The paradox of workplace violence in the intensive care unit: a focus group study.

BACKGROUND: Conflicts with patients and relatives occur frequently in intensive care units (ICUs), driven by factors that are intensified by critical illness and its treatments. A majority of ICU healthcare professionals have experienced verbal and/or physical violence. There is a need to understand how healthcare professionals in ICUs experience and manage this workplace violence. METHODS: A qualitative descriptive analysis of four hospitals in Sweden was conducted using semi-structured focus-group interviews with ICU healthcare professionals. RESULTS: A total of 34 participants (14 nurses, 6 physicians and 14 other staff) were interviewed across the four hospitals. The overarching theme: "The paradox of violence in healthcare" illustrated a normalisation of violence in ICU care and indicated a complex association between healthcare professionals regarding violence as an integral aspect of caregiving, while simultaneously identifying themselves as victims of this violence. The healthcare professionals described being poorly prepared and lacking appropriate tools to manage violent situations. The management of violence was therefore mostly based on self-taught skills. CONCLUSIONS: This study contributes to understanding the normalisation of violence in ICU care and gives a possible explanation for its origins. The paradox involves a multifaceted approach that acknowledges and confronts the structural and cultural dimensions of violence in healthcare. Such an approach will lay the foundations for a more sustainable healthcare system.

"Putting words to their feelings"- civic communicators' perceptions and experiences of an in-depth course on mental health for newly settled refugee migrants in Sweden.

BACKGROUND: Newly settled refugee migrants face psychological stressors stemming from pre-, during- and post-migration experiences. In Sweden, mental health promotion is part of the health module in the civic orientation classes for newly settled refugee migrants. Training courses are offered to civic communicators and workshop leaders to facilitate communication about mental health; however, the training is seldom evaluated. In the current study, we aim to explore civic communicators' perceptions and experiences of an in-depth mental health training course in relation to observed needs among newly settled refugee migrants. METHOD: We interviewed ten civic communicators that had partaken in the in-depth training course on mental health. All respondents had prior migratory experience and worked as civic communicators in their native languages. The interviews were semi-structured and data were analyzed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Three themes were identified: (1) Intertwined mental health needs related to migration, (2) Multi-layered barriers to addressing mental health, and (3) Becoming aware of the mental health journey. One overarching theme was arrived at through synthesizing the three themes 'Acquired new tools to lead reflective conversations about mental health and well-being'. CONCLUSION: The in-depth mental health training course led to the attainment of new knowledge and new tools enabling civic communicators to lead reflective conversations about mental health and well-being with newly settled refugee migrants. Mental health needs were related to pre- and post-migration experiences. Barriers to talking about mental health included stigma and a lack of arenas to promote the mental health of refugee migrants. Increasing knowledge among civic communicators can facilitate the promotion of mental self-help capacity and resilience among newly settled refugee migrants.

Family involvement in the intensive care unit in four Nordic countries.

BACKGROUND: Relevance to clinical practice The findings from the study highlighting family involvement, high-quality communication and flexible visiting policy as central aspects of family care may inspire clinicians to identify aspects of everyday family care in their ICUs calling for further improvement. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To describe family involvement, communication practices and visiting policies in adult ICUs. DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey. METHOD: A questionnaire consisting of 11 sections was developed, pilot tested and e-mailed to 196 ICUs. The participants were intensive care nurses in adult ICUs in four Nordic countries. RESULTS: The survey was conducted in October to December 2019. The response rate was 81% (158/196) of the invited ICUs. Most of the units had fewer than 11 beds. Family participation in patient care, including involvement in ward rounds and presence during cardiopulmonary resuscitation, varied between the countries, whereas most families in all countries were involved in decision-making. Family conferences were generally initiated by staff or family members. Children under 18 did not always receive information directly from the staff, and parents were not advised about how to inform their children. Although most respondents described open visiting, restrictions were also mentioned in free-text comments. CONCLUSIONS: The level of family care in ICUs in the four Nordic countries is generally based on nurses' discretion. Although most Nordic ICUs report having an open or flexible visiting policy, a wide range of potential restrictions still exists. Children and young relatives are not routinely followed up. Family members are included in communication and decision-making, whereas family involvement in daily care, ward rounds and family-witnessed resuscitation seem to be areas with a potential for improvement.

Understanding the needs and use of sexual and reproductive health services among Thai women: a descriptive cross-sectional study in Sweden.

