ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To test a framework based on a proposition of the Roy Adaptation Model predicting the relationships of severity of illness, perceived control over visitation (PCV), hardiness, state anxiety, and length of stay in an intensive care unit (ICU). DESIGN: Descriptive-correlational. POPULATION, SAMPLE, SETTING: Convenience sample was 60 general medical-surgical ICU patients admitted to one regional medical center in the Southeastern U.S.A. Patients completed data collection instruments after a minimum of 20 hours in the ICU during January-March 1994. METHODS: Instruments included the PCV Scale, the State Anxiety Inventory, the Health Related Hardiness Scale, and the Acute Physiologic and Chronic Health Evaluation II. Model testing and path analysis were done. FINDINGS: The study variables explained 18% of the variance in length of stay in the ICU, with anxiety and hardiness being the major contributing variables. The path between hardiness and PCV was the only path in the model supported by the data. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed model had inadequate support in this preliminary testing. However, interventions that increase a patient's feelings of control and hardiness could decrease length of stay in ICU's.
Subject(s)
Adaptation, Psychological , Critical Care/psychology , Models, Nursing , APACHE , Analysis of Variance , Anxiety/psychology , Humans , Internal-External Control , Length of Stay , Nursing Evaluation Research , Personality , Predictive Value of Tests , Regression Analysis , Severity of Illness Index , Visitors to PatientsABSTRACT
This study explored whether a combination of independent variables predicts the development of severe complications after sheath removal following percutaneous coronary interventional procedures. The findings indicate it is possible to predict which patients undergoing percutaneous coronary interventional procedures might develop complications following sheath removal. This knowledge of patients at risk should help improve care.
Subject(s)
Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary , Angioplasty, Balloon, Laser-Assisted , Postoperative Complications , Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Predictive Value of TestsABSTRACT
The belief that visitation restrictions in the ICU are for the patient's good is not fully supported by research. However, there are no firm conclusions regarding how visitation decisions should be made. This paper suggests that decisional control over visitation be given to the patient and that, with the nurse functioning as a patient advocate, individualization of visitation be practiced. It is up to nursing to institute changes in visitation of the critical care patient.
