An exploratory study of patients' memory recall of their stay in an adult intensive therapy unit

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0964-3397(96)80435-6Get rights and content

This study carried forward an exploration to determine if there is a need to visit patients in a ward following discharge from an adult intensive therapy unit (ITU), by ascertaining what patients remember of their stay and their ability to cope with this experience.

Data were collected during interviews 48 hours following subjects' discharge from the ITU, and collated using an adaptation of thematic content analysis as described by Burnard (1991). Twenty-six subjects were studied over a 6-month period.

The findings suggest that patients have vivid recollections of their stay in an ITU, and are consistent with previous research in respect of patients continuing to experience dreams, pain, sleep deprivation and worries about transfer out of an ITU to a ward.

New themes suggest that ITU patients do not recall their ‘named nurse’, but do recall detailed explanations given to them by nurses in the ITU. Patients also believe they would benefit from a follow-up visit to discuss and clarify aspects of their stay which were unclear or are causing them concern.

References (28)

  • CoppG

    Pre-operative nursing visits

    Nursing Times

    (1989)
  • DempseyPA et al.

    Nursing Research With Basic Statistical Application

    (1992)
  • Department of Health

    Patients' Charter Standards

    (1991)
  • Department of Health

    A Vision For The Future

    (1993)
  • Cited by (49)

    • Thank you letters from patients in an intensive care unit: From the expression of gratitude to an applied ethic of care

      2017, Intensive and Critical Care Nursing
      Citation Excerpt :

      Thank you letters from patients who survived their stay in ICU provide direct and spontaneous personal accounts. Even if the patient’s experience in ICU has already been explored by several methods (semi-directive interviews, questionnaires, testimonials) (Green, 1996; Hofhuis et al., 2008; Stein-Parbury and McKinley, 2000) ICU staff may still have inaccurate perceptions of their patients’ experiences (Abuatiq, 2015; Randen et al., 2013; Schindler et al., 2013). These letters embody one facet of the patients’ experience and feelings, they nevertheless constitute a unique and relevant source of information on this topic.

    • Delirium prevention in critically ill adults through an automated reorientation intervention – A pilot randomized controlled trial

      2017, Heart and Lung: Journal of Acute and Critical Care
      Citation Excerpt :

      High stress levels and preoccupation with physical care and technology are potential explanations.26 Although most critically ill patients are sedated and many appear nonresponsive, several studies have documented that patients hear, understand and respond emotionally to what is being said even when healthcare providers assumed they were not aware.28,29 In interviews 48 h after ICU discharge, patients were not able to recall their nurse's name, but did recall detailed explanations given to them by nurses.28

    • A critical review and synthesis of qualitative research on patient experiences of critical illness

      2013, Intensive and Critical Care Nursing
      Citation Excerpt :

      The theme highlighted how the taken for granted aspects of smooth body functioning are disrupted by illness, as well as by some treatment modalities within critical care. Unsurprisingly a common symptom associated with illness and medical intervention was pain (Adamson et al., 2004; Green, 1996; Holland et al., 1997; Magarey and McCutcheon, 2005; Samuelson, 2011). The personal meaning of pain was not given thorough consideration in the studies reviewed although examples of pain and meaning were evident.

    • Memories from intensive care unit persist for several years-A longitudinal prospective multi-centre study

      2012, Intensive and Critical Care Nursing
      Citation Excerpt :

      According to the results from the study, it was mainly from the ICU period that the patients lacked memories, but the ability to remember increased, especially after the discharge from the ICU. Half of the studied group remembered being transferred to a ward after the ICU, which is similar to Green's findings from 1996 (Green, 1996). The main part of this group stated that they did not have any assertive memories from the event or the stay in hospital.

    View all citing articles on Scopus
    View full text