Background Immigrants are at increased risk of HIV infection in Europe and at risk of delayed diagnosis. In Sweden, Thailand belongs to one of the three most common countries of origin among immigrants diagnosed with HIV. This study investigated the need and use of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services among Thai women residing in Sweden. Use of contraceptives and HIV testing in Thailand was also investigated to understand if this influences utilisation of SRH services in Sweden. METHODS: A cross-sectional study using postal questionnaire to all Thai-born women (age 23-60) in Stockholm, residing in Sweden since 2014. The response rate was 52.3% (n= 266). Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used. RESULTS: The majority reported a significant need for information related to SRH services. Most of the women using contraception (70%) bought their contraceptives in Thailand. In total, 60% of the women had been HIV-tested at some point in their lives; the majority were tested in Thailand. Women who had been HIV-tested in Thailand were more likely to also have been tested in Sweden. Significant differences in contraception use, participation in contraceptive counselling and having had an HIV test were found between groups of younger and older women. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings imply that age is an important factor to understand women's need and use of SRH services in Sweden versus Thailand. Furthermore, women's lack of knowledge and reported need for SRH information needs to be considered when making policies and strategies to increase access to SRH services.

Patients´ experiences of pain in the intensive care - The delicate balance of control.

AIM: To explore the patients´ experiences of pain when being cared for in the intensive care. DESIGN: An exploratory, qualitative design was chosen. METHOD: Interviews were performed with patients (October 2015-March 2017) within a week of post-intensive care (N = 16). Thematic analysis was used as method for analysis. RESULTS: The findings generated two themes - a lack of control and to struggle for control. Pain was described as overwhelming, both in body and mind and generating the experience of a lack of control, with feelings of incapacitation, isolation, and having their needs unmet. Feeling in control of the pain and thus in control of the situation was experienced as a constant struggle. Well-planned care, finding ways to handle the pain and good communication were all helpful in this struggle. CONCLUSION: The participants recalled their experience of pain in the ICU and control seems to be crucial for how pain is experienced. They experienced a lack of control due to not only the pain but also the treatment, which can be avoided by the nurse continuously evaluating and individualising the care. Balanced care, meeting the patients' needs and good communication helps the patient feel more in control when experiencing pain. IMPACT: The experience of pain is dependent on control for the intensive care patient. The nurse may help them gain control and thereby handle the experience of pain through including the patient, striving for better communication and implementing individualised care that continuously assesses and treats pain.

Family-centred end-of-life care and bereavement services in Swedish intensive care units: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Post-intensive care syndrome-family is a common problem in relatives of patients who die in an intensive care unit. Family-centred end-of-life care with support for the family during and after the death is supposed to prevent suffering and avoid illness. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate family-centred end-of-life care and bereavement follow-up services offered to family members of patients who die in Swedish intensive care units. DESIGN, METHODS: A cross-sectional study using a 16-question survey based on family-centred end-of-life care was sent to all 81 adult intensive care units. Data were analysed by descriptive statistics and chi-square. Respondents were able to add individual comments to the questionnaire. RESULTS: Although the majority (76.7%) offered some kind of follow up, this service was not always offered. Modes for invitation, timing, and contents in the follow up varied between the units. The staff tried to individualize the follow-up service according to the family's needs. Nurses and social workers were the only professionals who provided follow-up conversations on their own. Most of the intensive care units (97.3%) kept diaries that were handed over to the family when they left the unit after the patient's death or at a follow-up visit. Only 8.8% reported that they always offer the family the opportunity to be present during resuscitation. Most respondents reported that patients (60.6%) died in a private room. CONCLUSIONS: Family-centred end-of-life care varied among the intensive care units, and some families were not offered any follow up at all. Timing, invitation, and elements in the follow up differ between the units. Diaries were commonly kept and usually given to the family. Few units offered the family to be present during resuscitation. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: There is a need for national guidelines to ensure that all bereaved families receive equal and individual family-centred end-of-life care.

Healthcare-seeking behaviour in relation to sexual and reproductive health among Thai-born women in Sweden: a qualitative study.

Thailand is one of the most common countries of origin among immigrants in Sweden and Thai immigrants comprise the immigrant group most frequently diagnosed with HIV. Little is known about their healthcare-seeking behaviour and views on HIV prevention. This study explored Thai women's healthcare-seeking behaviour in relation to sexual and reproductive health and their views on HIV prevention. Nineteen in-depth interviews were conducted with Thai-born women in the Stockholm area. Three themes were identified: (1) poor access to healthcare in Sweden, preferring to seek care in Thailand; (2) partners playing a key role in women's access to healthcare; (3) no perceived risk of HIV, but a positive attitude towards prevention. Despite expressing sexual and reproductive healthcare needs, most women had not sought this type of care, except for the cervical cancer screening programme to which they had been invited. Identified barriers for poor access to healthcare were lack of knowledge about the healthcare system and language difficulties. To achieve 'healthcare on equal terms', programmes and interventions must meet Thai women's healthcare needs and consider what factors influence their care-seeking behaviour. Integrating HIV prevention and contraceptive counselling into the cervical screening programme might be one way to improve access.

