Patients' memory and psychological distress after ICU stay compared with expectations of the relatives

Patient and Family Experience: Targets for Improvements in Care and Communication in the ICU

This process improvement project sought to further explore the experience of patients and family members within an intensive care unit (ICU) hospital setting to develop specific interventions that can be executed to provide better patient-centered outcome. We surveyed 103 family members using the satisfaction with care subscale of Family Satisfaction with the ICU survey (FS-ICU) (validated ICU experience survey). 103 patients also completed FS-ICU subscale with a modification to make it applicable to patients. Additional questions explored their interest in supportive services and factors contributing to distress with the goal of understanding the gaps in multidisciplinary care and supportive services. Overall, the findings of this project emphasize the importance of (1) understanding patients' experience and satisfaction with care, in addition to families', (2) gathering data with measurement tools that is specific enough to the care environment allowing for unique feedback and areas for improvement, and (3) identifying psychological needs and faith-based support to intervene on challenging experiences.

Depressive symptoms over time among survivors after critical illness: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Critical illness survivors frequently experience various degrees of depressive symptoms, which hinder their recovery and return to daily life. However, substantial variability in the prevalence of depressive symptoms has been reported among critical illness survivors. The exact prevalence remains uncertain.

METHODS

A systematic search was performed in PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and PsycINFO from inception to August 2023 for observational studies that reported depressive symptoms in adult critical illness survivors. The random-effects model was used to estimate the prevalence of depressive symptoms. Subgroup analysis and meta-regression were conducted to explore potential moderators of heterogeneity. Study quality was evaluated using the Joanna Briggs Institute's tool and the GRADE approach.

RESULTS

Fifty-two studies with 24,849 participants met the inclusion criteria. Overall prevalence estimate of depressive symptoms was 21.1% (95% CI, 18.3-24.1%). The prevalence of depressive symptoms remains stable over time. Point prevalence estimates were 21.3% (95% CI, 9.9-35.4%), 19.9% (95% CI, 14.6-25.9%), 18.5% (95% CI, 9.6-29.2%), 21.0% (95% CI, 16.8-25.5%), and 22.6% (95% CI, 14.4-31.8%) at <3, 3, 6, 12, and > 12 months after discharge from intensive care unit (ICU), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Depressive symptoms may impact 1 in 5 adult critically ill patients within 1 year or more following ICU discharge. An influx of rehabilitation service demand is expected, and risk stratification to make optimal clinical decisions is essential. More importantly, to propose measures for the prevention and improvement of depressive symptoms in patients after critical care, given the continuous, dynamic management of ICU patients, including ICU stay, transition to general wards, and post-hospital.

Health-related quality of life in patients discharged from hospital after suicide attempt with violent methods compared to self-poisonings

INTRODUCTION

Suicide attempts by violent methods (VM) can leave the patient with physical and mental trauma affecting health-related quality of life (HRQOL). There is limited knowledge about the impact and HRQOL after a suicide attempt by VM.

AIMS

To compare HRQOL in patients after a suicide attempt by VM, both to self-poisonings (SP) and the general population, and the association of hospital anxiety and depression to the HRQOL in the two groups.

METHODS

Patients admitted to hospital after a suicide attempt were included in this prospective cohort-study from 2010 to 2015. For HRQOL, Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), and Hospital anxiety and depression scale scores (HADS-A and HADS-D) were assessed during study follow-up.

RESULTS

The VM-group scored lower HRQOL for the physical dimensions at 3 months (p<.05), compared to the SP group, and only role limitation physical at 12 months (p<.05). Both groups scored lower HRQOL than the general population (p < .05).At baseline, the VM group scored lower for HADS-A than the SP group (p < .05). Both groups had lower HADS scores one year after (p < .05). In multiple regression analyses, the HADS scores were associated with HRQOL in the VM-group (p < .05). SP group HADS scores were negatively associated with general health, vitality, social functioning, and mental health (p < .05).

CONCLUSION

Both groups scored lower for HRQOL than the general population, and the VM group had worse score than the SP group in physical dimensions. Both groups had less symptoms of anxiety and depression over time, but it`s association to HRQOL was strong.

Anxiety and depression in intensive care patients six months after admission to an intensive care unit: A cohort study

OBJECTIVES

To measure the prevalence of anxiety and depression in intensive care patients six months after admission to an intensive care unit and to investigate which variables are associated with anxiety and depression at six months.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

In this cohort study, patient-reported outcome measures were collected as soon as possible upon admission and at six months. Two logistic regression models were performed to examine variables associated with reporting anxiety and depression above ≥8 at six months.

SETTING

Patients were recruited from six intensive care units in two Norwegian hospitals between 2018 and 2020.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale.

RESULTS

A total of 145 patients was included in the study. The patients reported a prevalence of 18.6% (n = 27) and 12.4% (n = 18) of anxiety and depression, respectively. Higher baseline anxiety scores were associated with both higher odds of reporting anxiety and depression above ≥8. Younger age was associated with higher odds of reporting anxiety, and being female was associated with lower odds of reporting depression.

CONCLUSION

Several intensive care survivors reported having symptoms of anxiety and depression six months after admission to the intensive care unit. Younger age, and higher anxiety scores at baseline were variables associated with higher odds of reporting symptoms of either anxiety or depression, while being female was associated with a lower odds of reporting depression.

IMPLICATIONS FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE

Screening patients for anxiety and depression may help to identify vulnerable patients. Structured follow-ups with intensive care nurses in an outpatient setting may be useful to help patients to work through some of the experiences from the intensive care unit.

Epidemiological and clinical perspectives of long COVID syndrome

Long COVID, or post-acute COVID-19 syndrome, is characterized by multi-organ symptoms lasting 2+ months after initial COVID-19 virus infection. This review presents the current state of evidence for long COVID syndrome, including the global public health context, incidence, prevalence, cardiopulmonary sequelae, physical and mental symptoms, recovery time, prognosis, risk factors, rehospitalization rates, and the impact of vaccination on long COVID outcomes. Results are presented by clinically relevant subgroups. Overall, 10-35% of COVID survivors develop long COVID, with common symptoms including fatigue, dyspnea, chest pain, cough, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, memory loss, and difficulty concentrating. Delineating these issues will be crucial to inform appropriate post-pandemic health policy and protect the health of COVID-19 survivors, including potentially vulnerable or underrepresented groups. Directed to policymakers, health practitioners, and the general public, we provide recommendations and suggest avenues for future research with the larger goal of reducing harms associated with long COVID syndrome.

Hospital Memories and Six-Month Psychological Outcome: A Prospective Study in Critical Ill Patients with COVID-19 Respiratory Failure

ICU survivors suffer from various long-term physical and psychological impairments. Memories from the critical illness may influence long-term psychological outcome. In particular, the role of ICU memories in COVID-19 critically ill patients is unknown. In a prospective observational study, we aimed to investigate patients' memories from the experience of critical illness and their association with a six-month psychological outcome involving quality of life evaluation. Patients' memories were investigated with ICU Memory tool, while psychological outcome and quality of life were evaluated by means of a battery of validated questionnaires during an in-person interview at the follow-up clinic. 149 adult patients were enrolled. 60% retained memories from pre-ICU days spent on a general ward, while 70% reported memories from the in-ICU period. Delusional memories (i.e., memories of facts that never happened) were reported by 69% of patients. According to a multivariable analysis, the lack of pre-ICU memories was an independent predictor of worse psychological outcomes in terms of anxiety, depression and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTDS). Factors associated with long-term outcome in ICU survivors are not still fully understood and patients' experience during the day spent before ICU admission may be associated with psychological sequelae.

