients. Aim: Todetermine the effect of multi-component nursing intervention on agitation level among critically illpatients. Settings: This study was conducted across four adult intensive care units ICUs located withinAlexandria Main University Hospital (AMUH) in Egypt. Subjects: A convenient sample consisting of60 critically ill patients was divided into two equal groups, with each group comprising 30 patients.Tools: Three tools were employed in this study. The first tool was the "agitation risk assessment". Thesecond tool utilized was the "outcomes of multi-Component nursing intervention on agitation". Thethird tool applied was the "agitation adverse events Assessment". Results: The study results showedthat the frequency of agitation was significantly reduced in the multi-component intervention groupcompared to the routine care group on days 4 and 5 (p = (p=<0.018 and 0.035, respectively).Furthermore, agitation levels over five days did not differ significantly between the multi-componentintervention group and the routine care group (p=0.077, 0.516, 0.492, 0.274, and 0.684, respectively).Conclusion: Implementation of a multi-component nursing intervention significantly reduced thefrequency of agitation. Recommendations: Critical care nurses (CCNs) should integrate multicomponentnursing interventions into their daily practice that tailored to the patient's needs andpreferences.