Health status of ICU survivors: a pilot study

Survivorship outcomes for critically ill patients in Australia and New Zealand: A scoping review

INTRODUCTION

Impairments after critical illness, termed the post-intensive care syndrome, are an increasing focus of research in Australasia. However, this research is yet to be cohesively synthesised and/or summarised.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this scoping review was to explore patient outcomes of survivorship research, identify measures, methodologies, and designs, and explore the reported findings in Australasia.

INCLUSION CRITERIA

Studies reporting outcomes for adult survivors of critical illness from Australia and New Zealand in the following domains: physical, functional, psychosocial, cognitive, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), discharge destination, health care use, return to work, and ongoing symptoms/complications of critical illness.

METHODS

The Joanna Briggs Institute scoping review methodology framework was used. A protocol was published on the open science framework, and the search used Ovid MEDLINE, Scopus, ProQuest, and Google databases. Eligible studies were based on reports from Australia and New Zealand published in English between January 2000 and March 2022.

RESULTS

There were 68 studies identified with a wide array of study aims, methodology, and designs. The most common study type was nonexperimental cohort studies (n = 17), followed by studies using secondary analyses of other study types (n = 13). HRQoL was the most common domain of recovery reported. Overall, the identified studies reported that impairments and activity restrictions were associated with reduced HRQoL and reduced functional status was prevalent in survivors of critical illness. About 25% of 6-month survivors reported some form of disability. Usually, by 6 to12 months after critical illness, impairments had improved.

CONCLUSIONS

Reports of long-term outcomes for survivors of critical illness in Australia highlight that impairments and activity limitations are common and are associated with poor HRQoL. There was little New Zealand-specific research related to prevalence, impact, unmet needs, ongoing symptoms, complications from critical illness, and barriers to recovery.

Prevalence and experience of fatigue in survivors of critical illness: a mixed-methods systematic review

We conducted a mixed methods systematic review to investigate the prevalence, experience and management of fatigue in survivors of critical illness. We identified 76 studies investigating fatigue or vitality in adults discharged from an intensive care unit and split the extracted data into three datasets: vitality scores from the Short Form Health Survey-36 (n = 54); other quantitative data (n = 19); and qualitative data (n = 9). We assessed methodological quality using critical appraisal skills programme tools. We adopted a segregated approach to mixed-methods synthesis. In a final step, we attributed combined results to one of four qualitative themes: prevalence and severity; contributing factors; impacts on quality of life; and assessment and management. Prevalence of fatigue ranged from 13.8 to 80.9%. Short Form Health Survey-36 vitality scores were commonly used as a marker of fatigue. Vitality scores reached a nadir approximately one month following ICU discharge (mean (SD) 56.44 (32.30); 95%CI 52.92-59.97). They improved over time but seldom reached reference population scores. Associated biological, disease-related and psychological factors included age, poor pre-morbid status, sleep and psychological disturbance. Qualitative data highlight the profound negative impact of fatigue on survivors' quality of life. Survivors seldom had any information provided on the potential impact of fatigue. No fatigue assessment tools specific to critical illness or evidence-based interventions were reported. Fatigue is highly prevalent in survivors of critical illness, and negatively impacts recovery. Further research on developing fatigue assessment tools specifically for critically ill patients and evaluating the impact of pharmacological and non-pharmacology interventions is needed.

Changes in health-related quality of life after discharge from an intensive care unit: a systematic review

Quality of life after critical illness is becoming increasingly important as survival improves. Various measures have been used to study the quality of life of patients discharged from intensive care. We systematically reviewed validated measures of quality of life and their results. We searched PubMed, CENTRAL, CINAHL, Web of Science and Open Grey for studies of quality of life, measured after discharge from intensive care. We categorised studied populations as: general; restricted to level-3 care or critical care beyond 5 days; and septic patients. We included quality of life measured at any time after hospital discharge. We identified 48 studies. Thirty-one studies used the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) and 19 used the EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D); eight used both and nine used alternative validated measures. Follow-up rates ranged from 26-100%. Quality of life after critical care was worse than for age- and sex-matched populations. Quality of life improved for one year after hospital discharge. The aspects of life that improved most were physical function, physical role, vitality and social function. However, these domains were also the least likely to recover to population norms as they were more profoundly affected by critical illness.

The conceptualisation of health-related quality of life in decision-making by intensive care physicians: A qualitative inquiry

OBJECTIVES

To explore how intensive care physicians conceptualise and prioritise patient health-related quality of life in their decision-making.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY/DESIGN

General qualitative inquiry using elements of Grounded Theory. Six ICU physicians participated.