Barriers and opportunities for implementation of a brief psychological intervention for post-ICU mental distress in the primary care setting - results from a qualitative sub-study of the PICTURE trial

BACKGROUND

The results of critical illness and life-saving invasive measures during intensive care unit treatment can sometimes lead to lasting physical and psychological impairments. A multicentre randomized controlled trial from Germany (PICTURE) aims to test a brief psychological intervention, based on narrative exposure therapy, for post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms following intensive care unit treatment in the primary care setting. A qualitative analysis was conducted to understand feasibility and acceptance of the intervention beyond quantitative analysis of the main outcomes in the primary study.

METHODS

Qualitative explorative sub-study of the main PICTURE trial, with eight patients from the intervention group recruited for semi-structured telephone interviews. Transcriptions were analysed according to Mayring's qualitative content analysis. Contents were coded and classified into emerging categories.

RESULTS

The study population was 50% female and male, with a mean age of 60.9 years and transplantation surgery being the most frequent admission diagnosis. Four main factors were identified as conducive towards implementation of a short psychological intervention in a primary care setting: 1) long-term trustful relationship between patient and GP team; 2) intervention applied by a medical doctor; 3) professional emotional distance of the GP team; 4) brevity of the intervention.

CONCLUSION

The primary setting has certain qualities such as a long-term doctor-patient relationship and low-threshold consultations that offer good opportunities for implementation of a brief psychological intervention for post-intensive care unit impairments. Structured follow-up guidelines for primary care following intensive care unit treatment are needed. Brief general practice-based interventions could be part of a stepped-care approach.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The main trial was registered at the DRKS (German Register of Clinical Trials: DRKS00012589) on 17/10/2017.

Usability Testing of an iPad Communication Application for Mechanically Ventilated Patients

BACKGROUND

Patient communication challenges during mechanical ventilation can negatively impact symptom management and psychological recovery. Alternative communication (AC) aids have the potential to improve mechanically ventilated (MV) patient experiences.

OBJECTIVES

This study evaluated the feasibility and usability of a communication application on a tablet (iPad).

METHOD

A single-group pilot study was guided by the augmentative and alternative communication acceptance model. We recruited patients from 1 medical intensive care unit. Existing communication application software (Proloquo2Go) was tailored to MV patients' needs. Usability testing included patient communication of 5 messages with data collected on success, message completion time, and patient feedback.

RESULTS

Ten patients with a mean age of 50 years (SD, 16.7) were enrolled. Of the 7 patients able to complete usability testing, 85.7% found the device easy to use, and 100% wanted the iPad available for their use when on the ventilator. Three patients were extubated immediately after usability testing. Two patients preferred other modes of communication (writing). Two patients used the iPad as their primary mode of communication during the remainder of their time on the ventilator. Nurse feedback on the communication application was positive.

DISCUSSION

Tablet-based communication applications can be successfully used by MV patients and should be considered as 1 tool to support effective patient communication during mechanical ventilation. Future research is needed to identify which patients may be most likely to benefit from the availability of these devices.

Life orientation and psychological distress in COVID recovered patients-the role of coping as a mediator

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has not only brought the risk of death but has brought unbearable psychological pressures to the people. Mental health of COVID patients is expected to be affected by the continuous spread of the pandemic. This study aims to find the mediating role of coping styles in the relationship between life orientation and psychological distress among COVID recovered patients. It was hypothesized that: life orientation is likely to have a relationship with coping; coping is likely to have a relationship with psychological distress and coping is likely to mediate the relationship between life orientation and psychological distress among patients recovered from COVID. For this purpose, 378 COVID-10 recovered patients' men (190) and women (188). Urdu translations of the Life Orientation scale revised, Brief Coping Orientation to Problem Experienced (COPE) and Impact of event scales were used to collect data. Results show that emotion-focused and avoidant coping mediate the relationship between life orientation and psychological distress. The research has implications for mental health practitioners and individuals dealing with health-related issues.

Eye Tracking communication with intubated critically ill patients: a proof-of-concept multicenter pilot study

BACKGROUND

Communication is essential to establish patient-caregivers relationship in the intensive care unit. Intubated patients are not able to speak because the tracheal tube prevents vocalization. Use of communication tools such as eye tracking device could improve communication with intubated patients. The objective of this feasibility pilot study was to demonstrate that an eye tracking device specifically developed for the intensive care could be used easily by awake intubated patient with a very short training time.

METHODS

This prospective multicenter study was conducted in four intensive care units. We included awake adult intubated patients. The device used included an eye-tracking infrared detection and a communication interface specifically developed.

RESULTS

A total of 151 patients were included: the median age of patients was 66 years (56-72) and 97 (64%) were male, 97 patients (64%) succeed totally (installation; calibration, succeed to select all three icons), 124 (82%) succeed to select at least one icon, and 111 (74%) succeed to point to at least two icons. The main reasons for failure to use the device were: difficulties to open or to keep the eyes open, difficulties to installing the device occurred, and patient fatigue.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that the use of an eye tracking technology device specifically designed for the intensive care setting, with a short training is easy to use for intubated patient. Patients, relatives and caregivers showed high satisfaction.

Patient experiences of an intensive care Liaison Nurse support service

OBJECTIVES

To illuminate patients' experiences of being a part of an liaison nurse support service focused on supporting recently transferred intensive care unit patients.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY/DESIGN

A qualitative inductive descriptive design including in-depth interviews was chosen.

SETTING

A project including an liaison nurse support service-intervention was undertaken during a 16-week period at a University hospital in Sweden. The liaison nurse support service was available Monday-Friday 10 am - 6 pm and nurses visited the patient 1-4 times after transfer to the ward.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Of the 109 patients who were visited by the liaison nurse support service, 14 agreed to be interviewed about their experiences of the transfer. Data was analysed by inductive content analysis.

FINDINGS

One overall theme, An advocate in a vulnerable situation emerged from the data. Four subthemes were identified: Ensures transfer of information between the intensive care unit and the general ward, Makes the circumstances understandable and coordinates between the care levels and Offers emotional support and stability in an uncertain situation.

CONCLUSION

The liaison nurse support service contributed to ensuring accurate transfer of information, solved problems when the patient themselves did not have control or strength and provided emotional support.

Left alone outside: A prospective observational cohort study on mental health outcomes among relatives of COVID-19 hospitalized patients

Hospitalization due to COVID-19 bears many psychological challenges. While focusing on infected patients, their relatives are being largely neglected. Here, we investigated the mental health implications of hospitalization among relatives, over a one-month course. A single center study was conducted to assess relatives of COVID-19 patients during the first month from their admission to the hospital, and elucidate risk and protective factors for mental health deterioration. Ninety-one relatives of the first patients to be hospitalized in Israel were contacted by phone and screened for anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) at three time points (25-72 hours, 7-18 days, and one month). We found that anxiety and depression decreased significantly during the first month from their admission. Risk factors for deteriorated mental health at one month included feelings of mental exhaustion, financial concerns, and social disconnection. Being an ultra-orthodox was a protective factor for anxiety and depression but not for PTSS. Our findings emphasize the importance of addressing the mental health status of close relatives and adjust support for the unique setting of COVID-19.

Hearing the voices of COVID-19 survivors

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Post Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS): an overview of the definition, etiology, risk factors, and possible counseling and treatment strategies

INTRODUCTION

Post-intensive care syndrome (PICS) has only recently been recognized as a new clinical entity in patients surviving their intensive care unit (ICU) stay due to critical illness. With increasing survival rates of ICU patients worldwide, there is a rising interest regarding post-ICU recovery.

