on April 22, 2025
The Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is the department in the Hopital where the most physically ill patients end up, and it is anything but comfortable. Patients are often on ventilators, with drips, medication, and are constantly disturbed by checks and alarms. The day and night rhythm is often disrupted, and it is an environment that can be both physically and mentally demanding.
We spoke with Bram Tilburgs, ICU nurse, postdoc researcher, who has been working at Radboudumc for 20 years. He is also a member of the committee for Appropriate Care (Integrated Care Agreement). Bram's mission? Stimulating person-centered care in the ICU. In this blog, he explains how he and his team do their best every day to make care as good and comfortable as possible, completely tailored to the patient's wishes. And how innovation can help with this - provided you start with a good implementation plan.
Appropriate care: how far do you go in treatment?
In the ICU we can do a lot to treat patients, but the question is: how far do you go? In the Netherlands, this question is increasingly asked. Bram emphasizes how important it is to provide care that is not only medically appropriate, but also meets the expectations and needs of the patient. It is not only about the treatments you perform, but also about the quality of life after the ICU admission.
Person-centered care is also essential in the ICU.
Treatment should not only focus on the patient's recovery, but also on the quality of life after admission. Bram gives an example: patients who have suffered neurological damage due to trauma. Initially, ventilation is used, but if the patient remains dependent on care for a long time and has indicated in advance that he or she would never want that, it is important to respect that wish.
The role of nurses is crucial in this. They are the link between the patient and the medical staff. They translate the patient's wishes into treatment options and ensure that the patient's context is included in the decisions about the treatment.
Providing comfort in an uncomfortable department
The ICU is a busy and restless department. Patients often have difficulty with the day and night rhythm due to the continuous checks, medication and treatments that continue 24 hours a day. This makes it an intense experience for the patient. In addition to the care for the patient, there is often a lot of unrest among family members.
Nurses play an important role here. Their job is to alleviate the patient's discomfort as much as possible. This can be done by, for example, helping patients out of bed early, sitting them up, communicating well with them even if they are unable to speak, and something as simple as introducing yourself when you enter the room. In addition, innovative aids, such as the Qwiek.up , also help. These project soothing images on the ceiling, which provides instant comfort.
'If you want to implement new ideas or technologies in healthcare, you need to make sure that staff are behind it and understand how the changes will improve patient care.'
Implementing innovation with a clear plan
Innovation can improve care in the ICU, but implementing new practices or technologies is not as simple as saying: "It's better for the patient, so do it." Bram emphasizes that a good implementation plan is essential. If you want to implement new ideas or technologies in healthcare, you have to make sure that the staff is behind it and understands how the changes will improve care for the patient. Listen to the full episode on our Spotify channel or Youtube.
Would you like to know more about Bram's vision on person-centered care? Then listen to the full episode of our conversation with him on our Spotify channel. Do you have any questions or would you like to join the conversation about this topic? Send us your thoughts via podcast@qwiek.eu