Knowledge and utilization of sexual and reproductive healthcare services among Thai immigrant women in Sweden.

BACKGROUND: Migration from Thailand to Sweden has increased threefold over the last 10 years. Today Thailand is one of the most common countries of origin among immigrants in Sweden. Since the year 2000, new HIV cases are also more prevalent among Thai immigrants compared to other immigrant nationalities in Sweden. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between knowledge and utilization of sexual and reproductive healthcare services, contraceptive knowledge and socio-demographic characteristics and social capital among Thai immigrant women in Sweden. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study using a postal questionnaire to all Thai women (18-64) in two Swedish regions, who immigrated to the country between 2006 and 2011. The questionnaire was answered by 804 women (response rate 62.3 %). Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used. RESULTS: The majority (52.1 %) of Thai women had poor knowledge of where they should turn when they need sexual and reproductive healthcare services. After controlling for potential confounders, living without a partner (OR = 2.02, CI: 1.16-3.54), having low trust in others (OR = 1.61, CI: 1.10-2.35), having predominantly bonding social capital (OR = 1.50, CI: 1.02-2.23) and belonging to the oldest age group (OR = 2.65, CI: 1.32-5.29) were identified as risk factors for having poor knowledge. The majority (56.7 %) had never been in contact with healthcare services to get advice on contraception, and about 75 % had never been HIV/STI tested in Sweden. Low utilization of healthcare was associated with poor knowledge about healthcare services (OR = 6.07, CI: 3.94-9.34) and living without a partner (OR = 2.53, CI: 1.30-4.90). Most Thai women had knowledge of how to prevent an unwanted pregnancy (91.6 %) and infection with HIV/STI (91.1 %). CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicate that social capital factors such as high trust in others and predominantly bridging social capital promote access to knowledge about healthcare services. However, only one-fourth of the women had been HIV/STI tested, and due to the HIV prevalence among Thai immigrants in Sweden, policy makers and health professionals need to include Thai immigrants in planning health promotion efforts and healthcare interventions.

Clinical experience and incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia using closed versus open suction-system.

BACKGROUND: Studies have shown a decreasing ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) incidence after prophylactic interventions bundles. The use of closed suction systems (CSS) has been suggested beneficial as a prophylactic measure. AIM: To investigate the effects of a CSS on VAP incidence, suction circuit contamination and adverse events (AEs) compared to an open suction system (OSS) approach in a general mixed intensive care unit (ICU). METHODS: Adult patients on mechanical ventilation were consecutively included. Data were collected during four 1-month periods where CSS and OSS were used on an alternating basis. Airway cultures were obtained at intubation, after 72 h and every Monday. After changing CSS and at extubation, the catheter tip was cultured. AEs and desaturation events during suction were monitored. ANALYSE: Descriptive analysis and differences between the groups were analysed using comparative methods. RESULTS: No differences in airway colonization at admission between the groups were detected (Table 2). The CSS group had a higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAPS) III and also a non-significant increase in VAP incidence. Positive cultures were obtained in 50% of all the retrieved CSS catheters. There was no inter-patient contamination in either group. Six AEs versus one (CSS/OSS) related to tube-occlusion and secretion clogging was seen. Desaturations at suctioning were rare in both groups. CONCLUSION: No beneficial effects were seen on VAP incidence or inter-patient contamination compared to OSS. A high frequency of circuit contamination in the CSS group paralleled with experienced secretions clearance problems seem unfavourable and in concordance with previous studies.

Preferred content and usefulness of a photodiary as described by ICU-patients--a mixed method analysis.