AREAS COVERED

First, based on the current literature a definition is provided of PICS, including the domains of impairments that comprise PICS along with the etiology and risk factors. Second, preventive measures and possible treatment strategies integrated in the follow-up care are described. Third, the authors will discuss the current SARS-Cov-2 pandemic and the increased risk of PICS in these post-ICU patients and their families.

EXPERT OPINION

PICS is a relatively new entity, which not only encompasses various physical, cognitive, and psychological impairments but also impacts global health due to long-lasting detrimental socioeconomic burdens. Importantly, PICS also relates to caregivers of post-ICU patients. Strategies to reduce this burden will not only be needed within the ICU setting but will also have to take place in an interdisciplinary, multifaceted approach in primary care settings. Additionally, the SARS-Cov-2 pandemic has a high burden on post-ICU patients and their relatives.

The Japanese Clinical Practice Guidelines for Management of Sepsis and Septic Shock 2020 (J-SSCG 2020)

The Japanese Clinical Practice Guidelines for Management of Sepsis and Septic Shock 2020 (J-SSCG 2020), a Japanese-specific set of clinical practice guidelines for sepsis and septic shock created as revised from J-SSCG 2016 jointly by the Japanese Society of Intensive Care Medicine and the Japanese Association for Acute Medicine, was first released in September 2020 and published in February 2021. An English-language version of these guidelines was created based on the contents of the original Japanese-language version. The purpose of this guideline is to assist medical staff in making appropriate decisions to improve the prognosis of patients undergoing treatment for sepsis and septic shock. We aimed to provide high-quality guidelines that are easy to use and understand for specialists, general clinicians, and multidisciplinary medical professionals. J-SSCG 2016 took up new subjects that were not present in SSCG 2016 (e.g., ICU-acquired weakness [ICU-AW], post-intensive care syndrome [PICS], and body temperature management). The J-SSCG 2020 covered a total of 22 areas with four additional new areas (patient- and family-centered care, sepsis treatment system, neuro-intensive treatment, and stress ulcers). A total of 118 important clinical issues (clinical questions, CQs) were extracted regardless of the presence or absence of evidence. These CQs also include those that have been given particular focus within Japan. This is a large-scale guideline covering multiple fields; thus, in addition to the 25 committee members, we had the participation and support of a total of 226 members who are professionals (physicians, nurses, physiotherapists, clinical engineers, and pharmacists) and medical workers with a history of sepsis or critical illness. The GRADE method was adopted for making recommendations, and the modified Delphi method was used to determine recommendations by voting from all committee members.As a result, 79 GRADE-based recommendations, 5 Good Practice Statements (GPS), 18 expert consensuses, 27 answers to background questions (BQs), and summaries of definitions and diagnosis of sepsis were created as responses to 118 CQs. We also incorporated visual information for each CQ according to the time course of treatment, and we will also distribute this as an app. The J-SSCG 2020 is expected to be widely used as a useful bedside guideline in the field of sepsis treatment both in Japan and overseas involving multiple disciplines.

The Japanese Clinical Practice Guidelines for Management of Sepsis and Septic Shock 2020 (J-SSCG 2020)

The Japanese Clinical Practice Guidelines for Management of Sepsis and Septic Shock 2020 (J-SSCG 2020), a Japanese-specific set of clinical practice guidelines for sepsis and septic shock created as revised from J-SSCG 2016 jointly by the Japanese Society of Intensive Care Medicine and the Japanese Association for Acute Medicine, was first released in September 2020 and published in February 2021. An English-language version of these guidelines was created based on the contents of the original Japanese-language version. The purpose of this guideline is to assist medical staff in making appropriate decisions to improve the prognosis of patients undergoing treatment for sepsis and septic shock. We aimed to provide high-quality guidelines that are easy to use and understand for specialists, general clinicians, and multidisciplinary medical professionals. J-SSCG 2016 took up new subjects that were not present in SSCG 2016 (e.g., ICU-acquired weakness [ICU-AW], post-intensive care syndrome [PICS], and body temperature management). The J-SSCG 2020 covered a total of 22 areas with four additional new areas (patient- and family-centered care, sepsis treatment system, neuro-intensive treatment, and stress ulcers). A total of 118 important clinical issues (clinical questions, CQs) were extracted regardless of the presence or absence of evidence. These CQs also include those that have been given particular focus within Japan. This is a large-scale guideline covering multiple fields; thus, in addition to the 25 committee members, we had the participation and support of a total of 226 members who are professionals (physicians, nurses, physiotherapists, clinical engineers, and pharmacists) and medical workers with a history of sepsis or critical illness. The GRADE method was adopted for making recommendations, and the modified Delphi method was used to determine recommendations by voting from all committee members. As a result, 79 GRADE-based recommendations, 5 Good Practice Statements (GPS), 18 expert consensuses, 27 answers to background questions (BQs), and summaries of definitions and diagnosis of sepsis were created as responses to 118 CQs. We also incorporated visual information for each CQ according to the time course of treatment, and we will also distribute this as an app. The J-SSCG 2020 is expected to be widely used as a useful bedside guideline in the field of sepsis treatment both in Japan and overseas involving multiple disciplines.

Cognitive, Psychiatric, and Quality of Life Outcomes in Adult Survivors of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Therapy: A Scoping Review of the Literature

OBJECTIVES

To perform a scoping literature review of cognitive, psychiatric, and quality of life outcomes in adults undergoing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for any indication.

DATA SOURCES

We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CINAHL, and PsycINFO from inception to June 2019.

STUDY SELECTION

Observational studies, clinical trials, qualitative studies, and case series with at least 10 adult subjects were included for analysis. Outcomes of interest consisted of general or domain-specific cognition, psychiatric illness, and quality of life measures that included both mental and physical health.

DATA EXTRACTION

Study selection, data quality assessment, and interpretation of results were performed by two independent investigators in accordance with the PRISMA statement.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Twenty-two articles were included in this review. Six described cognitive outcomes, 12 described psychiatric outcomes of which two were qualitative studies, and 16 described quality of life outcomes. Cognitive impairment was detected in varying degrees in every study that measured it. Three studies examined neuroimaging results and found neurologic injury to be more frequent in venoarterial versus venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, but described a variable correlation with cognitive impairment. Rates of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder were similar to other critically ill populations and were related to physical disability after extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation survivors' physical quality of life was worse than population norms but tended to improve with time, while mental quality of life did not differ significantly from the general population. Most studies did not include matched controls and instead compared outcomes to previously published values.

CONCLUSIONS

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation survivors experience cognitive impairment, psychiatric morbidity, and worse quality of life compared with the general population and similar to other survivors of critical illness. Physical disability in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation patients plays a significant role in psychiatric morbidity. However, it remains unclear if structural brain injury plays a role in these outcomes and whether extracorporeal membrane oxygenation causes secondary brain injury.

Consequences and Solutions for the Impact of Communication Impairment on Noninvasive Ventilation Therapy for Acute Respiratory Failure: A Focused Review

Objectives:

With over 2 million cases of acute respiratory failure in the United States per year, noninvasive ventilation has become a leading treatment modality, often supplanting invasive mechanical ventilation as the initial treatment of choice. Most acute respiratory failure patients use a full face (oronasal) mask with noninvasive ventilation, which is known to impair communication, but its popularity and benefit has led many providers to accept the communication impairment. Medical staff periodically remove masks to communicate with patients, but patients are often limited to short utterances and risk lung derecruitment upon removal of positive pressure. These problems can lead to noninvasive ventilation failure, which is often linked to worse outcomes than first initiating invasive mechanical ventilation and can lead to increased hospitalization costs.

Data Sources:

We searched MEDLINE and Google Scholar for “speech,” “communication,” “impairment,” “failure,” “complications,” “NIPPV,” “NIV,” and “noninvasive ventilation.”

