Measuring Outcomes of an Intensive Care Unit Family Diary Program

Abstract

Patients discharged from intensive care units are at risk of short- and long-term physical, cognitive, and emotional symptoms known as post-intensive care syndrome. Family members of intensive care unit patients are at risk of similar symptoms known as post-intensive care syndrome-family. Both syndromes are common, and strategies to reduce risk factors should be employed. An intensive care unit diary project to help reduce these syndromes was implemented in 2 intensive care units using an evidence-based framework. The effects of these diaries were studied using the Family Satisfaction with Care in the Intensive Care Unit survey. Rates of referrals to a postintensive care unit recovery clinic were also observed in relation to the diaries. Although preliminary data did not reveal a significant increase in family satisfaction, the surveys provided important staff feedback. The diaries fostered feelings of compassion and caring as well as built trust between staff and family members of intensive care unit patients. The diaries increased referrals to the postintensive care unit recovery clinic.

The evidence base of nurse-led family interventions for improving family outcomes in adult critical care settings: A mixed method systematic review

“… Quasi-experimental posttest design Staff ( n = 20), family specifically parents ( n = 14) Booklet entitled A Visit to the ICU Delivery: a staff nurse with experience in pediatric visitation in the ICU undertook the intervention program Measure : a 5-point Likert scale and 5-question study-specific tool for parental evaluation of the book. Main results : the book eased fears among children and facilitated coping mechanisms: helpful in preparing children (score = 4.8/5 points); eased parents fears (score =4.5/5); answered our questions (score =4.7); more comfortable bringing child to visit (score =4.6/5); child seemed more prepared (score =4.7/5) 4 out of 9 (Low quality; ≤5) Huynh et al. (2017) , USA Measuring outcomes of an intensive care unit family diary program.…”

“…The present review included a total of 15 studies ( Table 2 ), with 10 of these being quantitative ( Bishop et al., 2013 ; Hanley and Piazza, 2012 ; Huynh et al., 2017 ; Knapp et al., 2012; Jacobowski et al., 2020; Rodriguez-Huerta et al., 2019 ; Shelton et al., 2010 ; Weber et al., 2019; White et al., 2018 ; Wu et al., 2016 ), four qualitative ( Frisman et al., 2018 ; Johansson et al., 2018 ; Naef et al., 2020 ; Nielsen et al., 2019 ) and one mixed method study ( White et al., 2012 ).…”

“…The quasi-experimental design was the most common design ( n = 9) ( Bishop et al., 2013 ; Hanley and Piazza, 2012 ; Huynh et al., 2017 ; ( Knapp et al., 2013 ); Jacobowski et al., 2010 ; Shelton et al., 2010 ; Weber et al., 2018 ; White et al., 2012 ; Wu et al., 2016 ). Among the nine quasi-experimental studies, three studies ( Bishop et al., 2013 ; Huynh et al., 2017 ; Wu et al., 2016 ) used the before and after approach. A further two studies ( Rodriguez-Huerta et al., 2019 ; White et al., 2018 ) were randomized controlled trials.…”

Report on the Third International Intensive Care Unit Diary Conference

“…22 To reduce these risks, rehabilitation bundles should incorporate family-centered care, including promotion of relatives' sleep hygiene, open visitation policies, family involvement in rounds, informational brochures, and ICU diaries. 13…”

“…In recent years, clinicians from North America have shown an interest in ICU diaries and conducted implementation studies. 13 To support this interest and to increase knowledge and motivation, an international group of ICU diarists decided to hold their conference in the United States. The diary conference, held on November 1, 2018, was a 1-day preconference to the Seventh Annual Johns Hopkins Critical Care Rehabilitation Conference.…”