UNLABELLED: Many ICU-patients have memory-gaps which may affect their recovery. A tool in the recovery can be an ICU-diary to explain and clarify thoughts and events from the ICU-period. There are different standards for the content in the ICU-diary. The aim of this study was to identify the preferred content and usefulness of an ICU-diary as described by ICU-patients. METHOD: A descriptive, exploratory cohort design with a mixed method approach. The patients answered a questionnaire (n=115) and participated in an interview (n=15) six months after the ICU-stay. Data analysis was carried out in three stages; the questionnaire was analysed by descriptive statistics and categorised by content (four open-ended questions) and the interviews were analysed by manifest content analysis. RESULTS: The patients were explained that detailed information about daily activities and medical facts had to be included to understand and give a sense of coherence of what had happened. The content in the ICU-diary had to be chronological in order to follow the process in which photos were an important part. The patients re-read the ICU-diary during the recovery which helped them to fill in the memory gaps and used it as a tool for communication. CONCLUSION: To construct a coherent story, it was essential that the ICU-diary was complete and were amplified by photos, all appearing in a chronological order. The results of this study could form a basis for further developments of standards and guidelines for ICU-diaries.

The Intensive Care Unit diary - A significant complement in the recovery after intensive care. A focus group study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to gain an increased understanding of the intensive care unit diary and how it affects patients' recovery after intensive care. METHODOLOGY/DESIGN: The study had a qualitative design and was conducted by two focus group interviews in October 2021 and was analysed with thematic analysis. SETTING: Ventilator treated intensive care patients with a length of stay ≥ 72 hours who had received a written diary were included. The study was conducted at two university hospitals in the south of Sweden. FINDINGS: The intensive care unit diary can be an important complement to the medical record and notes taken by family members by enhancing understanding of critical illness. The patients experience several prominent feelings from reading the diary such as guilt, fear, and anxiety as well as feelings of being cared for. The design and content of the diary can be important used as a tool in patients' recovery after intensive care. CONCLUSION: Understanding their critical illness and the time in intensive care seems important to former intensive care patients. In this respect, the intensive care unit diary on its own does not provide significant information and thus need to be complemented by information from the medical record and notes taken by family members. Therefore, the diary can be used as a complement that might increase patients' sense of coherence and facilitate recovery after intensive care.

COVID-19 pandemic hits differently: examining its consequences for women's livelihoods and healthcare access - a cross-sectional study in Kinshasa DRC.

OBJECTIVES: The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic led to multiple preventive actions as primary interventions to contain the spread of the virus. Globally, countries are facing enormous challenges with consequences for use of social, economic and health services. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) was among the African countries implementing strict lockdown at the start of the pandemic, resulting in shortages and decreased access to services. The adverse effects of the pandemic had unpleasant consequences for the country. This study aimed to examine the association between COVID-19 pandemic-related factors, sociodemographic factors, and the need to visit healthcare facilities, including family planning services, among women aged 15-49 years in the DRC. METHODS: We conducted a secondary analysis of a performance monitoring for action (PMA) cross-sectional COVID-19 phone survey in Kinshasa, DRC, which had a response rate of 74.7%. In total, 1325 randomly selected women aged 15-49 years from the Kinshasa province who had previously participated in the PMA baseline survey participated in the survey. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were used to assess associations. RESULTS: The COVID-19 pandemic and related factors affected 92% of women in the Kinshasa province socioeconomically. A majority were highly economically dependent on their partner or some other sources for their basic needs to be met, and even more worried about the future impact of the pandemic on their household finances. Over 50% of women did not attempt visiting a health service, with some of the top reasons being fear of being infected with COVID-19 and not being able to afford services. We found a significant association between age groups and contraceptive use. The need for and use of contraceptives was higher among women aged 25-34 years than those aged 15-24 or 35-49 years. CONCLUSION: Effective social/economic support to women and girls during pandemics and in crises is essential as it can have lasting beneficial effects on many domains of their lives, including their ability to access health services and the contraceptives of their choice.

Outcomes in Patients Perceived as Receiving Excessive Care by ICU Physicians and Nurses: Differences Between Patients < 75 and ≥ 75 Years of Age?