Study Selection:

We included articles with patients in acute respiratory failure. We excluded articles for patients using noninvasive ventilation therapy for obstructive sleep apnea.

Data Synthesis:

Communication impairment has been associated with increasing noninvasive ventilation anxiety (odds ratio, 1.25). Of patients using noninvasive ventilation, 48% require early discontinuation, 22% refuse noninvasive ventilation, and 9% are ultimately intubated. Improvements to communication have been shown to reduce fear and anxiety in invasive mechanical ventilation patients. Analogous communication problems exist with effective solutions in other fields, such as fighter pilot masks, that can be easily implemented to enhance noninvasive ventilation patient care, increase adherence to noninvasive ventilation treatment, and improve patient outcomes.

Conclusions:

Communication impairment is an underappreciated cause of noninvasive ventilation complications and failure and requires further characterization. Analogous solutions—such as throat microphones and mask-based microphones—that can be easily implemented show potential as cost-effective methods to reduce noninvasive ventilation failure.

Post-traumatic stress symptoms and sense of coherence in proximity to intensive care unit discharge

BACKGROUND

Post-traumatic stress (PTS) symptoms following intensive care unit (ICU) treatment can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder and represent a severe health burden. In trauma patients, a strong sense of coherence (SOC) is associated with fewer PTS symptoms. However, this association has not been investigated in a general ICU sample.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

To examine the occurrence of PTS symptoms in general ICU patients early after ICU discharge and to assess possible associations between PTS symptoms and SOC, ICU memory, pain, and demographic and clinical characteristics.

DESIGN

This was a cross-sectional study.

METHODS

Adult patients aged ≥18 years admitted for ≥24 hours to five ICUs between 2014 and 2016 were recruited. PTS symptoms and SOC were measured at the ward within the first week after discharge from the ICU using the Posttraumatic Stress Scale-10 and Sense of Coherence Scale-13. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to identify associations between PTS symptoms and SOC and the selected independent variables.

RESULTS

A total of 523 patients were included (17.8% trauma patients; median age 57 years [range 18-94]; 53.3% male). The prevalence of clinically significant PTS symptoms was 32%. After adjustments for gender and age, lower SOC (P < 0.001), more ICU delusional memories (P < 0.001), greater pain interference (P < 0.001), not being a trauma patient (P = 0.02), and younger age (P = 0.03) were significantly associated with more PTS symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

One third of patients experienced clinically relevant PTS symptoms early after discharge from the ICU. In the present study, SOC, delusional memory, pain interference, younger age, and not being a trauma patient were factors associated with more PTS symptoms.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

Early individual follow up after ICU discharge focusing on pain relief and delusional memory may reduce PTS symptoms, with a potential of improving rehabilitation.

A nurse-led, preventive, psychological intervention to reduce PTSD symptom severity in critically ill patients: the POPPI feasibility study and cluster RCT

Background

High numbers of patients experience severe acute stress in critical care units. Acute stress has been linked to post-critical care psychological morbidity, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Previously, a preventive, complex psychological intervention [Psychological Outcomes following a nurse-led Preventative Psychological Intervention for critically ill patients (POPPI)] was developed by this research team, to be led by nurses, to reduce the development of PTSD symptom severity at 6 months.

Objectives

The objectives were to (1) standardise and refine the POPPI intervention, and, if feasible, (2) evaluate it in a cluster randomised clinical trial (RCT).

Design

Two designs were used – (1) two feasibility studies to test the delivery and acceptability (to patients and staff) of the intervention, education package and support tools, and to test the trial procedures (i.e. recruitment and retention), and (2) a multicentre, parallel-group, cluster RCT with a baseline period and staggered roll-out of the intervention.

Setting

This study was set in NHS adult, general critical care units.

Participants

The participants were adult patients who were > 48 hours in a critical care unit, receiving level 3 care and able to consent.

Interventions

The intervention comprised three elements – (1) creating a therapeutic environment in critical care, (2) three stress support sessions for patients identified as acutely stressed and (3) a relaxation and recovery programme for patients identified as acutely stressed.

Main outcome measures

Primary outcome – patient-reported symptom severity using the PTSD Symptom Scale – Self Report (PSS-SR) questionnaire (to measure clinical effectiveness) and incremental costs, quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) and net monetary benefit at 6 months (to measure cost-effectiveness). Secondary outcomes – days alive and free from sedation to day 30; duration of critical care unit stay; PSS-SR score of > 18 points; depression, anxiety and health-related quality of life at 6 months; and lifetime cost-effectiveness.

Results

(1) A total of 127 participants were recruited to the intervention feasibility study from two sites and 86 were recruited to the RCT procedures feasibility study from another two sites. The education package, support tools and intervention were refined. (2) A total of 24 sites were randomised to the intervention or control arms. A total of 1458 participants were recruited. Twelve sites delivered the intervention during the intervention period: > 80% of patients received two or more stress support sessions and all 12 sites achieved the target of > 80% of clinical staff completing the POPPI online training. There was, however, variation in delivery across sites. There was little difference between baseline and intervention periods in the development of PTSD symptom severity (measured by mean PSS-SR score) at 6 months for surviving patients in either the intervention or the control group: treatment effect estimate −0.03, 95% confidence interval (CI) −2.58 to 2.52; p = 0.98. On average, the intervention decreased costs and slightly improved QALYs, leading to a positive incremental net benefit at 6 months (£835, 95% CI −£4322 to £5992), but with considerable statistical uncertainty surrounding these results. There were no significant differences between the groups in any of the secondary outcomes or in the prespecified subgroup analyses.

Limitations

There was a risk of bias because different consent processes were used and as a result of the lack of blinding, which was mitigated as far as possible within the study design. The intervention started later than anticipated. Patients were not routinely monitored for delirium.

Conclusions

Among level 3 patients who stayed > 48 hours in critical care, the delivery of a preventive, complex psychological intervention, led by nurses, did not reduce the development of PTSD symptom severity at 6 months, when compared with usual care.

Future work

Prior to development and evaluation of subsequent psychological interventions, there is much to learn from post hoc analyses of the cluster RCT rich quantitative and qualitative data.

Trial registration

This trial is registered as ISRCTN61088114 and ISRCTN53448131.

Funding

This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Services and Delivery Research programme and will be published in full in Health Services and Delivery Research; Vol. 23, No. 30. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.

Prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms in adult critical care survivors: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

As more patients are surviving intensive care, mental health concerns in survivors have become a research priority. Among these, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can have an important impact on the quality of life of critical care survivors. However, data on its burden are conflicting. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the prevalence of PTSD symptoms in adult critical care patients after intensive care unit (ICU) discharge.

Methods

We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, LILACS, Web of Science, PsycNET, and Scopus databases from inception to September 2018. We included observational studies assessing the prevalence of PTSD symptoms in adult critical care survivors. Two reviewers independently screened studies and extracted data. Studies were meta-analyzed using a random-effects model to estimate PTSD symptom prevalence at different time points, also estimating confidence and prediction intervals. Subgroup and meta-regression analyses were performed to explore heterogeneity. Risk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute tool and the GRADE approach.

Results

Of 13,267 studies retrieved, 48 were included in this review. Overall prevalence of PTSD symptoms was 19.83% (95% confidence interval [CI], 16.72–23.13; I² = 90%, low quality of evidence). Prevalence varied widely across studies, with a wide range of expected prevalence (from 3.70 to 43.73% in 95% of settings). Point prevalence estimates were 15.93% (95% CI, 11.15–21.35; I² = 90%; 17 studies), 16.80% (95% CI, 13.74–20.09; I² = 66%; 13 studies), 18.96% (95% CI, 14.28–24.12; I² = 92%; 13 studies), and 20.21% (95% CI, 13.79–27.44; I² = 58%; 7 studies) at 3, 6, 12, and > 12 months after discharge, respectively.

