Consensus on nursing guidelines to manage patients admitted to intensive care units with an open abdomen : e-Delphi method

Abstract

Aim(s): To obtain a consensus on the use of nursing guidelines for managing patients with open abdomens admitted to intensive care units. Background: Critically ill patients who present with an open abdomen in the intensive care unit pose multiple challenges, especially for nurses, who play a pivotal role in the management of these patients. Updated evidence-based guidelines should be developed for nurses to alleviate nursing challenges when managing these patients. Design: A modified e-Delphi consensus design Methods: An expert panel, including nurses, surgeons, and intensivists with expertise in managing patients with open abdomens in intensive care units, was invited to participate. The data were collected using the Qualtrics survey platform. The expert panel was asked to rate the importance of each guideline statement as well as the importance and practicality of each nursing intervention using a 4-point Likert scale. Experts were allowed to suggest changes to refine the guidelines and interventions. Results: Thirty-one experts participated in Round 1, 22 participated in Round 2, and 18 participated in Round 3. Most of the experts were nurses (71%). The experts were informed of five nursing statements and their interventions. A consensus >80% was obtained on the content of the nursing statements and their interventions, but refined changes were made to the guideline statements and their interventions, which were presented to the experts in rounds two and three. A consensus >90% was obtained after Round 3. Conclusion: The panel of experts was able to reach a consensus on the nursing guidelines in Round 3, concluding that the 2020 guidelines have been updated. In the future, nursing guidelines should be introduced in practice and in training and a nursing protocol should be developed. Reporting method: The study adhered to the relevant EQUATOR reporting guidelines: Guidance on Conducting and Reporting Delphi Studies (CREDES) checklist.