SETTING

A large, closed, mixed ICU at a university-affiliated hospital, Australia.

RESULTS

Three themes emerged: (1) Multi-dimensionality of HRQoL-HRQoL was described as difficult to understand; the patient was viewed as the best informant. Proxy information on HRQoL and health preferences was used to direct clinical care, despite not always being trusted. (2) Prioritisation of HRQoL within decision-making-this varied across the patient's health care trajectory. Premorbid HRQoL was prioritised when making admission decisions and used to predict future HRQoL. (3) Role of physician in decision-making-the physicians described their role as representing society with peers influencing their decision-making. All participants considered their practice to be similar to their peers, referring to their practice as the "middle of the road". This is a novel finding, emphasising other important influences in high-stakes decision-making.

CONCLUSION

Critical care physicians conceptualised HRQoL as a multi-dimensional subjective construct. Patient (or proxy) voice was integral in establishing patient HRQoL and future health preferences. HRQoL was important in high stakes decision-making including initiating invasive and burdensome therapies or in redirecting therapeutic goals.

Health-related quality of life in Australian survivors of critical illness

OBJECTIVE

To document health-related quality of life of an Australian sample of intensive care unit survivors 6 months after intensive care unit discharge and compare this with preadmission health-related quality of life, health-related quality of life of national population norms, and international samples of intensive care unit survivors.

DESIGN

Prospective observational single-center study.

SETTING

Eighteen-bed medical-surgical tertiary intensive care unit of an Australian metropolitan hospital.

PATIENTS

Of the 122 eligible patients, 100 were recruited (intensive care unit length of stay >48 hrs, age >18 yrs, not imminently at risk of death) and the final sample comprised 67 patients, age (median [interquartile range], 61 yrs [49-73 yrs]), 60% male admitted to the intensive care unit for a median [interquartile range] 101 hrs (68-149 hrs). Normative age- and sex-matched Australian Short-Form 36 data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, selected international cohorts of intensive care unit survivors, and their respective national age-matched normative data were included for comparison.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Sixty-seven participants provided responses to questions rating health-related quality of life (Australian Short-Form 36) at preadmission (on admission to the intensive care unit or through retrospective recall as soon as able) and 6 months after intensive care unit discharge. Ten additional participants were unable to provide study data without proxy input and were excluded from analysis. Participants reported clinically meaningful improvements in bodily pain (p = .001), social functioning (p = .03), role-emotional domains of the Short-Form 36 (p = .04), and mental component summary score (p = .01) at 6 months after intensive care unit discharge, mostly attributable to the patients undergoing cardiac surgery, whereas remaining Short-Form 36 domains showed no difference between preadmission and 6 months (p > .05). Participants reported clinically meaningful decrements in preadmission Short-Form 36 data compared with the Australian normative population with role-physical (p < .001) and physical functioning (p < .001) most affected at follow-up. Health-related quality of life in this sample was comparable with international samples of intensive care unit survivors.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the majority of health-related quality of life domains did not differ between preadmission and 6-month follow-up, participants reported significant and clinically meaningful improvements in pain and mental health at follow-up. Critical illness survivors' health-related quality of life remained within 1 sd of Australian norms at follow-up and physical function health-related quality of life was most affected. Health-related quality of life in these Australian survivors of the intensive care unit was comparable with international survivors 6 months after intensive care unit admission.

Challenges and possible solutions for long-term follow-up of patients surviving critical illness

INTRODUCTION

Surviving critical illness can be life-changing and present new healthcare challenges for patients after discharge from hospital. Optimisation of recovery, rather than mere survival, is an important goal of intensive care. Observational studies have identified decreased quality of life and increased healthcare needs for survivors but loss to follow-up can be high with possible selection bias. Patients in need of support may therefore not be included in study results or allocated appropriate follow up support.

AIM

To examine the frequency and reasons patients admitted to general ICUs who survive critical illness are excluded from study participation or lost to follow-up and consider the possible implications and solutions.

METHOD

The literature review included searches of the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CINAHL databases. Studies (2006-2010) were included if they described follow-up of survivors from general ICUs.

RESULTS

Ten studies were reviewed. Of the 3269 eligible patients, 14% died after hospital discharge, 27% declined, and 22% were lost to follow-up. Reasons for loss to follow-up included no response, inability to contact the patient, too ill or admitted to another facility.

CONCLUSION

The most appropriate method of care follow-up has yet to be established but is likely to involve an eclectic model that tailors service provision to support individual patient needs. Identifying methods to minimise loss to follow-up may enhance interpretation of patients' recovery, lead to improvements in clinical practice and inform healthcare service decisions and policy.