Conclusion

PTSD symptoms may affect 1 in every 5 adult critical care survivors, with a high expected prevalence 12 months after discharge. ICU survivors should be screened for PTSD symptoms and cared for accordingly, given the potential negative impact of PTSD on quality of life. In addition, action should be taken to further explore the causal relationship between ICU stay and PTSD, as well as to propose early measures to prevent PTSD in this population.

Trial registration

PROSPERO, CRD42017075124, Registered 6 December 2017.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13054-019-2489-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Factors associated with impaired physical functioning and mental health in working-age patients attending a post-intensive care follow-up clinic three months after hospital discharge

Patients recovering from critical illness are often suffering from remarkable limitations in their everyday life. The purpose of this study was to find factors associated with poor physical functioning and mental health after critical illness. The study was conducted among patients who met the inclusion criteria of our post-intensive care unit follow-up clinic. The patients were invited to the follow-up clinic three months after hospital discharge. The participants filled out a RAND-36 questionnaire, underwent a clinical examination and were stratified to those with good or poor recovery according to physical functioning and emotional wellbeing. Altogether 332 out of 351 follow-up clinic attendees had data available for analysis. In physical functioning 40% of patients achieved a poor outcome. In mental health the percentage was 8%. The patients with poor physical functioning had a longer hospital stay and were more likely to have received vasopressors. Eleven out of 16 (69%) multitrauma patients had poor physical functioning. Patients with poor physical functioning had more memories of pain, achieved worse results in a six-minute walk test and were less likely to be able to move independently. The patients with poor mental health had higher delirium incidence and fewer memories of relatives' visits and of nurses. The conclusions of this study were that the memories of pain, multitrauma and longer hospital stay were associated with a poor physical functioning outcome. Delirium and a lack of memories of relatives and nurses were associated with a poor mental health outcome.

Research Article Women's experience of maternity high-dependency care following a complicated birth: A cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE

There is limited evidence around childbearing women's experience following a complicated birth requiring maternity high-dependency care. Our objective was to explore women's experience and wellbeing following a complicated birth within this context.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY/DESIGN

A cross-sectional study captured women's experience through a postal survey four weeks post birth.

SETTING

A convenience sample of 112 women who received care in the first 24 hours of their stay in a Western Australian maternity high dependency unit.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

A validated tool designed to explore patients' intensive care experience was modified and six items were added based upon the literature and in consultation with clinicians.

RESULTS

Women felt they were given choice (78%; n = 86); were not glad to be transferred to a ward (62%; n = 68) and were in pain during the first 24 hours of their admission (70%; n = 78). Women who did not feel scared were more likely than those who felt scared to have a clinician explain what had happened (95% vs 78%, P = 0.007); were more likely to feel in control (94% vs 75%, P = 0.006); and were less likely to feel helpless (27% vs 62%, P = <0.001).

CONCLUSION

The transfer experience to a postpartum ward requires further investigation as does the management of pain for these childbearing women regardless of their birth mode.

Long-term follow-up for Psychological stRess in Intensive CarE (PRICE) survivors: study protocol for a multicentre, prospective observational cohort study in Australian intensive care units

INTRODUCTION

There are little published data on the long-term psychological outcomes in intensive care unit (ICU) survivors and their family members in Australian ICUs. In addition, there is scant literature evaluating the effects of psychological morbidity in intensive care survivors on their family members. The aims of this study are to describe and compare the long-term psychological outcomes of intubated and non-intubated ICU survivors and their family members in an Australian ICU setting.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

This will be a prospective observational cohort study across four ICUs in Australia. The study aims to recruit 150 (75 intubated and 75 non-intubated) adult ICU survivors and 150 family members of the survivors from 2015 to 2018. Long-term psychological outcomes and effects on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) will be evaluated at 3 and 12 months follow-up using validated and published screening tools. The primary objective is to compare the prevalence of affective symptoms in intubated and non-intubated survivors of intensive care and their families and its effects on HRQoL. The secondary objective is to explore dyadic relations of psychological outcomes in patients and their family members.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The study has been approved by the relevant human research ethics committees (HREC) of Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Health (ETH.11.14.315), New South Wales (HREC/16/HNE/64), South Australia (HREC/15/RAH/346). The results of this study will be published in a peer-reviewed medical journal and presented to the local intensive care community and other stakeholders.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ACTRN12615000880549; Pre-results.

Pain and consciousness

The aversive experience we call "pain" results from the coordinated activation of multiple brain areas, commonly described as a "pain matrix". This is not a fixed arrangement of structures but rather a fluid system composed of several interacting networks: A 'nociceptive matrix' includes regions receiving input from ascending nociceptive systems, and ensures the bodily characteristics of physical pain. A further set of structures receiving secondary input supports the 'salience' attributes of noxious stimuli, triggers top-down cognitive controls, and -most importantly- ensures the passage from pre-conscious nociception to conscious pain. Expectations and beliefs can still modulate the conscious experience via activity in supramodal regions with widespread cortical projections such as the ventral tegmental area. Intracortical EEG responses in humans show that nociceptive cortical processing is initiated in parallel in sensory, motor and limbic areas; it progresses rapidly to the recruitment of anterior insular and fronto-parietal networks, and finally to the activation of perigenual, posterior cingulate and hippocampal structures. Functional connectivity between sensory and high-level networks increases during the first second post-stimulus, which may be determinant for access to consciousness. A model is described, progressing from unconscious sensori-motor and limbic processing of spinothalamic and spino-parabrachial input, to an immediate sense of awareness supported by coordinated activity in sensorimotor and fronto-parieto-insular networks, and leading to full declarative consciousness through integration with autobiographical memories and self-awareness, involving posterior cingulate and medial temporal areas. This complete sequence is only present during full vigilance states. We contend, however, that even in unconscious subjects, repeated limbic and vegetative activation by painful stimuli via spino-amygdalar pathways can generate implicit memory traces and stimulus-response abnormal sequences, possibly contributing to long-standing anxiety or hyperalgesic syndromes in patients surviving coma.

Health-promoting conversations-A novel approach to families experiencing critical illness in the ICU environment

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

To identify and describe the outcomes of a nurse-led intervention, "Health-promoting conversations with families," regarding family functioning and well-being in families with a member who was critically ill.

BACKGROUND

Families who have a critically ill family member in an intensive care unit face a demanding situation, threatening the normal functioning of the family. Yet, there is a knowledge gap regarding family members' well-being during and after critical illness.

DESIGN

The study used a qualitative inductive-descriptive design.

METHODS

Eight families participated in health-promoting conversations aimed to create a context for change related to the families' identified problems and resources. Fifteen qualitative interviews were conducted with 18 adults who participated in health-promoting conversations about a critical illness in the family. Eight participants were patients (six men, two women) and 10 were family members (two male partners, five female partners, one mother, one daughter, one female grandchild). The interviews were analysed by conventional content analysis.

RESULTS

Family members experienced strengthened togetherness, a caring attitude and confirmation through health-promoting conversations. The caring and calming conversations were appreciated despite the reappearance of exhausting feelings. Working through the experience and being confirmed promoted family well-being.

CONCLUSION

Health-promoting conversations were considered to be healing, as the family members take part in sharing each other's feelings, thoughts and experiences with the critical illness.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

Health-promoting conversations could be a simple and effective nursing intervention for former intensive care patients and their families in any cultural context.

