Factibilidad de implementación del diario como herramienta de humanización en una unidad de cuidados intensivos / Feasibility of the implementation of the diary as a humanization tool at an Intensive Care Unit

Objetivo: valorar la factibilidad de implementar el diario como herramienta de humanización en una unidad de cuidados intensivos (UCI) médica de Cataluña sin experiencia previa, en términos de acogida, satisfacción y continuidad de la medida por los profesionales de Enfermería, pacientes y familiares.Método: estudio piloto realizado durante 15 semanas con pacientes ingresados >72 horas en la UCI, sedados y con ventilación mecánica invasiva ≥ 48 horas. Se llevaron a cabo tres fases: 1) Formación a los profesionales de Enfermería, 2) Implementación del diario, y 3) Evaluación de la percepción de la herramienta por parte de los tres grupos con cuestionarios anónimos creados ad hoc.Resultados: se diseñó un diario en papel y se impartieron a los profesionales de Enfermería siete sesiones formativas previas. Se escribieron ocho diarios (uno por paciente) y en seis se insertaron fotografías. Se entregaron cuestionarios a 35 enfermeras, nueve familiares y seis pacientes. Un 83% de las enfermeras consideró que el diario se podría implementar en un futuro, a un 83% de pacientes les gustó leer un diario sobre el día a día de su estancia y a un 89% de los familiares les ayudó a expresar sus pensamientos y emociones. Un 40% de las enfermeras consideró que las fotografías podían resultar traumáticas para el paciente, mientras que a la mayoría de los familiares y pacientes no les pareció así.Conclusiones: este estudio piloto concluye que resulta factible implantar el diario en la UCI. Todos los participantes consideraron que es una herramienta que humaniza los cuidados, mejora la comunicación, la comprensión y la información. (AU)

Objective: to assess the feasibility of implementing the diary as a humanization tool at a clinical Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in Catalonia, without previous experience, in terms of acceptance, satisfaction and continuity of the measure by Nursing professionals, patients and relatives.Method: a pilot study conducted during 15 weeks with patients hospitalized >72 hours at the ICU, under sedation and with invasive mechanical ventilation for ≥ 48 hours. There were three stages: 1) Training for Nursing staff, 2) Implementation of the diary, and 3) Evaluation of the perception of the tool by the three groups, with anonymous questionnaires designed ad hoc.Results: a printed diary was designed, and Nursing professionals received seven training sessions previously. Eight diaries were written (one per patient), and photographs were inserted in six of them. Questionnaires were handed out to 35 nurses, nine relatives and six patients. 83% of the nurses considered that the diary could be implemented in the future, 83% of patients enjoyed reading a diary about the day to day of their hospital stay, and it helped 89% of relatives to express their thoughts and emotions. 40% of nurses considered that photographs could be upsetting for patients, while the majority of relatives and patients thought otherwise.Conclusions: the conclusion of this pilot study is that it is feasible to implement the diary at the ICU. All participants considered that this is a tool that humanizes care, and improves communication, understanding and information. (AU)

The impact of the patient post-intensive care syndrome components upon caregiver burden.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate patient post-intensive care syndrome (PICS-P) and caregiver burden 3 months after discharge from the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and determine the impact of different components of PICS-P upon caregiver burden. DESIGN: A prospective observational study was conducted over 26 months (January 2013-February 2015). SETTING: Medical-surgical ICU and follow-up consultation in Portugal. PATIENTS OR PARTICIPANTS: Patients discharged after a minimum of 2 days in the ICU. Caregiver inclusion criteria: not paid, written and spoken Portuguese, and agreement to participate in the study. MAIN VARIABLES OF INTEREST: In ICU: Patient gender, age, severity of illness (SAPS II) and length of ICU stay. At 3 months caregiver burden, physical (reduced mobility, weakness acquired in the ICU) and psychological components of PICS (anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder). RESULTS: A total of 168 caregivers completed the survey (response rate of 69%). A low degree of overburden was reported by 34.5% of caregivers, while 15.5% showed moderate to high levels of overburden. Patient anxiety and depression 3 months after ICU discharge significantly influenced the presence of caregiver burden (p=0.030 vs p=0.008). When physical components of PICS-P were evaluated, no influence on caregiver burden was observed. Patient demographics, severity of illness and length of stay also failed to influence caregiver burden. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of psychological components of PICS-P 3 months after ICU seems to have a negative impact upon caregiver burden. On the other hand, physical problems showed no important impact upon caregiver overburden.