Patients' recovery after critical illness at early follow-up

AIM

To determine the quality of life, particularly physical function, of intensive care survivors during the early recovery process.

BACKGROUND

Survivors of critical illness face ongoing challenges after discharge from the intensive care unit and on returning home. Knowledge about health issues during early phases of recovery after hospital discharge is emerging, yet still limited.

DESIGN

Descriptive study where the former critically ill patients completed instruments on general health and quality of life (SF-36) in the first six months of recovery.

METHODS

Participants responded to the SF-36 questionnaire and questions about problems, one to six months after intensive care, either face-to-face or by telephone.

RESULTS

Thirty-nine participants had a mean age of 60 years; of them, 59% were men and had been in intensive care for 1-69 days (median = 5). Most participants (69%) rated their health as good or fair, but 54% rated general health as worse than a year ago. Mean quality of life scores for all scales ranged from 25-65.5%, with particularly low scores for Role-Physical (25) and Pain (45.1). Half the participants reported difficulty with mobility, sleep and concentration, and 72% that their responsibilities at home had changed. No relationships were found between SF-36 scores and admission diagnosis, gender, age or length of intensive care stay.

CONCLUSIONS

These survivors of critical illness and hospitalisation in an intensive care unit perceive their general health to be good despite experiencing significant physical limitations and disturbed sleep during recovery.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

Knowledge of issues in these early phases of recovery and discussion and resolution of patient problems could normalise the experience for the patient and help to facilitate better quality of life.

Healthcare Utilisation among Patients Discharged from Hospital after Intensive Care

Surviving critical illness can be life-changing and presents new healthcare challenges for patients after hospital discharge. This feasibility study aimed to examine healthcare service utilisation for patients discharged from hospital after intensive care unit stay. Following Ethics Committee approval, patients aged 18 years and older were recruited over three months. Those admitted after cardiac surgery, discharged to another facility or against medical advice were excluded. Patients were informed of the study by post and followed-up by telephone at two and six months after discharge. General practitioners were also contacted (44% responded). Among 187 patients discharged from hospital, 11 died, 25 declined to participate and 39 could not be contacted. For 112 patients (60%) who completed a survey, the majority (82%) went home from hospital and were cared for by their partner (53%). More than half of the patients (58%) reported taking the same number of medications after intensive care unit stay but 30% took more (P=0.023). While there was no change in the number of visits to the general practitioner for 64% of patients, 29% reported an increase after intensive care unit stay. At six months, 40% of responders who were not retired were unemployed. Discharge summary surveys revealed 39 general practitioners (71%) were satisfied with details of ongoing healthcare needs. Twenty-one general practitioners wrote comments: 10 reported insufficient information about ongoing needs/rehabilitation and two reported no mention of intensive care unit stay. Survivors of critical illness had increased healthcare needs and despite most returning home, had a low workforce participation rate. This requires further investigation to maximise the benefits of survival from critical illness.

Joint contractures in the intensive care unit: association with resource utilization and ambulatory status at discharge

PURPOSE

The objectives of our study were (1) to explore the link between joint contractures acquired in the ICU and the ambulatory status of patients at discharge home, to determine (2) when and how many patients received physiotherapy services in ICU and on the hospital ward, and (3) the differences in the use of hospital resources in the presence or absence of joint contractures.

METHOD

Data on ICU joint contractures were extracted from an existing contracture database containing information on 155 Canadian patients with a tertiary ICU stay of 14 days or more.

RESULTS

Of 155 patients, 115 (74.2%) received a range of motion assessment in the ICU. The assessment took place a median of 7 days (IQR 0-36) after ICU admission. Significantly fewer patients with joint contractures than without joint contractures were mobilized on the hospital ward (21/38 [55.3%] vs. 27/34 [79.4%], P = 0.03). At discharge home, more patients with joint contractures had a low ambulatory status (38 [64.4%]) compared with patients without joint contractures (26 [51.0%]; P = 0.002).

CONCLUSION

The median delay of 7 days before musculoskeletal assessment in the ICU together with failure to assess 26% of patients may have allowed the development of contractures, which affected the patients' ambulatory status at discharge from hospital.