Social Support Networks and Quality of Life of Rural Men in a Context of Marriage Squeeze in China

A significant number of rural Chinese men are facing difficulties in finding a spouse and may fail to ever marry due to a relative scarcity of women in the adult population. Research has indicated that marriage squeeze is a stressful event which is harmful to men's quality of life, and also weakens their social support networks. Using data collected in rural Chaohu city, Anhui, China, this study explores the effects of social support networks on quality of life of rural men who experience a marriage squeeze. The results indicate that the size of social contact networks is directly and positively associated with the quality of life of marriage-squeezed men, and moderate the negative effect of age on quality of life. Having no or limited instrumental support network and social contact network are double-edged swords, which have direct negative associations with the quality of life of marriage-squeezed men, and have moderate effects on the relationship between marriage squeeze and quality of life.

A cross-sectional study of predictors of pain control during the transition from the surgical intensive care unit to surgical ward

BACKGROUND

The transition of patients from the intensive care unit (ICU) to the ward is a complicated process and patients may be at risk of increased levels of pain.

OBJECTIVES

The primary objective was to identify predictors of pain during the transition from the surgical ICU to the surgical ward. The secondary objective was to describe the patient pain experience during this transition.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study conducted at an academic medical centre in the United States. Patients who were discharged from the ICU were interviewed regarding their pain during transition from ICU to the ward using the Revised American Pain Society Patient Outcome Questionnaire (APS-POQ-R). The primary outcome measures were the total score of this validated instrument (0-180 points) and score of the pain severity and sleep interference subscale (0-50 points). Predictors of pain control during this 24-h transition period were identified using linear regression analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 50 patients were included. After transition from the ICU, the median score on the APS-POQ-R was 45 (Q1 29 to Q3 74), and the median score on the pain severity and sleep interference subscale was 23 (Q1 15 to Q3 30). After adjusting for sex in a multivariate model, mean pain score in the preceding 24 h of ICU stay explained 31% of the variation in total APS-POQ-R score and 39% of variation in the pain severity and sleep interference subscale. Age, sex, race, type of surgery, number of surgeries, and opioid dose in the 24-h period before transfer were not significantly associated with either outcome measure. The worst pain experienced by patients during transfer was severe (i.e. score ≥7 on 0 to 10 scale) in 90% (n = 45) of patients. For 70% (n = 35) of patients, severe pain persisted for more than 50% of the time during the transition period.

CONCLUSION

Pain scores in the last 24 h of ICU stay is a predictor of total APS-POQ-R score and pain severity and sleep interference subscale score.

Psychological Outcomes following a nurse-led Preventative Psychological Intervention for critically ill patients (POPPI): protocol for a cluster-randomised clinical trial of a complex intervention

INTRODUCTION

Acute psychological stress, as well as unusual experiences including hallucinations and delusions, are common in critical care unit patients and have been linked to post-critical care psychological morbidity such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and anxiety. Little high-quality research has been conducted to evaluate psychological interventions that could alleviate longer-term psychological morbidity in the critical care unit setting. Our research team developed and piloted a nurse-led psychological intervention, aimed at reducing patient-reported PTSD symptom severity and other adverse psychological outcomes at 6 months, for evaluation in the POPPI trial.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

This is a multicentre, parallel group, cluster-randomised clinical trial with a staggered roll-out of the intervention. The trial is being carried out at 24 (12 intervention, 12 control) NHS adult, general, critical care units in the UK and is evaluating the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a nurse-led preventative psychological intervention in reducing patient-reported PTSD symptom severity and other psychological morbidity at 6 months. All sites deliver usual care for 5 months (baseline period). Intervention group sites are then trained to carry out the POPPI intervention, and transition to delivering the intervention for the rest of the recruitment period. Control group sites deliver usual care for the duration of the recruitment period. The trial also includes a process evaluation conducted independently of the trial team.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

This protocol was reviewed and approved by the National Research Ethics Service South Central - Oxford B Research Ethics Committee (reference: 15/SC/0287). The first patient was recruited in September 2015 and results will be disseminated in 2018. The results will be presented at national and international conferences and published in peer reviewed medical journals.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ISRCTN53448131; Pre-results.

Exploring the scope of communication content of mechanically ventilated patients

PURPOSE

Ineffective communication during mechanical ventilation (MV) and critical illness is distressing to many patients. This study aimed to describe the scope of communication content of ventilated critically ill patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We performed a prospective qualitative interview study in a multidisciplinary intensive care unit. Ten alert, orientated adult patients who previously underwent MV for at least 24h and were able to speak at the time of interview were recruited. Semi-structured interviews with stimulated recall technique were conducted. A descriptive thematic analysis was performed of the patient-generated content using a free coding technique, where recurrent themes and subthemes were noted, coded and analyzed.

RESULTS

Patients' communication content included medical discussions with clinicians; communication with family to provide advice or comfort, make requests and plans, express feelings and convey personal perspectives on medical care; and expression of their own psychoemotional needs.

CONCLUSIONS

The scope of communication content of ventilated ICU patients was broad, extending far beyond task-focused subject matter. Content ranged from conveying symptom-related messages to active participation in medical discussions, to conversing with family about a range of complex multi-dimensional issues, to sharing their own psychoemotional experiences. These patient-centered needs should be recognized and addressed in communication strategies.

Acute psychological trauma in the critically ill: Patient and family perspectives

OBJECTIVE

Post-intensive care syndrome (PICS), which encompasses profound psychological morbidity, affects many survivors of critical illness. We hypothesize that acute psychological stress during the intensive care unit (ICU) confinement likely contributes to PICS. In order to develop strategies that mitigate PICS associated psychological morbidity, it is paramount to first characterize acute ICU psychological stress and begin to understand its causative and protective factors.

METHODS

A structured interview study was administered to adult critical illness survivors who received ≥48h of mechanical ventilation in medical and surgical ICUs of a tertiary care center, and their families.

RESULTS

Fifty patients and 44 family members were interviewed following ICU discharge. Patients reported a high level of psychological distress. The families' perception of patient's stress level correlated with the patient's self-estimated stress level both in daily life (rho=0.59; p<0.0001) and in ICU (rho=0.45; p=0.002). 70% of patients experienced fear of death, 38% had additional other fears, 48% had hallucinations. Concerns included inability to communicate (34%), environmental factors (30%), procedures and restraints (24%), and being intubated (12%). Emotional support of family/friend/staff/clergy (86%), and physical therapy/walking (14%) were perceived to be important mitigating factors. Clinicians' actions that were perceived to be very constructive included reassurance (54%), explanations (32%) and physical touch (8%).

CONCLUSIONS

Fear, hallucinations, and the inability to communicate, are identified as central contributors to psychological stress during an ICU stay; the presence of family, and physician's attention are categorized as important mitigating factors. Patients and families identified several practical recommendations which may help assuage the psychological burden of the ICU stay.

Depressive Symptoms After Critical Illness: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVES

To synthesize data on prevalence, natural history, risk factors, and post-ICU interventions for depressive symptoms in ICU survivors.

DATA SOURCES

PubMed, EMBASE, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature, PsycINFO, and Cochrane Controlled Trials Registry (1970-2015).

STUDY SELECTION

Studies measuring depression after hospital discharge using a validated instrument in more than 20 adults from non-specialty ICUs.

DATA EXTRACTION

Duplicate independent review and data abstraction.