BACKGROUND: The benefit of the ICU for older patients is often debated. There is little knowledge on subjective impressions of excessive care in ICU nurses and physicians combined with objective patient data in real-life cases. RESEARCH QUESTION: Is there a difference in treatment limitation decisions and 1-year outcomes in patients < 75 and ≥ 75 years of age, with and without concordant perceptions of excessive care by two or more ICU nurses and physicians? STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: This was a reanalysis of the prospective observational DISPROPRICUS study, performed in 56 ICUs. Nurses and physicians completed a daily questionnaire about the appropriateness of care for each of their patients during a 28-day period in 2014. We compared the cumulative incidence of patients with concordant perceptions of excessive care, treatment limitation decisions, and the proportion of patients attaining the combined end point (death, poor quality of life, or not being at home) at 1 year across age groups via Cox regression with propensity score weighting and Fisher exact tests. RESULTS: Of 1,641 patients, 405 (25%) were ≥ 75 years of age. The cumulative incidence of concordant perceptions of excessive care was higher in older patients (13.6% vs 8.5%; P < .001). In patients with concordant perceptions of excessive care, we found no difference between age groups in risk of death (1-year mortality, 83% in both groups; P > .99; hazard ratio [HR] after weighting, 1.11; 95% CI, 0.74-1.65), treatment limitation decisions (33% vs 31%; HR after weighting, 1.11; 95% CI, 0.69-2.17), and reaching the combined end point at 1 year (90% vs 93%; P = .546). In patients without concordant perceptions of excessive care, we found a difference in risk of death (1-year mortality, 41% vs 30%; P < .001; HR after weighting, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.11-1.73) and treatment limitation decisions (11% vs 5%; P < .001; HR, 2.11; 95% CI, 1.37-3.27); however, treatment limitation decisions were mostly documented prior to ICU admission. The risk of reaching the combined end point was higher in the older adults (61.6% vs 52.8%; P < .001). INTERPRETATION: Although the incidence of perceptions of excessive care is slightly higher in older patients, there is no difference in treatment limitation decisions and 1-year outcomes between older and younger patients once patients are identified by concordant perceptions of excessive care. Additionally, in patients without concordant perceptions, the outcomes are worse in the older adults, pleading against ageism in ICU nurses and physicians.

Extravascular lung water index improves the diagnostic accuracy of lung injury in patients with shock.

INTRODUCTION: The diagnosis of acute lung injury (ALI) may be more robust if more accurate physiological markers can be identified. Extravascular lung water (EVLW) is one possible marker, and it has been shown to correlate with respiratory function and mortality in patients with sepsis. Whether EVLW confers diagnostic value in a general population with shock, as well as which index performs best, is unclear. We investigated the diagnostic accuracy of various EVLW indices in patients with shock. METHODS: We studied a prospective, observational cohort of 51 patients with shock admitted to a tertiary ICU. EVLW was measured within 6 hours of ICU admission and indexed to actual body weight (EVLW/ABW), predicted body weight (EVLW/PBW) and pulmonary blood volume (EVLW/PBV). The relationship of these indices to the diagnosis and severity of lung injury and ICU mortality were studied. Positive and negative likelihood ratios, pre- and posttest odds for diagnosis of lung injury and mortality were calculated. RESULTS: All EVLW indices were higher among patients with lung injury and significantly correlated with respiratory parameters. Furthermore, all EVLW indices were significantly higher in nonsurvivors. The use of EVLW improves the posttest OR for the diagnosis of ALI, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and severe lung injury (sLI) by up to eightfold. Combining increased EVLW and a diagnosis of ALI, ARDS or sLI increases the posttest odds of ICU mortality. EVLW/ABW and EVLW/PBV demonstrated the best diagnostic performance in this population. CONCLUSIONS: EVLW was associated with degree of lung injury and mortality, regardless of the index used, confirming that it may be used as a bedside indicator of disease severity. The use of EVLW as a bedside test conferred added diagnostic value for the identification of patients with lung injury.

Conditions and strategies to meet the challenges imposed by the COVID-19-related visiting restrictions in the intensive care unit: A Scandinavian cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: To examine conditions and strategies to meet the challenges imposed by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related visiting restrictions in Scandinavian intensive care units. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY/DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey. SETTING: Adult intensive care units in Denmark, Norway and Sweden. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Likert scale responses and free-text comments within six areas: capacity and staffing, visiting policies and access to the unit, information and conferences with relatives, written information, children as relatives and follow-up initiatives. RESULTS: The overall response rate was 53% (74/140 participating units). All intensive care units had planned for capacity extensions; the majority ranging between 11 and 30 extra beds. From March-June 2020, units had a mean maximum of 9.4 COVID-19 patients simultaneously. Allowing restricted visiting was more common in Denmark (52%) and Norway (61%) than in Sweden where visiting was mostly denied except for dying patients (68%), due to a particular increased number of COVID-19 patients. The restrictions forced nurses to compromise on their usual standards of family care. Numerous models for maintaining contact between relatives and patients were described. CONCLUSION: Visitation restrictions compromised the quality of family care and entailed dilemmas for healthcare professionals but also spurred initiatives to developing new ways of providing family care.

Intensive care patient diaries in Scandinavia: a comparative study of emergence and evolution.

