Agitation in ICU patients can be challenging and stressful for staff and patients alike. It can disrupt care, cause emotional tension, and pose risks to safety of patients and staff. Current guidelines encourage less restrictive practices as first-line measures, with more restrictive agitation management techniques such as mechanical restraint and pharmacological sedation, seen as second or third-line options.
De-escalation is one commonly suggested first-line measure. De-escalation involves a range of verbal and non-verbal (e.g. body language) techniques to calm agitation. However, despite being a common recommendation, there is very limited research on de-escalation in the ICU setting,
We are seeking ICU nurses to participate in a 30 – 60 minute online interview about their experiences and beliefs around de-escalation in the ICU. We aim to explore how de-escalation is currently practiced in Australian ICUs and how staff feel about its use in practice. We hope this study will generate insights that can inform future methods and support staff in managing agitation more effectively.
To participate in the study, you must simply:
• have at least 12 months experience working in an ICU, and
• have had experience using de-escalation techniques to manage patient agitation.
If you are interested in participating in this study, please send an email to Layne Bailey bail0380@flinders.edu.au to find out more information and get in touch with the research team.
Thank you for your time and consideration of this study.
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Ethics Approval Number: 9819
Closing Date: 31 August 2026