BackgroundFamily members of critically ill patients often experience anxiety when their relatives are transferred from ICU to another level of care. ICU liaison nurse (ICULN) visits have been associated with improved support for patients, their families and nursing staff but has not been extensively studied in the non‐English speaking setting. Yet, cross‐country variations such as how hospital care is delivered and by who means that innovations such as the ICULN may not be able to be simply transferred to other contexts and may not have similar outcomes.AimThe aim of this study was to investigate family member's experiences with and evaluation of ICULN support service in one Swedish ICU.Study DesignA qualitative evaluation study was undertaken, recruiting family members of former ICU patients. Audio‐taped in‐depth interviews were conducted. Data were analysed by content analysis.FindingsFifteen family members were interviewed. Two categories: Minds the gap between intensive care and the next care level and providing stability in an uncertain situation were identified. The ICULN supported the family members both directly, when the ICULNs listened to their questions and met their needs, and indirectly, when the ICULNs took responsibility for the patients and their physical and psychological conditions and wellbeing.ConclusionFamilies valued and were satisfied with the ICULN service but also gave suggestions to improve the service in this particular hospital context.Relevance to Clinical PracticeThe study showed that an ICULN support service met several needs of family members and therefore was a beneficial way to support patients and family members in the transition from the ICU to the ward.
in a new model of nursing care involving the addition of two new supportive nursing roles. Objectives/Aims: To explore nurses' perceptions and experiences of the working environment and patient care 12 months following the introduction of the new model of nursing care in the DCN ICU. Methods: A prospective cross-sectional survey of nurses working in the new DCN ICU was undertaken. Years of ICU experience were collected, and perceptions and experiences of the working environment and patient care were measured using a 56-item questionnaire. Quantitative and qualitative data were analysed using SPSS v25 and a framework approach. Oneway ANOVA was undertaken to investigate the differences in outcomes between nurses' years of ICU experience. Results: One hundred and twenty-eight nurses completed the survey (response rate 60%). The mean number of years of ICU experience was 6.2 ± 5.3 years. The mean scores for: job satisfaction, continuity of patient care, quality of patient care, social cohesion, and team work were 3.02, 2.60, 3.48, 2.68, 2.78 respectively (maximum obtainable score 5). Seventy-two percent of respondents were satisfied with their job and 80% rated the workload as acceptable. Nurses with 1 year of ICU experience reported significantly higher continuity of care. Nurses with 3 years of experience reported higher overall quality of patient care. The two new supportive nursing roles were effective. Qualitative analysis supported the quantitative results with nurses reporting some elements that required improvement. Conclusion: Whilst nurses reported satisfaction with elements of the new model, the decentralised ICU negatively impacted teamwork and social cohesion which had implications for quality and continuity of patient care.
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