DATA SYNTHESIS

The search identified 27,334 titles, with 42 eligible articles on 38 unique studies (n = 4,113). The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-Depression subscale was used most commonly (58%). The pooled Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-Depression subscale prevalence (95% CI) of depressive symptoms at a threshold score greater than or equal to 8 was 29% (22-36%) at 2-3 months (12 studies; n = 1,078), 34% (24-43%) at 6 months (seven studies; n = 760), and 29% (23-34%) at 12-14 months (six studies; n = 1,041). The prevalence of suprathreshold depressive symptoms (compatible with Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-Depression subscale, ≥ 8) across all studies, using all instruments, was between 29% and 30% at all three time points. The pooled change in prevalence (95% CI) from 2-3 to 6 months (four studies; n = 387) was 5% (-1% to +12%), and from 6 to 12 months (three studies; n = 412) was 1% (-6% to +7%). Risk factors included pre-ICU psychologic morbidity and presence of in-ICU psychologic distress symptoms. We did not identify any post-ICU intervention with strong evidence of improvement in depressive symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinically important depressive symptoms occurred in approximately one-third of ICU survivors and were persistent through 12-month follow-up. Greater research into treatment is needed for this common and persistent post-ICU morbidity.

Differential Perceptions of Noninvasive Ventilation in Intensive Care among Medical Caregivers, Patients, and Their Relatives: A Multicenter Prospective Study-The PARVENIR Study

BACKGROUND

Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) requires a close "partnership" between a conscious patient and the patient's caregivers. Specific perceptions of NIV stakeholders and their impact have been poorly described to date. The objectives of this study were to compare the perceptions of NIV by intensive care unit (ICU) physicians, nurses, patients, and their relatives and to explore factors associated with caregivers' willingness to administer NIV and patients' and relatives' anxiety in relation to NIV.

METHODS

This is a prospective, multicenter questionnaire-based study.

RESULTS

Three hundred and eleven ICU physicians, 752 nurses, 396 patients, and 145 relatives from 32 ICUs answered the questionnaire. Nurses generally reported more negative feelings and more frequent regrets about providing NIV (median score, 3; interquartile range, [1 to 5] vs. 1 [1 to 5]; P < 0.0001) compared to ICU physicians. Sixty-four percent of ICU physicians and only 32% of nurses reported a high level of willingness to administer NIV, which was independently associated with NIV case-volume and workload. A high NIV session-related level of anxiety was observed in 37% of patients and 45% of relatives. "Dyspnea during NIV," "long NIV session," and "the need to have someone at the bedside" were identified as independent risk factors of high anxiety in patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Lack of willingness of caregivers to administer NIV and a high level of anxiety of patients and relatives in relation to NIV are frequent in the ICU. Most factors associated with low willingness to administer NIV by nurses or anxiety in patients and relatives may be amenable to change. Interventional studies are now warranted to evaluate how to reduce these risk factors and therefore contribute to better management of a potentially traumatic experience. (Anesthesiology 2016; 124:1347-59).

Critical illness as a biographical disruption

This paper discusses critical illness as a biographical disruption in intensive care and beyond. When people talk about critical illness, they often associate it with intensive care units (ICU). However, critical illness disrupts one’s existential being both in the immediacy of ICU hospitalisation and during the long-term recovery phase. In ICU the patient experiences biographical disruption by being attached to technology and being unconscious. During the period of unconsciousness the patient undergoes severance from the world. This period is then followed by the discovery of oneself confined to the strange ICU environment and restricted by lifesaving technology upon regaining consciousness. These phases highlight the nature of critical illness as a biographical disruption. Chronic illness and illness in general as a biographical disruption have been discussed previously. However there is little literature about critical illness as a biographical disruption per se.

[Complications and monitoring standards after elective craniotomy in Germany]

BACKGROUND

The increasing endeavors to make inpatient treatment processes more effective leads to a reduction of the length of stay in hospital and minimization of postoperative monitoring. Therefore, the aim of our study was to determine potential postoperative complications for neurosurgical patients undergoing elective surgery with respect to assessment of the relevance for intensive medical care. Furthermore, our approach was compared with the standard of postoperative care of such patients in Germany.

METHODS

All 499 patients scheduled for elective craniotomy at our institute from 2010-2013 could be included corresponding to various treatment criteria for vascular diseases, such as aneurysms, arteriovenous malformation (AVM) and cavernous hemangioma as well as supratentorial and infratentorial tumors, transsphenoidally operated pituitary adenomas and stereotactic biopsies. All complications could be collated and categorized according to major and minor complications. Furthermore, a survey was conducted among 155 neurosurgical hospitals and departments with respect to the preferred postoperative monitoring strategy for the named treatment categories.

RESULTS

The numbers of major complication were in accordance with data from other studies and although minor complications (13.4% in our collective) are rarely recorded in the literature, they do however indicate an adequate postoperative inpatient monitoring. The results of the survey showed a broad preference for intensive care unit monitoring of patients undergoing elective craniotomy in Germany.

CONCLUSION

The undisputed gold standard of postoperative monitoring of neurosurgical patients undergoing elective surgery is still the intensive care unit. Although more flexible surveillance modalities are available, a cost-driven restructuring of postoperative monitoring and in particular reduction of the length of stay in hospital must be subjected to detailed scrutinization.

Perspectives of patients and family members regarding psychological support using intensive care diaries: An exploratory mixed methods study

PURPOSE

Diaries summarizing intensive care are routine practice in some countries, although evidence to support diary use is limited. The purpose of this study was to identify whether distress post-intensive care influences patients' and relatives' choice as to whether they would like to receive a diary and what information delivery method is preferred.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Intensive care patients admitted for at least 3 days and their relatives participated in an exploratory mixed methods study. Interviews were conducted 3 to 5 months after discharge. Psychological distress was assessed using Kessler-10 and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptom Checklist - 5. Perceptions of benefit of diaries were assessed using a 4-point Likert scale. Differences were examined using Fisher exact test (P<.05).

RESULTS

Fifty-seven patients and 22 relatives consented to participation, with 22 patients and 22 relatives interviewed before data saturation. Psychological distress was evident in 25 (47%) patients and 5 (23%) relatives. Participants' psychological health was similar for those who perceived diaries as beneficial, and those who did not. Themes included memory, process, and impact, although opinions were diverse.

CONCLUSIONS

Patient and relative preferences of receiving a diary are not related to psychological distress. Diverse opinions around common themes suggest the need for a range of interventions to aid psychological recovery.

A qualitative exploration into the long-term perspectives of patients receiving critical care diaries across the United Kingdom

BACKGROUND

Increasing evidence suggests the use of a diary with entries by nurses, doctors, AHPs and the patient's family can potentially help by "filling in the gaps" and help the patient make sense of a time that they have forgotten or feel confused and have fears about.

AIMS

A qualitative exploration of the impact of diaries on critical care patients around the United Kingdom in order to describe the long-term effects of patient diaries.

METHODS

In-depth qualitative interviews, using principles of grounded theory, via telephone and email were undertaken. The sample included former patients who responded via adverts on critical care charity/support websites. People who had diaries in the previous 1-3 years were asked about their experiences.

FINDINGS

Eight people who had been patients in various critical care units across the United Kingdom and who had a critical care diary were interviewed. All reported value in having diaries, however, participants reported needing support when first receiving the diary to understand events that took place in critical care.

CONCLUSION

Diaries can offer a means of filing the gaps for patients who struggle with coming to terms with their critical care recovery, but should be given to patients with forethought and subsequent support.

Factors associated with anxiety in critically ill patients: A prospective observational cohort study

BACKGROUND

Anxiety is an unpleasant emotion that most intensive care patients experience. This emotion is an important issue in intensive care settings because of its prevalence, adverse effects and severity. Little is known about the factors associated with state and trait anxiety during critical illness.

OBJECTIVES

To describe the patterns of state anxiety reported by intensive care patients, and identify factors associated with state and trait anxiety.

DESIGN

Prospective observational cohort study.

SETTINGS

One mixed intensive care unit in Brisbane, Australia.

