Intensive care experience among intensive care unit survivors

Introduction: Critically ill patients need advanced support to remain alive and prevent serious complications. However, patients may experience either pleasant or unpleasant memories during their stay in Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Unpleasant experiences can affect patients or lead to later negative consequences. Critical care nurses have a pivotal role in identifying traumatic experiences in order to improve care. Objective: This study aims to explore the intensive care experiences among ICU survivors. Methods: This study was conducted in the general wards of three selected hospitals in Malaysia. One hundred and forty-two (142) samples who were transferred out from the ICU agreed to take part in this study. Data were collected using the Intensive Care Experience Questionnaire which includes additional questions that covered four domains: awareness of surroundings, frightening experiences, recall of experiences, and satisfaction with care. Results: The results of the study show that 50% of the sample reported a high awareness of their surroundings. The less aware group reported not being aware of people, place and time. About 67.6% of the sample reported high levels of frightening experiences. Pain experienced by the samples came from medical procedures or by disease process. Only 17.6% of samples reported being able to recall precisely what happened in the ICU. Samples recalled seeing scary things but having enough sleep in the ICU. The results showed that 43.0% of the sample reported being highly satisfied with their care, and claimed that the staffs were kind and delivered best care to the patients. Conclusion: The result indicated that critically ill patients, especially in the ICU, need strong support physically and psychologically in order to minimize unpleasant experiences and later negative consequences, by providing a conducive environment and care with sympathise concern