Implementation of the ABCDEF Bundle in the Intensive Care Unit
Advisor(s)
Dr. Kami Fox, Dr. Hunsicker
Confirmation
1
Document Type
Poster
Location
ONU McIntosh Center; Activities Room
Start Date
11-4-2025 11:00 AM
End Date
11-4-2025 11:50 AM
Abstract
Problem: Prolonged mechanically ventilated patients have increased rates of delirium, muscle atrophy, respiratory depression, and prolonged ICU stay. Studies have shown that patients who are removed from the ventilator, when medically stable, have decreased delirium, muscle atrophy, respiratory depression, and prolonged ICU stay. The ABCDEF bundle may be used as a method to decrease the number of ventilator days, which will improve the quality of the patient's hospital stay.
Purpose: The purpose of this project is to determine if using the ABCDEF bundle in critical care settings would improve patient outcomes, and decreases ventilation time, over-sedation, delirium, and muscle atrophy.
Methods: The study design will be a pre/post intervention retrospective chart review, in a 10 bed CVICU over a span of six months. Nurses will receive training on the ABCDEF bundle prior to implementation. Compliance will be monitored by nurse managers to ensure the bundle is being used appropriatley. Progress of the patient's care will be viewed in the chart through pain assessments, spontaneous breathing trials, medication administration, a confusion assessment, ICU mobility scale, and monitor who is accompanying the patient at the bedside.
Conclusion: The ABCDEF bundle will improve client experience. Studies have shown the use of the ABCDEF bundle improved likelihood of survival, decreased days in coma, promoted lighter sedation, decreased incidences of delirium, decreased physical restraint use, decreased ventilator time, decreased the incidence of ICU readmission. Health systems should adopt the ABCDEF bundle in order to improve outcomes and reduce costs related to mechanically ventilated patients.
Recommended Citation
Kennedy, Joseph P., "Implementation of the ABCDEF Bundle in the Intensive Care Unit" (2025). ONU Student Research Colloquium. 38.
https://digitalcommons.onu.edu/student_research_colloquium/2025/Posters/38
Open Access
Available to all.
Implementation of the ABCDEF Bundle in the Intensive Care Unit
ONU McIntosh Center; Activities Room
Problem: Prolonged mechanically ventilated patients have increased rates of delirium, muscle atrophy, respiratory depression, and prolonged ICU stay. Studies have shown that patients who are removed from the ventilator, when medically stable, have decreased delirium, muscle atrophy, respiratory depression, and prolonged ICU stay. The ABCDEF bundle may be used as a method to decrease the number of ventilator days, which will improve the quality of the patient's hospital stay.
Purpose: The purpose of this project is to determine if using the ABCDEF bundle in critical care settings would improve patient outcomes, and decreases ventilation time, over-sedation, delirium, and muscle atrophy.
Methods: The study design will be a pre/post intervention retrospective chart review, in a 10 bed CVICU over a span of six months. Nurses will receive training on the ABCDEF bundle prior to implementation. Compliance will be monitored by nurse managers to ensure the bundle is being used appropriatley. Progress of the patient's care will be viewed in the chart through pain assessments, spontaneous breathing trials, medication administration, a confusion assessment, ICU mobility scale, and monitor who is accompanying the patient at the bedside.
Conclusion: The ABCDEF bundle will improve client experience. Studies have shown the use of the ABCDEF bundle improved likelihood of survival, decreased days in coma, promoted lighter sedation, decreased incidences of delirium, decreased physical restraint use, decreased ventilator time, decreased the incidence of ICU readmission. Health systems should adopt the ABCDEF bundle in order to improve outcomes and reduce costs related to mechanically ventilated patients.