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Critically ill patients experience overwhelming communication problems; caused by intubation and cognitive, sensory or language deficits that distance the patients from communicating their needs and wants from nurses and loved ones. The purpose of this study was to explore communication patterns and strategies with the aim of implementing intervention strategies for nurse/patient communication in the intensive care units. The American Association of Critical Care Nurses’ Synergy Model for Patient Care was used to guide the study. A mixed method approach using quasi-experimental design combining quantitative and qualitative data collections and analysis was used. Concurrent data collection for quantitative and qualitative data was used. Auditing of patient’s files, protocols, family counselling conference and in-service books and a survey for nurses was used for quantitative data. Qualitative data collection was through interviewing nurses and nurse managers. Lack of documentation and use of other communication strategies were the key findings of the study. In accordance with the model used for the study clinical judgment and moral distress were found to be common among nurses. Lack of collaboration between nurses and other health care workers was also attributed to poor communication with mechanically ventilated patients. Conclusions derived from the study are that nurses need to be supported through informal and formal training on documentation and use of communication methods available / Health Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)

Purpose: Interpersonal communication is one of the most important abilities and skills in everyday life. But when patient's communication ability is limited due to endotracheal or tracheostomy tube insertion, the patient, who had communicated verbally, is not able to convey their feelings, needs and wishes anymore. The purpose of this thesis is to help improve communication skills of nurses in the area of communication with conscious, unconscious and analgosedated patients whose airways are intubated. Methods: The survey has form of quantitative research, the questionnaire method was used. Research data was obtained from a total of 144 nurses working at resuscitation departments at four hospitals in Prague. Results: By studying this issue, it has been found nurses have trouble communicating with intubated patients. The most difficult communication is with conscious patients, who are intubated by endotracheal tube. Communicating with patients with impaired consciousness is also very problematic. Conclusion: Despite the fact, that communication with intubated patients is inherently difficult, more than half of the respondents have never been educated about how to communicate with these patients. Not only but also to address this issue, the outcome of this thesis is information brochure with...

Deconditioning occurs in critically ill patients as early as 4 days after entering the intensive care unit (ICU) resulting in a loss of up to 25% peripheral muscle tone and 18% body weight by the time the patient is discharged. Early mobility (EM) has been shown to reduce complications such as neuromuscular weakness, muscle wasting, pneumonia, and the effects of prolonged periods of time on the ventilator. No formal education on EM had been provided to nurses at the clinical site. The purpose of this project was to develop an educational program on EM to promote early ambulation of critically ill ICU patients. The theory of knowledge to action was used to guide the development of the educational program. The practice-focused question addressed whether an educational program would improve nurses' perceptions of their knowledge of EM and if they would promote the use of EM among ICU patients. After a literature review to identify evidence-based practices and a protocol on EM, an educational program was developed that included a 25-item Likert-style pretest and posttest to measure percent agreement with perceptions of knowledge gained and likelihood of behavior change related to the practice of EM. Participants included 60 ICU nurses. Results demonstrated improvement in perceptions of knowledge of EM (from 74% before education to 88% after) and in likelihood of behavior change related to EM (from 69% before education to 91% after). Findings may be used to integrate EM into the ICU setting to reduce complications such as neuromuscular weakness, muscle wasting, and pneumonia. Results may also include improved patient outcomes, reduced length of stay, and increased quality of life for patients and their families, and thereby promote positive social change.

Critically ill patients experience overwhelming communication problems; caused by intubation and cognitive, sensory or language deficits that distance the patients from communicating their needs and wants from nurses and loved ones. The purpose of this study was to explore communication patterns and strategies with the aim of implementing intervention strategies for nurse/patient communication in the intensive care units. The American Association of Critical Care Nurses’ Synergy Model for Patient Care was used to guide the study. A mixed method approach using quasi-experimental design combining quantitative and qualitative data collections and analysis was used. Concurrent data collection for quantitative and qualitative data was used. Auditing of patient’s files, protocols, family counselling conference and in-service books and a survey for nurses was used for quantitative data. Qualitative data collection was through interviewing nurses and nurse managers. Lack of documentation and use of other communication strategies were the key findings of the study. In accordance with the model used for the study clinical judgment and moral distress were found to be common among nurses. Lack of collaboration between nurses and other health care workers was also attributed to poor communication with mechanically ventilated patients. Conclusions derived from the study are that nurses need to be supported through informal and formal training on documentation and use of communication methods available / Health Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)