Developing an electronic ICU specific minimum dataset by examining current team leader nursing handover content

Abstract

Introduction: Health related quality of life (HRQOL) is often reported to be low in survivors of ICU. Factors associated with HRQOL need further investigation. Objective: To identify factors associated with former ICU patients’ HRQOL six months after hospital discharge. Methods: Patients (n=193) from three ICUs of a tertiary referral hospital completed the Short Form-36 (SF-36) HRQOL health survey six months after discharge, together with measures of sleep (ICU, ward, two and six months after discharge), Intensive Care Experience Questionnaire, Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales, and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist. Clinical and demographic data were obtained from hospital records. Norm-based scores were calculated for the SF-36. Following descriptive statistics, bivariate tests of association with SF-36 scores were tested with Pearson’s r or Chi-square. Multiple linear regression was used to identify independent associations with HRQOL. Results: Respondents were 59.0±16.2 years old, 35% were female; main reasons for ICU admission were cardiovascular (43%) and neurological (22%). All scores on the SF-36 were below population norms; the Physical Component Summary was 41.8±11.7 and Mental Component Summary 48.2±11.0. Significant bivariate associations with HRQOL (p< .05) were APACHE II (r=−.187), hospital length of stay (r=−.330), ICEQ Awareness of surroundings (r= .170) and Frightening experiences (r=−.198), depression (r=−.289), anxiety (r=−.350), stress (r=−.215), post-traumatic symptoms (r=−.331) and sleep quality at two months (r=−.346) and six months (r=−.456). Linear regression showed that APACHE II, hospital length of stay and sleep quality at sixmonthswere independently associated with SF-36 Physical Summary (p< .0005); depression and stress were independently associated with Mental Summary scores (p< .0005). Conclusion: Severity of illness and hospital length of stay continue to bepredictors ofHRQOL sixmonths after hospital discharge.