Background Some survivors of critical illness experience poor physical recovery, but which patients experience the most compromise during recovery is unknown. Objective To identify factors associated with physical recovery by using the 6-minute walk test in adult survivors of critical illness 26 weeks after discharge from the hospital. Methods A total of 195 adult survivors of a critical illness were enrolled in a multicenter trial of physical rehabilitation after discharge from the hospital. The 6-minute walk test, the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey, and sleep rated on a 5-point scale were completed at weeks 1 and 26. Clinical and demographic data were obtained from patient records. Results A total of 145 patients completed the 26-week test. Of these, 94 (65%) increased the distance walked in 6 minutes by at least 75 m from the 1-week value and were therefore considered to have improved on the test. Factors associated with improvement included moderate to severe sleeping problems in week 1, moderate to vigorous exercise in week 26, and higher vitality in week 26. Conversely, respiratory problems and higher social functioning in week 1 were associated with less improvement in the distance walked. Conclusion Multiple factors are associated with physical recovery after critical illness. Interventions to target multidimensional aspects of recovery such as sleep and exercise may result in improved physical function after critical illness.

Background Generally, families of critical care patients are not actively involved in the patients’ care in meaningful ways. A family-centered care model formalizes each patient and the patient’s family as the unit of care. Family-centered care comprises 3 concepts: respect, collaboration, and support. Objective To evaluate the effects on family-centered care of having critical care nurses partner with patients’ families to provide fundamental care to patients. Methods At the control site, patients’ families experienced usual care; at the intervention site, patients’ families were invited to assist with some of their relative’s fundamental care with nurses’ support. The family-centered care survey was used to measure families’ perceptions of respect, collaboration, support, and overall family care at baseline and 48 hours later. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine independent predictors of scores. Results A total of 174 family members of patients participated (75 control, 99 intervention). Total median scores on the survey were 3.2 (control) and 3.2 (intervention) at baseline and 3.2 (control) and 3.5 (intervention) at follow-up. After adjustments in the multivariate model, the family-centered care intervention was the strongest predictor of scores at 48 hours (odds ratio [OR]=1.66; P <.001). Other independent predictors included relatives with previous critical care experience (OR=1.27; P =.006) and those who were partners of the patient (OR=1.33; P =.002). Conclusion Partnering with patients’ family members to provide fundamental care to the patients significantly improved the respect, collaboration, support, and overall scores on the family-centered care survey at 48 hours.