Patient safety in adult Intensive Care Units (ICUs) is a global priority, yet research evaluating safety interventions is hindered by wide variation in outcomes and measurement approaches. This limits comparability between studies, weakens evidence synthesis, and slows translation into practice.
The CROSS-ICU PhD project aims to develop the first internationally agreed Core Outcome Set (COS) and corresponding core outcome measurement instruments specifically for patient safety interventions in adult ICUs.
Using established COMET and COSMIN methodologies, the project will combine:
(1) a systematic review of reported outcomes;
(2) qualitative consultation with international stakeholders, including clinicians, patients, families, and policymakers;
(3) a multi-round Delphi consensus process; and
(4) formal appraisal of outcome measurement instruments.
The work is embedded within the COST Action Safe ICU network, ensuring broad international engagement and rapid dissemination.
The final outputs will provide a stakeholder-endorsed framework for outcome selection and measurement in ICU patient safety research. By standardising what is measured—and how—it will strengthen the quality and comparability of future studies, support evidence-based decision making, and contribute to safer, more reliable care for critically ill patients worldwide.
Professor Jos Latour
Professor Natalie L McEvoy
Associate Professor Marie O. Collet
Disease Category: Anaesthesia & pain control
Disease Name: Critical illness
Age Range: 18 - 120
Sex: Either
Nature of Intervention: Intensive care
- Clinical experts
- Consumers (patients)
- Families
- Policy makers
- Researchers
- COS for clinical trials or clinical research
- COS for practice
- Consensus conference
- Consensus meeting
- Delphi process
- Literature review
(1) a systematic review of reported outcomes;
(2) qualitative consultation with international stakeholders, including clinicians, patients, families, and policymakers;
(3) a multi-round Delphi consensus process; and
(4) formal appraisal of outcome measurement instruments.