Providing patients with information can alleviate or reduce relocation stress, but how best to provide information to patients being discharged from critical care units is unclear. This narrative critical review describes (1) the current evidence base on the use of discharge information for adult critical care patients and (2) the extent of involvement of service users in the design and evaluation of such information. Seven publications reported data from 121 patients, 252 relatives, and 33 nurses. Overall evidence was of low quality but use of individualized information was associated with beneficial physical effects for patients and increased knowledge and satisfaction for their relatives. Findings highlight the significant gaps in our knowledge and understanding. The consequences of such findings for the future development of information that meets service users’ needs are discussed. Results should inform the design of future studies on this topic.
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1 June 2013
Feature|
June 01 2013
Effectiveness of Critical Care Discharge Information in Supporting Early Recovery From Critical Illness
Suzanne Bench, MSc, PGDipHE, BSc (Hons), RGN;
Suzanne Bench is pursuing a doctorate in nursing, exploring the potential for user-centered critical care discharge information to enhance early recovery from critical illness.
Corresponding author: Suzanne Bench, msc, pgdiphe, bsc (hons), rgn, Florence Nightingale School of Nursing and Midwifery, King’s College, 57 Waterloo Road, London, SE1 8WA, UK (e-mail: [email protected]).
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Tina Day, PhD, MSc, BSc (Hons), RN, Cert Ed RNT;
Tina Day, PhD, MSc, BSc (Hons), RN, Cert Ed RNT
Tina Day is a lecturer in critical care nursing. Her clinical practice, teaching, and research interests are in the field of critical care nursing, with a specific interest in tracheal suctioning and respiratory care.
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Peter Griffiths, PhD;
Peter Griffiths, PhD
Peter Griffiths is a professor and chair of health services research at the University of Southampton. His research has focused on increasing the effectiveness of nursing work and the nursing workforce in a range of specialties.
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Crit Care Nurse (2013) 33 (3): 41–52.
Citation
Suzanne Bench, Tina Day, Peter Griffiths, BA (Hons); Effectiveness of Critical Care Discharge Information in Supporting Early Recovery From Critical Illness. Crit Care Nurse 1 June 2013; 33 (3): 41–52. doi: https://doi.org/10.4037/ccn2013134
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