Events which will influence intensive care units in future. A Delphi study.
OBJECTIVE
To find out and analyse the events which are expected to influence the future of Intensive Care Units (ICU).


METHODS
Three round Delphi study.


METHODS
In a first preparation round 9 events were defined. In the two rating rounds an international panel of 60 experts heads of ICUs) estimated the time when the events may come true and whether they are desired or not.


RESULTS
Computer tools are desired and expected in the near future (before the year 2000) for audit, quality assurance, record keeping and telecommunication; complex closed loops and nursing robots will not be used in clinical routine before 2005, they are not desired.
Friesdorf
W
W
Institute for Ergonomics and Man-Machine-Systems, Technical University of Berlin, Germany. wolfgang.friesdorf@ifa.kf.tu-berlin.de
Classen
B
B
Konichezky
S
S
Schwilk
B
B
D003697:Delphi Technique; D005544:Forecasting / Q000379:methods*; D006285:Health Planning; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000639:trends*; D007391:International Cooperation; D013677:Medical Laboratory Science / Q000639:trends; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care