Outcomes research in the ICU: an aid in defining the role of physiotherapy

The economic reality of consumers, funders, and regulatory agencies demanding evidence regarding the quality of care patients are receiving in the intensive care unit (ICU) will have an effect on many of the routinely used practices in ICU, including physiotherapy. Outcomes research is a method that has been used to obtain evidence for the medical and respiratory management of patients in ICU. An overview of the literature was conducted to answer the following questions: 1. What is outcomes research? 2. Which outcomes should be measured in the adult critical care environment? 3. Which outcomes are physiotherapists currently including in research reports? Outcomes research is recognized by critical care specialists as a cost-effective method of determining what works in the real world. The value of physiologic measures is questioned, whereas the importance of patient centered, economic, and traditionally accepted outcome measures is increasingly being recognized. Most physiotherapy research reports still include physiologic measurements as the primary outcome of an intervention. Outcomes research provides researchers with the tools to define the role of the physiotherapist in the critical care environment. The outcomes measured must be relevant to patients, families, and funders.

Theoretical model of coping among relatives of patients in intensive care units: a simultaneous concept analysis

This paper reports the development of a theoretical model of relatives' coping approaches during the patient's intensive care unit stay and subsequent recovery at home by performing an analysis of concepts generated from two empirically grounded, theoretical studies in this area.

BACKGROUND

When supporting relatives of intensive care unit patients, it is important that nurses have access to evidence-based knowledge of relatives' coping approaches during the period of illness and recovery.

METHOD

Simultaneous concept analysis was used to refine and combine multiple coping concepts into a theoretical model of coping. The concepts were generated in two previous empirical studies of relatives' coping approaches during mechanically ventilated patients' intensive care unit stays and recovery at home.

FINDINGS

The theoretical model was developed in 2004-2005 and illustrates the effectiveness of different coping approaches in relation to each other and to social support. Definitions summarizing each coping approach and containing the knowledge gained through the simultaneous concept analysis method were also formulated.

CONCLUSION

This middle-range theory of relatives' coping approaches may make a valuable contribution to international intensive care unit nursing practice, especially as it is based on empirical studies and may therefore serve as a basis for the development of future clinical guidelines. However, the theoretical model needs to be empirically validated before it can be used.

Proxy respondents reliably assessed the quality of life of elective cardiac surgery patients

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

The level of agreement between index and proxy respondents on assessment of health status of clinical cohorts is variable. There is limited information regarding agreement between cardiac surgery patients and their proxies, and levels of agreement examined across repeated measures. This study examined the level of agreement between index and proxy respondents' perceptions of the patient's health status prior to and following cardiac surgery.

METHODS

A prospective, paired-respondent, repeated measures observational study of elective cardiac surgical patients and their next of kin, from the cardiac surgical unit of a tertiary hospital in Sydney, Australia. Health status domains were examined using the15D and SF-36 instruments at three points: prior to surgery, at hospital discharge, and at 6 months post discharge.

RESULTS

Moderate to good level of agreement was noted for physical function (physical functioning, role functioning-physical, mobility, breathing, speech, hearing, usual activities, sexual activities) and some psychosocial dimensions (role functioning-emotional, sleeping, depression, mental health). Agreement was highest for presurgery and 6 months post discharge. Differences in scores were not clinically important.

CONCLUSION

Proxy respondents can reliably assess the quality of life of a cardiac surgical patient using 15D or SF-36, particularly for domains reflecting physical function.

Quality of life in adult survivors of critical illness: a systematic review of the literature

OBJECTIVE

To determine how the quality of life (QOL) of intensive care unit (ICU) survivors compares with the general population, changes over time, and is predicted by baseline characteristics.

DESIGN

Systematic literature review including MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and Cochrane Library. Eligible studies measured QOL > or = 30 days after ICU discharge using the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short Form (SF-36), EuroQol-5D, Sickness Impact Profile, or Nottingham Health Profile in representative populations of adult ICU survivors. Disease-specific studies were excluded.

MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS

Of 8,894 citations identified, 21 independent studies with 7,320 patients were reviewed. Three of three studies found that ICU survivors had significantly lower QOL prior to admission than did a matched general population. During post-discharge follow-up, ICU survivors had significantly lower QOL scores than the general population in each SF-36 domain (except bodily pain) in at least four of seven studies. Over 1-12 months of follow-up, at least two of four studies found clinically meaningful improvement in each SF-36 domain except mental health and general health perceptions. A majority of studies found that age and severity of illness predicted physical functioning.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with the general population, ICU survivors report lower QOL prior to ICU admission. After hospital discharge, QOL in ICU survivors improves but remains lower than general population levels. Age and severity of illness are predictors of physical functioning. This systematic review provides a general understanding of QOL following critical illness and can serve as a standard of comparison for QOL studies in specific ICU subpopulations.

