Impact of fast-track discharge from cardiothoracic intensive care on family satisfaction

Abstract

BackgroundDissatisfaction with the intensive care unit may threaten medical care. Clarifying treatment preferences can be useful in these settings, where physician direction may influence decision making and therefore medical treatment. This study aimed to evaluate whether fast-track discharge from intensive care units affects the satisfaction of family members.MethodsWe used a single-center non-randomized trial, with all eligible family members involved. To evaluate family satisfaction, we used the Society of Critical Care Family Needs Assessment questionnaire (SCCMFNAQ). We hypothesized that those discharged within 24 h of intensive care unit admission and their families would have higher levels of satisfaction. Patients were scored using the therapeutic interventions scoring system (TISS) and additive EuroSCORE.ResultsTwo-hundred fifty-five family members were enrolled. The mean patient age was 53 years, and 92 % were male. The median satisfaction level among family members was 17.9 (range 14–31). Patients were divided into two groups, one receiving fast-track discharge (116 patients), and one whose members stayed longer (139 patients). The overall satisfaction was affected significantly by quality of the delivered care and dissatisfaction increased by lack of comfort in hospital settings, including the waiting room. No significant differences were seen between the two groups for overall satisfaction (p = 0.546) and individual components of the questionnaire. Higher satisfaction was linked to higher levels of education among family members (p = 0.045) and information being relayed by a senior physician p = 0.03 (two-tailed test).ConclusionsFast-track discharge from intensive care did not influence family satisfaction as hypothesized. Satisfaction relied on family members’ level of education and the level of seniority of the physician relaying information.

Association between psychosocial factors and satisfaction with communication in family members of intensive care unit patients during COVID-19 pandemic: An exploratory cross-sectional study

“…First, the attending ICU physicians on the unit where the study was conducted had extensive ICU experience. Higher family satisfaction has been associated with information delivered by an experienced physician ( Damghi et al, 2008 , Omar et al, 2015 ), a multidimensional construct that includes communication with ICU staff as a core attribute ( Padilla Fortunatti et al, 2021 ).…”

Family Experience during Patient Assistance Process in General Intensive Care Unit: A Phenomenology Study

“…They said sicker than the patient, and good communication may be a medication (psychological healer) for the family. Good and organized communication creates a happy feeling [34] and improved family involvement in decision making [35]. Good attitude and communication from nurse, made family calm and comfort even there was a bad news about patient.…”

Perceptions of family on hospital in icu and reception of nursing / Percepções de familiares sobre hospitalização em uti e acolhimento de enfermagem / Percepciones de familia en el hospital en uci y recepción de enfermería

“…Finalmente, a percepção das famílias pode ser mais negativa quando a informação é fornecida por profissionais que não preenchem tampouco reconhecem as lacunas de afeto, o que potencializa a afinidade com a equipe de enfermagem (20) .…”