Development and evaluation of an interprofessional communication intervention to improve family outcomes in the ICU.

ABSTRACT: The intensive care unit (ICU), where death is common and even survivors of an ICU stay face the risk of long-term morbidity and re-admissions to the ICU, represents an important setting for improving communication about palliative and end-of-life care. Communication about the goals of care in this setting should be a high priority since studies suggest that the current quality of ICU communication is often poor and is associated with psychological distress among family members of critically ill patients. This paper describes the development and evaluation of an intervention designed to improve the quality of care in the ICU by improving communication among the ICU team and with family members of critically ill patients. We developed a multi-faceted, interprofessional intervention based on

SUBMITTER: Curtis JR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3823241 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature