American journal of critical care : an official publication, American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Patients' Adaptations After Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: A Qualitative Study.
Many patients confront physical, cognitive, and emotional problems after acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). No proven therapies for these problems exist, and many patients manage new disability and recovery with little formal support. Eliciting patients' adaptations to these problems after hospitalization may identify opportunities to improve recovery. ⋯ Patients employed various strategies to manage problems after ARDS. More work is needed to identify and disseminate effective strategies to patients and their families.
-
Despite a growing cohort of intensive care unit (ICU) survivors, little is known about the early ICU aftercare period. ⋯ Delirium, debility, and dysphagia are frequently encountered in early ICU aftercare, yet bed rest, dietary restriction, and lack of advance directive documentation are common. Future studies are urgently needed to characterize and address early ICU aftercare.