Caregivers perception of the implementation of an ICU diary

S Cabon,Jp Mira,J Charpentier,J Garcia,N Ericher,A Pileyre,L Gidel,F Pène,C Brunie,H Lanclas,As Debue,N Asselie

doi:10.1186/2197-425x-3-s1-a653

Abstract

Prolonged stays in ICU generate anxiety for vulnerable patients and family members and are often associated with PTSD. The use of an ICU diary in which families and caregivers write about the milestones of the patient's stay in the ICU has been proposed as an aid to fill in gaps in patients' memories. Still, caregivers have not widely adopted the keeping of ICU diaries and provision of an ICU diary remains a rare event in European ICUs.

Highlights

Prolonged stays in ICU generate anxiety for vulnerable patients and family members and are often associated with PTSD
The ICU diary was perceived as a useful tool for communication with the patient and its family for respectively 66% and 49% of respondents
Thirty-three per cent of caregivers replied that filling the ICU diary should be part of routine care

Summary

Objectives

We conducted a survey to assess caregivers expectations or fears and identify potential barriers to the implementation of an ICU diary project in our medical ICU.

Methods

Results

Conclusion