Getting better or getting by?: A qualitative study of in-hospital cardiac arrest survivors long-term recovery experiences

Harrod, Molly; Kamphuis, Lee A.; Hauschildt, Katrina; Seigworth, Claire; Korpela, Peggy R.; Rouse, Marylena; Vincent, Brenda M.; Nallamothu, Brahmajee K.; Iwashyna, Theodore J.

doi:10.1016/j.ssmqr.2021.100002

Cited by 16 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 36 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Family members prioritized information-based interventions to alleviate uncertainty and psychological distress, which in turn could potentially improve sleep health. This finding confirms the themes from a qualitative study on in-hospital cardiac arrest, 38 a National Institute of Health funded workshop, 39 and our previous work 30 Another study found that 58% of family members of critically ill patients experienced moderate to severe sleep disturbances during hospitalization, with more information about their loved one's health being the most common suggested remedy to improve their sleep. 4 Additionally, resourceful family members reported lower levels of depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbances.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 85%

Disruptions in Sleep Health and Independent Associations with Psychological Distress in Close Family Members of Cardiac Arrest Survivors: A Prospective Study

Tincher,

Rojas,

Abukhadra

et al. 2024

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

BackgroundWhile recent guidelines have noted the deleterious effects of poor sleep on cardiovascular health, the upstream impact of cardiac arrest-induced psychological distress on sleep health metrics among families of cardiac arrest survivors remains unknown.MethodsSleep health of close family members of consecutive cardiac arrest patients admitted at an academic center (8/16/2021 - 6/28/2023) was self-reported on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scale. The baseline PSQI administered during hospitalization was cued to sleep in the month before cardiac arrest. It was then repeated one month after cardiac arrest, along with the Patient Health Questionnaire-8 (PHQ-8) to assess depression severity. Multivariable linear regressions estimated the associations of one-month total PHQ-8 scores with changes in global PSQI scores between baseline and one month with higher scores indicating deteriorations. A prioritization exercise of potential interventions categorized into family’s information and well-being needs to alleviate psychological distress was conducted at one month.ResultsIn our sample of 102 close family members (mean age 52±15 years, 70% female, 21% Black, 33% Hispanic), mean global PSQI scores showed a significant decline between baseline and one month after cardiac arrest (6.2±3.8 vs. 7.4±4.1; p<0.01). This deterioration was notable for sleep quality, duration, and daytime dysfunction components. Higher PHQ-8 scores were significantly associated with higher change in PSQI scores, after adjusting for family members’ age, sex, race/ethnicity, and patient’s discharge disposition [β=0.4 (95% C.I 0.24, 0.48); p<0.01]. Most (n=72, 76%) prioritized interventions supporting information over well-being needs to reduce psychological distress after cardiac arrest.ConclusionsThere was a significant decline in sleep health among close family members of cardiac arrest survivors in the acute phase following the event. Psychological distress was associated with this sleep disruption. Further investigation into their temporal associations is needed to develop targeted interventions to support families during this period of uncertainty.WHAT IS KNOWNSleep health has been identified as a key element in maintaining cardiovascular health.Close family members of critically ill patients experience suboptimal sleep health and psychological distress may contribute to it.WHAT THE STUDY ADDSIt is breaking new ground in understanding the sleep health dynamics of close family members of cardiac arrest survivors, a critical but often overlooked group of caregivers.The study highlights significant associations between psychological distress and poor sleep that further deteriorates within the first month after a loved one’s cardiac arrest.Families of cardiac arrest survivors expressed a high priority for information-based interventions to help alleviate psychological distress during the initial month following the cardiac event emphasizing the need for targeted, accessible, resources to address their psychological and potentially sleep-related challenges.

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 85%

Disruptions in Sleep Health and Independent Associations with Psychological Distress in Close Family Members of Cardiac Arrest Survivors: A Prospective Study

Tincher,

Rojas,

Abukhadra

et al. 2024

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Many of these symptoms have been reported previously and appear to become chronic problems after arrest. 1 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 Our findings contribute to this literature by suggesting reasons for the lack of preparedness to confront these challenges (ie, lack of resources, education, and appropriate expectations).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 49%

“…Up to this point, survivors have needed to develop their own strategies for adaptation. 16 Going forward, behavioral health providers can draw from these recommendations and work with survivors to identify what works best for them.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Qualitative Study of Long‐Term Cardiac Arrest Survivors’ Challenges and Recommendations for Improving Survivorship

Presciutti

Siry-Bove

Newman³

et al. 2022

JAHA

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background Cardiac arrest survivorship refers to the lived experience of long‐term survivors of cardiac arrest and the many postdischarge challenges they experience. We aimed to gather a nuanced understanding of these challenges and of survivors' perceptions of ways to improve the recovery process. Methods and Results We conducted 15 semistructured, one‐on‐one interviews with cardiac arrest survivor members of the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation; the interviews were conducted by telephone and recorded and transcribed verbatim. We used thematic analysis, informed by the Framework Method, to identify underlying themes regarding cardiac arrest survivorship challenges and recommendations to improve cardiac arrest survivorship. Regarding challenges, the overarching theme was a feeling of unpreparedness to confront postarrest challenges because of lack of resources, education, and appropriate expectations for recovery. Regarding recommendations, we uncovered 3 overarching themes including systemic recommendations (eg, providing appropriate resources and expectations, educating providers about survivorship, following up with survivors, including caregivers in treatment planning), social recommendations (eg, attending peer support groups, spending time with loved ones, providing support resources for family members), and individual coping recommendations (eg, acceptance, resilience, regaining control, seeking treatment, focusing on meaning and purpose). Conclusions We described common challenges that survivors of cardiac arrest face, such as lacking resources, education, and appropriate expectations for recovery. Additionally, we identified promising pathways that may improve cardiac arrest survivorship at systemic, social, and individual coping levels. Future studies could use our findings as targets for interventions to support and improve survivorship.

show abstract

“…Therefore, survivors need tailored rehabilitation and recovery plans based on what is important to them. 104 Comprehensive discharge plans should encompass physical, cognitive, psychological, and social goals beyond those specifically related to IHCA. 105 Connection with other survivors through established social networks can facilitate peer-to-peer interactions with others who share a similar life experience.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ten Steps Toward Improving In-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Quality of Care and Outcomes

Nallamothu,

Greif,

Anderson

et al. 2023

Circ: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Getting better or getting by?: A qualitative study of in-hospital cardiac arrest survivors long-term recovery experiences

Cited by 16 publications

References 36 publications

Disruptions in Sleep Health and Independent Associations with Psychological Distress in Close Family Members of Cardiac Arrest Survivors: A Prospective Study

Disruptions in Sleep Health and Independent Associations with Psychological Distress in Close Family Members of Cardiac Arrest Survivors: A Prospective Study

Qualitative Study of Long‐Term Cardiac Arrest Survivors’ Challenges and Recommendations for Improving Survivorship

Ten Steps Toward Improving In-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Quality of Care and Outcomes

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About