V Karlsson1, A Forsberg, I Bergbom. 1. Department of Intensive Care Unit, Skaraborgssjukhus Skövde, The Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Göteborg, Sweden. veronika.karlsson@vgregion.se
Abstract
BACKGROUND: In recent years, light or no sedation has become a common approach to invasive mechanical ventilation in patients with respiratory distress. The experience of visiting a conscious patient receiving mechanical ventilation in the ICU has to our knowledge not yet been investigated. AIM: The aim of the study was to describe the meaning attributed by relatives to their experiences of meeting, seeing and communicating with a patient cared for on a mechanical ventilator while conscious. METHOD: This study used a prospective, exploratory design comprising interviews with ten relatives conducted on two occasions; in connection with their visits to a patient cared for on a ventilator while conscious and approximately a week after the end of intensive care. The data were analysed by means of hermeneutic interpretation to obtain a deeper understanding of relatives' experiences. RESULTS: Striving to achieve contact with the patient was the most important aspect of being a close relative of a patient receiving ventilator treatment while conscious and was described by four main themes: feeling ambivalent towards consciousness; feeling ambivalent towards sedation; feeling dependent on the carer and being disappointed; and suppressing own suffering and sadness. CONCLUSION: The patients' consciousness enabled the relatives to judge their condition for themselves and enter into contact. This resulted in a sense of being in control but also efforts to suppress own suffering. Copyright 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
BACKGROUND: In recent years, light or no sedation has become a common approach to invasive mechanical ventilation in patients with respiratory distress. The experience of visiting a conscious patient receiving mechanical ventilation in the ICU has to our knowledge not yet been investigated. AIM: The aim of the study was to describe the meaning attributed by relatives to their experiences of meeting, seeing and communicating with a patient cared for on a mechanical ventilator while conscious. METHOD: This study used a prospective, exploratory design comprising interviews with ten relatives conducted on two occasions; in connection with their visits to a patient cared for on a ventilator while conscious and approximately a week after the end of intensive care. The data were analysed by means of hermeneutic interpretation to obtain a deeper understanding of relatives' experiences. RESULTS: Striving to achieve contact with the patient was the most important aspect of being a close relative of a patient receiving ventilator treatment while conscious and was described by four main themes: feeling ambivalent towards consciousness; feeling ambivalent towards sedation; feeling dependent on the carer and being disappointed; and suppressing own suffering and sadness. CONCLUSION: The patients' consciousness enabled the relatives to judge their condition for themselves and enter into contact. This resulted in a sense of being in control but also efforts to suppress own suffering. Copyright 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.