Discharge after Intensive Care (ICU)

Paper Summary:

This paper compares two articles, both indicating problems after discharge to the home from the ICU, with each other and with an additional review of the literature, "Problems Following Discharge after Intensive Care," written by Daffurn et al (1994) and "Intensive and Critical Nursing Care," written by Scraggs et al (2001). The author points out that the condition, disease, illness, or injury of the patient is most likely one of the two most predominant factors in the experience of the recovering patient upon discharge home from the ICU. The paper stresses the importance of the proper provision of both verbal and written instructions to the patient and the patient's caregiver, since this greatly impacts the patient in terms of well-being, as well as the overall experience of discharge to home from ICU, thus reducing the need for returning to the hospital.

Table of Contents
Objectives
Review of Articles for Comparative Critical Review
Article One
Article Two
Review of Available Literature
Review Comparison and Contrast of Findings
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"Results of the study found that of the 54 patients 34 of the patients experienced normal sleep patterns after discharge while 15 reported that they were unable to remain asleep due to disturbances and 5 patients were unable to fall asleep. 41 patients reported a normal appetite while 11 reported that their appetite was reduced and 2 patients reported a controlled appetite. Of the 54 patients 17 were not on medications at al while 14 of the patients were n Cardiac medications, 9 patients were taking multiple meds and four patients were taking analgesic medications. In relation to the memory of the patient in relation to the ICU stay 16 of the 54 patients had no memory of the stay whatsoever while 7 had a pleasant recall of the ICU stay and 9 patients claimed an unpleasant recall of their stay in the ICU. Reporting nightmares during the ICU stay were 7 patients while 15 of the patients had complaints of a minor nature. Home support was reported to be "none" by 4 of the 54 patients, while 40 of the patients reported "good" home support and 10 patients reported inability to sleep due to interruptions from home help support."

More papers on Discharge after Intensive Care (ICU):

• Research Paper # 94810 : "Visiting Hours in the Intensive Care Unit"
• Article Review # 115477 : "Relatives' Experiences in Intensive Care"
• Term Paper # 101758 : "Nursing in the Intensive Care Unit"

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