Pediatric intensive care: result of a European survey

Abstract

Objective. To assess and compare the structure, organisation, management, and staffing in different paediatric intensive care units (PICUs) in Europe.

Design. Descriptive study.

Setting. A questionnaire was sent to physicians in PICUs. Physician's names were obtained from the membership list of the European Society of Paediatric and Neonatal Intensive Care.

Interventions. None.

Participants. Physicians from 92 European PICUs.

Measurements and main results. Responses were obtained from 92 PICUs (60% of those surveyed, 64% of hospitals with PICUs). A blank response was obtained in <2% of the questions. Considerable diversity in structure, organisation, staffing, and management in European PICUs was found. Significant differences were observed in unit size, which ranged from 2–56 (average: 8–10) beds/unit. In several – predominantly German-speaking – countries paediatric and neonatal intensive care beds are frequently combined in single units. Most European PICUs (98%) had at least part-time coverage by a paediatric intensivist; 78% had 24-h intensivist coverage. Specialized PICU nurses were present in 98% of European PICUs, and most (75%) had 24-h physician coverage by a physician with no responsibilities outside the PICU.

Conclusions. Data obtained in our survey demonstrate the substantial structural, organisational management, and staff diversity of paediatric ICUs. Most European PICUs employ specialized PICU nurses and have at least part time coverage by paediatric intensivists.