ObjectiveTo assess family satisfaction with intensive care units (ICUs) in the UK using the Family Satisfaction in the Intensive Care Unit 24-item (FS-ICU-24) questionnaire, and to investigate how characteristics of patients and their family members impact on family satisfaction.DesignProspective cohort study nested within a national clinical audit database.SettingStratified, random sample of 20 adult general ICUs participating in the Intensive Care National Audit & Research Centre Case Mix Programme.ParticipantsFamily members of patients staying at least 24 hours in ICU were recruited between May 2013 and June 2014.InterventionsConsenting family members were sent a postal questionnaire 3 weeks after the patient died or was discharged from ICU. Up to four family members were recruited per patient.Main outcome measuresFamily satisfaction was measured using the FS-ICU-24 questionnaire.Main resultsA total of 12 346 family members of 6380 patients were recruited and 7173 (58%) family members of 4615 patients returned a completed questionnaire. Overall and domain-specific family satisfaction scores were high (mean overall family satisfaction 80, satisfaction with care 83, satisfaction with information 76 and satisfaction with decision-making 73 out of 100) but varied significantly across adult general ICUs studied and by whether the patient survived ICU. For family members of ICU survivors, characteristics of both the family member (age, ethnicity, relationship to patient (next-of-kin and/or lived with patient) and visit frequency) and the patient (acute severity of illness and receipt of invasive mechanical ventilation) were significant determinants of family satisfaction, whereas, for family members of ICU non-survivors, only patient characteristics (age, acute severity of illness and duration of stay) were significant.ConclusionsOverall family satisfaction in UK adult general ICUs was high but varied significantly. Adjustment for differences in family member/patient characteristics is important to avoid falsely identifying ICUs as statistical outliers.Trial registration numberISRCTN47363549

BackgroundTo improve care it is necessary to feed back experiences of those receiving care. Of patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs), approximately one-quarter die, and few survivors recollect their experiences, so family members have a vital role. The most widely validated tool to seek their views is the Family Satisfaction in the Intensive Care Unit questionnaire (FS-ICU).ObjectivesTo test face and content validity and comprehensibility of the FS-ICU (phase 1). To establish internal consistency, construct validity and reliability of the FS-ICU; to describe family satisfaction and explore how it varies by family member, patient, unit/hospital and other contextual factors and by country; and to model approaches to sampling for future use in quality improvement (phase 2).DesignMixed methods: qualitative study (phase 1) and cohort study (phase 2).SettingNHS ICUs (n = 2, phase 1;n = 20, phase 2).ParticipantsHealth-care professionals, ex-patients, family members of ICU patients (n = 41, phase 1). Family members of ICU patients (n = 12,303, phase 2).InterventionsNone.Main outcome measuresKey themes regarding each item of the 24-item FS-ICU (FS-ICU-24) (phase 1). Overall family satisfaction and domain scores of the FS-ICU-24 (phase 2).ResultsIn phase 1, face validity, content validity and comprehensibility were good. Adaptation to the UK required only minor edits. In phase 2, one to four family members were recruited for 60.6% of 10,530 patients (staying in ICU for 24 hours or more). Of 12,303 family members, 7173 (58.3%) completed the questionnaire. Psychometric assessment of the questionnaire established high internal consistency and criterion validity. Exploratory factor analysis indicated new domains:satisfaction with care,satisfaction with informationandsatisfaction with the decision-making process. All scores were high with skewed distributions towards more positive scores. For family members of ICU survivors, factors associated with increased/decreased satisfaction were age, ethnicity, relationship to patient, and visit frequency, and patient factors were acute severity of illness and invasive ventilation. For family members of ICU non-survivors, average satisfaction was higher but no family member factors were associated with increased/decreased satisfaction; patient factors were age, acute severity of illness and duration of stay. Neither ICU/hospital factors nor seasonality were associated. Funnel plots confirmed significant variation in family satisfaction across ICUs. Adjusting for family member and patient characteristics reduced variation, resulting in fewer ICUs identified as potential outliers. Simulations suggested that family satisfaction surveys using short recruitment windows can produce relatively unbiased estimates of average family satisfaction.ConclusionsThe Family-Reported Experiences Evaluation study has provided a UK-adapted, psychometrically valid questionnaire for overall family satisfaction and three domains. The large sample size allowed for robust multilevel multivariable modelling of factors associated with family satisfaction to inform important adjustment of any future evaluation.LimitationsResponses to three free-text questions indicate the questionnaire may not be sensitive to all aspects of family satisfaction.Future workReservations remain about the current questionnaire. While formal analysis of the free-text questions did not form part of this proposal, brief analysis suggested considerable scope for improvement of the FS-ICU-24.Study registrationCurrent Controlled Trials ISRCTN47363549.Funding detailsThe National Institute for Health Research Health Services and Delivery Research programme.

Objectives. This study examines the short- and long-term QOL benefits of a music therapy intervention for patients recovering from hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Methods. Ninety allogeneic HSCT patients, after transplant, were randomized to receive ISO-principle (i.e., mood matching) based music therapy (MT; n = 29), unstructured music (UM; n = 30), or usual care (UC; n = 31) for four weeks. The ISO principle posits that patients may shift their mood from one state to another by listening to music that is “equal to” the individual's initial mood state and subsequently listening to music selections that gradually shift in tempo and mood to match the patient's desired disposition. Participants in MT and UM groups developed two audio CDs to help them feel more relaxed and energized and were instructed to use the CDs to improve their mood as needed. Short-term effects on mood and long-term effects on QOL were examined. Results. MT and UM participants reported improved mood immediately after listening to CDs; the within-group effect was greater for UM participants compared to MT participants. Participant group was not associated with long-term QOL outcomes. Conclusions. Music listening improves mood acutely but was not associated with long-term benefits in this study.

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Background music in patient care areas was preferred to ordinary sound by patients, caregivers and providers. Demographics of the population are strong determinants of music style preferences.