Relatives of patients in intensive care are strongly affected by the events, hopes and fears and are correspondingly burdened. They often have to make decisions on behalf of patients. In this study, a nursing-led support program for relatives and families of seriously ill patients in the intensive care unit is being implemented and tested for its effectiveness.
Aim of the study
The study aims to find out whether active support of relatives by a responsible family caregiver in close collaboration with the treatment team improves family participation, communication and care. It is also being investigated whether this nursing support and guidance helps families to cope better with the critical illness and whether it reduces their psychological stress. To this end, a nursing-led support program is being introduced in eight intensive care units in German-speaking Switzerland. In comparison, eight other intensive care units continue to provide the same level of care. Relatives are regularly interviewed in writing about their experiences and health. The results are compared.
Who can take part?
Relatives of patients in the intensive care unit
Procedure
Relatives of critically ill people in the intervention arm receive the family support care intervention in addition to the usual care. The intervention consists of (1) support for relatives by family caregivers at certain times during the patient's intensive care stay and afterwards as part of follow-up care (nursing family interventions), and (2) coordination and liaison of interprofessional care and structured communication with families. The intervention is based on a family systems approach and guideline-based recommendations for family involvement and support in the intensive care unit. For comparison, the usual care for relatives of patients in the intensive care units of the control arm will be continued. Usual care is defined as a non-protocolized approach to family care that was an established component of care in the ICU in question prior to the start of the study.
Compensation
None
Original study name
A multicenter, cluster-randomized superiority trial of a guideline-based family support intervention in intensive care units
BASEC number
2021-02300
Sponsors
Swiss National Science Foundation (application number 33IC30_198778)