Cognitive impairment in critically ill patients and former critically ill patients: A concept analysis

BACKGROUND
• Intensive care unit (ICU) survivorship has increased, leading to greater focus on the
consequences of an ICU admission.
• Cognitive impairment is a frequent but highly under-recognised complication for critically ill
patients.
• It is crucial to clarify the meaning of cognitive impairment in critically ill patients throughout the
trajectory of their rehabilitation during and after and ICU admission.

METHODS
• A concept analysis based on Rodgers’ evolutionary
method.
• Systematic search: CINAHL, PubMed, and PsycINFO.
• Overall search terms: “patients with cognitive
impairments” AND “intensive care unit”.
• Inclusion: Literature published between 2008 and
2022; screened by title and abstract.
• Descriptive analysis; focused on surrogate
terms/related concepts, attributes, and context.

RESULTS
• 30 studies were included, representing variability in
study design and country of origin.
• The analysis uncovered descriptions of the general
terminology and the temporal trajectory of the
concept, spanning from the acute phase to a longterm perspective.
• Attributes of the concept were described as delirium
and domains of cognition.
• Antecedents were juxtaposed to risk factors, which
were multifactorial.
• Consequences of cognitive impairment related to
patients’ quality of life.