PARTICIPANTS

Adults (n=141, ≥18 years) admitted to the intensive care unit for ≥24h; able to communicate verbally or non-verbally; understand English; and, open their eyes spontaneously or in response to voice.

METHODS

Outcomes were state anxiety as measured by the Faces Anxiety Scale and trait anxiety as measured by the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Pre-intensive care factors tested for possible associations with both state and trait anxiety were: age, gender, marital status, employment status, level of education, smoking status, personality trait of optimism and evidence of mental health care/treatment. Intra-intensive care factors tested were: reason for admission to the intensive care unit, delirium, pain, airway status, hours of mechanical ventilation, severity of illness, days of stay in intensive care, exposure to corticosteroids, opioids, benzodiazepines, anxiolytics, antidepressants, beta-blockers, anaesthetic agents and analgesics; length of sedation and analgesia and total doses of sedatives and analgesics.

RESULTS

Of 141 participants, 98 (70%) were male with an average age of 54 (standard deviation: ±15) years and stayed in intensive care for about 4 (Interquartile Range: 3-7) days. The majority (n=115; 82%) of participants experienced state anxiety at least once during their stay in intensive care, with 57% reporting moderate to severe levels. Factors related to state anxiety in intensive care were pain and trait anxiety. Factors associated with trait anxiety were trait optimism, state anxiety, evidence of mental health care/treatment and age.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides a better understanding of contributing factors for anxiety in the critically ill. Trait anxiety and state anxiety were significantly associated with each other, namely, patients who were anxious by nature experienced higher levels of state anxiety, which persisted throughout their stay in the intensive care unit. Recognising the importance of state and trait anxiety assessments using validated tools and determining ways to manage anxiety in the critically ill are critical aspects of the intensive care nurses role.

Trait Anxiety But Not State Anxiety During Critical Illness Was Associated With Anxiety and Depression Over 6 Months After ICU

OBJECTIVE

To determine the association between anxiety during critical illness and symptoms of anxiety and depression over 6 months after ICU discharge in survivors of intensive care treatment.

DESIGN

Longitudinal study.

SETTING

One closed mixed ICU in an adult tertiary hospital in Brisbane, Australia.

PATIENTS

Participants (n = 141) were adults (≥ 8 yr), admitted to ICU for at least 24 hours, able to communicate either verbally or nonverbally, understand English, and open their eyes spontaneously or in response to voice.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

The outcomes of symptoms of anxiety and depression over 6 months after ICU discharge were assessed using the Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale. The primary variable of interest was anxiety during critical illness. Two components of anxiety (state and trait) were assessed during critical illness using the Faces Anxiety Scale and the trait component of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Perceived social support, cognitive functioning, and posttraumatic stress symptoms were also assessed using standardized instruments. Clinical and demographic data were obtained from patients and medical records. Participants were followed up in hospital wards and at 3 and 6 months after ICU discharge. During ICU treatment, 81 of the 141 participants (57%) reported moderate to severe levels of state anxiety. Of the 92 participants who completed the surveys at the 6-month follow-up, 26 participants (28%) reported symptoms of anxiety and 21 (23%) symptoms of depression. Symptoms of anxiety and depression were strongly correlated in this cohort of survivors. Trait anxiety was significantly associated with both anxiety and depression symptoms over time; however, state anxiety was not associated with either outcome. Participants who reported post-ICU memories of intra-ICU anxiety were significantly more anxious during recovery over 6 months. Cognitive functioning and posttraumatic stress symptoms were both significantly associated with anxiety and depression symptoms over time.

CONCLUSION

Symptoms of anxiety and depression are a significant issue for general ICU survivors. Trait anxiety was significantly associated with adverse emotional outcomes over 6 months after ICU discharge. There was also a significant relationship between post-ICU memories of intra-ICU anxiety and anxiety during recovery. Interventions to reduce anxiety during critical illness need to be considered and evaluated for their longer term benefits for survivors of critical illness.

Anxiety symptoms in survivors of critical illness: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the epidemiology of and postintensive care unit (ICU) interventions for anxiety symptoms after critical illness.

METHODS

We searched five databases (1970-2015) to identify studies assessing anxiety symptoms in adult ICU survivors. Data from studies using the most common assessment instrument were meta-analyzed.

RESULTS

We identified 27 studies (2880 patients) among 27,334 citations. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-Anxiety (HADS-A) subscale was the most common instrument (81% of studies). We pooled data at 2-3, 6 and 12-14month time-points, with anxiety symptom prevalences [HADS-A≥8, 95% confidence interval (CI)] of 32%(27-38%), 40%(33-46%) and 34%(25-42%), respectively. In a subset of studies with repeated assessments in the exact same patients, there was no significant change in anxiety score or prevalence over time. Age, gender, severity of illness, diagnosis and length of stay were not associated with anxiety symptoms. Psychiatric symptoms during admission and memories of in-ICU delusional experiences were potential risk factors. Physical rehabilitation and ICU diaries had potential benefit.

CONCLUSIONS

One third of ICU survivors experience anxiety symptoms that are persistent during their first year of recovery. Psychiatric symptoms during admission and memories of in-ICU delusional experiences were associated with post-ICU anxiety. Physical rehabilitation and ICU diaries merit further investigation as possible interventions.

The relevance of pupillometry for evaluation of analgesia before noxious procedures in the intensive care unit

BACKGROUND

Many patients in the intensive care unit are unable to communicate verbally. Accurately predicting whether such patients will exhibit painful behaviors during noxious procedures and assessing the adequacy of analgesia during those procedures is a challenge. In addition to observational pain assessment tools such as the Behavioral Pain Scale, physiologic indicators such as the pupillary response have been proposed. The pupil is innervated by both divisions of the autonomic nervous system and is affected by pain and analgesic medications. We evaluated the pupillary response to a light stimulus before noxious procedures as a method to predict pain during the procedure.

METHODS

We correlated different aspects of the pupillary light reflex with established strategies for pain assessment to evaluate the adequacy of analgesia before surgical dressing changes performed in the intensive care unit in patients with cellulitis associated with mediastinitis or not.

RESULTS

We found that a percentage of variation in pupil size >19% predicted the presence of pain as assessed by a Behavioral Pain Scale score of >3 with a sensitivity of 100% (95% confidence interval, 100%-100%) and a specificity of 77% (95% confidence interval, 54%-100%).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients unable to communicate verbally, pupillometry may potentially guide caregivers to adjust analgesia before noxious procedures.

Mutual relationship between anxiety and pain in the intensive care unit and its effect on medications

PURPOSE

Little is known about the relationship between anxiety and pain in intensive care unit (ICU) patients despite its importance. The aims of the present study are to examine the correlation between pain and anxiety during ICU care and to investigate its effects on the dose of opioids and anxiolytics administered.

METHODS

The study subjects were awake critically ill patients admitted to an ICU over a 2-month period. Trained psychiatrists evaluated the nondelirious, noncomatose patients daily for anxiety and pain using the Numeric Rating Scale for Pain (NRS-Pain), Faces Anxiety Scale (FAS), and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale.

RESULTS

Daily alterations of anxiety and pain were significantly correlated with one another among 123 patients. Both the FAS and the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale were positively correlated with the NRS-Pain (P < .001 for both). The NRS-Pain score (P = .016) and the FAS score (P = .007) both significantly correlated with the dose of anxiolytics. The dose of opioids was unaffected by the severity of pain or anxiety.

CONCLUSIONS

Pain and anxiety among critically ill patients in the ICU were closely correlated. Pain and anxiety influenced the dose of anxiolytics administered. Therefore, a precise evaluation and comprehensive approach to the management of pain and anxiety are important for treating ICU patients.