Examining discharge outcomes and health status of critically ill patients: some practical considerations

This prospective observational study examined the outcomes of 200 consecutive admissions to an adult tertiary level Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Eligible and consenting participants were also involved in a sub-study that examined health status at four measurement points from pre-illness to 6 months post-discharge. Of the 189 individual patients admitted, 23% died in ICU and 57% were discharged home. The health status sub-study enrolled 34 participants (39% of eligible patients) who were representative of the ICU population for demographic and clinical variables. Surviving participants returned to a similar, though not identical state of health at 6 months post-discharge, when compared to their pre-ICU health-state using the 15D and SF-36 instruments. Health status at ICU discharge was significantly impaired when compared to other measurement points, particularly for mobility, breathing, eating, usual activities and vitality. A number of methodological challenges were evident, particularly for the health status sub-study, including prospective subject recruitment and retention, losses to follow-up and instrument responsiveness. Despite the limitations noted, the study provided useful findings and recommendations for the continued development of methods to examine the health status of critically ill patients.

Coping strategies of relatives when an adult next-of-kin is recovering at home following critical illness

The trend within the Swedish healthcare system is to reduce the duration of hospital care. This means that a patient who is discharged to their home after critical illness is highly likely to be functionally impaired, and therefore, requires care-giving assistance from a family member. The aim of this study was to generate a theoretical model with regard to relatives' coping when faced with the situation of having an adult next-of-kin recovering at home after critical illness. The design incorporated grounded theory methodology. Four coping strategies exhibiting different characteristics were identified: volunteering, accepting, modulating and sacrificing. Factors determining the choice of coping strategy were the physical and psychological status of the relative, previous experience of ICU-care and the psychological status of the patient. The theoretical model described in this article can contribute to expanding healthcare professionals' understanding of the coping strategies of relatives during recovery, but also provide inspiration for social action to be taken.

Follow-up after intensive care: a single center study

OBJECTIVES

To study health problems, quality of life, functional status, and memory after intensive care.

SETTING

Adult patients ( n=346) discharged from a university hospital ICU.

DESIGN AND METHODS

Prospective cohort study. Follow-up patients were found using the ICU database and the Peoples Registry. Quality of life (QOL) was measured with the Short Form 36 (SF-36) 6 months after ICU discharge. Semi-structured interviews, questionnaires, Glasgow Outcome Score (recovery), and Karnofsky Index (functional status) were used at consultations 7-8 months after ICU discharge.

RESULTS

The SF-36 response rate was 64.5%, with scores significantly lower than population scores. Consultation patients ( n=136) did not differ from the rest ( n=210) regarding age, SAPS II scores, length of stay (LOS), and reasons for ICU admission. At follow-up 67.6% of consultation patients continued most activities, 75% looked after themselves, and 64.7% were non-workers, compared to 40.4% before the ICU admission. During and after the ICU stay, 40% lost more than 10 kg body weight. Fifty-eight (43%) could not remember anything from their ICU stay. At follow-up only 22 (16%) could remember having received information during their ICU stay. Three patients needed referral to other specialties.

CONCLUSIONS

We should focus more on optimizing symptom management and giving repeated information after ICU discharge. Nutritional status and weight loss is another area of concern. More research is needed to find out how the broad range of psychosocial and physical problems following an ICU stay relates to the stay.

Family carers of ICU survivors: a survey of the burden they experience

Intensive care unit (ICU) survivors may experience deterioration in their quality of life for months following their return home, with families assuming a caregiving role. The aim of this study was to measure the burden associated with caring for a family member who had been critically ill. The study also sought to describe the relationship between three factors (filial obligation, social support, self-efficacy) and caregiver burden. Seventy-one family carers, 51 females (72%) and 20 (28%) males of long-term intensive care patients completed a mailed survey, after signing an informed consent form. Although the vast majority of the caregivers were providing substantial number of hours of care each week, they scored lower than the midpoint on all caregiver burden inventory subscales. Filial obligation was found to be positively associated with caregiver burden; however, there was no association between social support, self-efficacy and caregiver burden. Male caregivers experienced significantly more burden than female caregivers. The findings suggest that an understanding of the factors that impact on caregiver burden of families of ICU survivors is only beginning to emerge.

Following the path of ICU survivors: a quality-improvement activity

Recent interest in continuity of care has meant that the illness trajectory experienced by intensive care unit (ICU) patients has received more attention. Using continuous quality improvement as a framework, this paper describes information obtained during a 3-year period relating to ICU patients' long-term experiences after being discharged from hospital. This information identified that most participants had been discharged home but that many experienced problems with mobility, disability and fatigue. Changes in employment status and the need for financial assistance were noted. As a result of the information provided by this activity, clinical practice has changed and a number of formal research studies have been undertaken.