Pediatric intensive care: result of a European survey.
OBJECTIVE
To assess and compare the structure, organisation, management, and staffing in different paediatric intensive care units (PICUs) in Europe.


METHODS
Descriptive study.


METHODS
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.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
Physicians from 92 European PICUs.


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.
Nipshagen
Martine D
MD
Paediatric Intensive Care Unit, Vrije Universiteit Medical center, PO Box 7057, 1007 MB, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Polderman
Kees H
KH
DeVictor
Dennis
D
Gemke
Reinoud J B J
RJ
D005060:Europe; D006801:Humans; D015278:Intensive Care Units, Pediatric / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010561:Personnel Staffing and Scheduling; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D000078329:Workforce