12^th Nursing and Healthcare Congress

Biography

Biography: Jeitziner, Marie-Madlen

Abstract

As older patients increasingly survive intensive care unit hospitalization, the long-term quality of life is also an significant outcome. Therefore, this presentation investigates the health-related quality of life; an important outcome for assessing ICU treatment, and assisting patients, relatives and healthcare professionals in selecting treatment decisions one year after an ICU stay. A prospective non-randomised longitudinal study investigated the health-related quality-of-life of older patients. The Short Form Health Survey 36 was administered 1 week after an ICU stay (retrospective baseline), and after 6 and 12 months to the study population and to an age-matched comparison group at recruitment (baseline), and after 6 and 12 months. Demographic data, admission diagnosis, length of stay, severity of illness, pain, anxiety, agitation, and intratracheal suctioning, turning and intubation were recorded. Recruitment period: December 2008 to April 2011. Health-related quality of life was significantly lower than the comparison group, both before and after the ICU stay, and showed great individual variability. Within group scores, however, were stable. Both physical and mental health scores were lower for the older patients. Renal failure, cardiac surgery and illness severity were associated with lower physical health scores. Cardiovascular illness, intratracheal suctioning and turning were associated with lower mental health scores. After discharge older patients with severe illnesses, cardiac surgery or acute renal failure need additional support. Discharge planning should ensure that support. The development and utilisation of methods to reduce distress during routine intensive care interventions such as intratracheal suctioning or turning is needed.