CAM Tool for ICU Delirium Detection: A PICOT Study
This paper presents a clinical research proposal investigating whether the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM), a validated delirium screening instrument, improves delirium detection among adult ICU patients compared to multicomponent interventions. Framed as a PICOT question, the study outlines an experimental design in which participants are randomly assigned to CAM-based or multicomponent intervention groups, each assessed three times daily. Outcomes are evaluated using descriptive statistics and multivariate analysis, with delirium incidence determined via CAM-ICU or ICDSC screening, observational data, and electronic health records. The paper also details expected outcomes and the potential clinical implications for patient care in intensive care settings.
- Clinical Question: PICOT question framing the study's focus
- Intervention to Be Implemented: CAM as the validated screening tool
- Outcomes to Be Analyzed: Experimental design and group comparison methods
- Data Collection and Statistical Analysis: Descriptive and multivariate analysis approach
- Expected Outcomes: CAM expected to outperform multicomponent interventions
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What makes this paper effective
- The paper uses the PICOT framework precisely, clearly identifying the population, intervention, comparison, outcome, and timeline in a single focused research question.
- The experimental design is described with enough methodological detail — including randomization, group assignment, and assessment frequency — to make the study plan replicable.
- The paper connects the intervention directly to patient care goals, grounding the clinical question in real-world ICU practice.
Key academic technique demonstrated
The paper demonstrates evidence-based practice proposal writing by building from a structured clinical question (PICOT) to a clearly defined intervention, measurable outcomes, and an appropriate analytical plan. The use of both descriptive statistics and multivariate analysis shows awareness of different data needs in clinical research.
Structure breakdown
The paper is organized into five short sections that mirror the stages of a clinical research proposal: the guiding question, the chosen intervention, outcome measurement procedures, statistical methods, and projected findings. Each section is concise and purposeful, making it a useful model for undergraduate nursing or health sciences students drafting their first evidence-based practice proposals.
Clinical Question
The PICOT question to be evaluated in this study is: "Does the use of a validated delirium assessment instrument (intervention) improve delirium detection (outcome) among adults in the ICU (population) as compared to multicomponent interventions (comparison) within a 6-month period (timeline)?"
Intervention to Be Implemented
The intervention to be implemented in this study is the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM), a validated delirium screening instrument. CAM will be utilized to examine how it improves the detection of ICU delirium among adults in intensive care units compared to multicomponent interventions.
References
Ista, E., et al. (2014, October 2). Improvement of care for ICU patients with delirium by early screening and treatment: Study protocol of iDECePTIvE study. Implementation Science, 9, 143. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4192432/
Research Connections. (2016). Experiments and quasi-experiments. Retrieved May 19, 2017, from
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