Critical illness and intensive care therapy are often followed by psychological problems such as nightmares, hallucinations, delusions, anxiety, depression, and symptoms of posttraumatic stress. Intensive care patient diaries have been kept by nurses and the patients' family since the early 1990s in the Scandinavian countries to help critically ill patients come to terms with their illness after hospital discharge. The aim of the study was to describe and compare the emergence and evolution of intensive care patient diaries in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. The study had a comparative international design using secondary analysis of qualitative data generated by key-informant telephone interviews with intensive care nurses (n=114). The study showed that diaries were introduced concurrently in the three Scandinavian countries as a grass-roots initiative by mutual cross-national inspiration. The concept has evolved from a pragmatic practice to an evidence-based domain of inquiry propelled by academically prepared nurses. Several schools of thought were identified in our study: diaries as (i) a therapeutic instrument, (ii) an act of caring, (iii) an expression of empathy, and (iv) a hybrid of the above. Diaries have the potential to fulfill the existential needs of patients who struggle to make sense of their experiences and construct their own illness narrative.

Awake Proning as an Adjunctive Therapy for Refractory Hypoxemia in Non-Intubated Patients with COVID-19 Acute Respiratory Failure: Guidance from an International Group of Healthcare Workers.

Non-intubated patients with acute respiratory failure due to COVID-19 could benefit from awake proning. Awake proning is an attractive intervention in settings with limited resources, as it comes with no additional costs. However, awake proning remains poorly used probably because of unfamiliarity and uncertainties regarding potential benefits and practical application. To summarize evidence for benefit and to develop a set of pragmatic recommendations for awake proning in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia, focusing on settings where resources are limited, international healthcare professionals from high and low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) with known expertise in awake proning were invited to contribute expert advice. A growing number of observational studies describe the effects of awake proning in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia in whom hypoxemia is refractory to simple measures of supplementary oxygen. Awake proning improves oxygenation in most patients, usually within minutes, and reduces dyspnea and work of breathing. The effects are maintained for up to 1 hour after turning back to supine, and mostly disappear after 6-12 hours. In available studies, awake proning was not associated with a reduction in the rate of intubation for invasive ventilation. Awake proning comes with little complications if properly implemented and monitored. Pragmatic recommendations including indications and contraindications were formulated and adjusted for resource-limited settings. Awake proning, an adjunctive treatment for hypoxemia refractory to supplemental oxygen, seems safe in non-intubated patients with COVID-19 acute respiratory failure. We provide pragmatic recommendations including indications and contraindications for the use of awake proning in LMICs.

Use and practice of patient diaries in Swedish intensive care units: a national survey.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To describe and compare the extent and application of patients' diaries in Sweden. BACKGROUND: Since 1991, patient diaries have been used in intensive care unit (ICU) follow-up in Sweden. There is paucity of relevant data evaluating the effect of this tool and also on what premises patients are enrolled. Likewise, data are sparse on the diaries' design, content structure and the use of photographs. DESIGN: Descriptive explorative design by a semi-structured telephone interview. METHODS: The interview results were analysed with descriptive statistics and differences between the ICU levels were explored by chi(2) analysis. Qualitative manifest content analysis was performed to explore the purpose of diary writing. RESULTS: Of all ICUs (n = 85), 99% responded and 75% used diaries. The source of inspiration was collegial rather than from scientific data. The main reason for keeping a diary was to help the patient to recapitulate the ICU stay. Discrepancies between the different levels of ICUs were detected in patient selection, dedicated staff for follow-up and the use of photographs. Comparison between the chi(2) analysis and the content analysis outcome displayed incongruence between the set unit-goals and the activities for achievement but did not explain the procedural differences detected. CONCLUSION: The uses of diaries in post ICU follow up were found to be common in Sweden. A majority used defined goals and content structure. However, there were differences in practice and patient recruitment among the levels of ICUs. These discrepancies seemed not to be based on evidence-based data nor on ongoing research or evaluation but merely on professional judgement. As ICU follow-up is resource intense and time consuming, it is paramount that solid criteria for patient selection and guidelines for the structure and use of diaries in post-ICU follow-up are defined.

A missed opportunity? Lack of knowledge about sexual and reproductive health services among immigrant women in Sweden.

OBJECTIVE: Poor sexual and reproductive health (SRH) among immigrant women is often related to limited access, or suboptimal use of healthcare services. This study investigates the knowledge about and use of sexual and reproductive healthcare services among immigrant women in Sweden. METHOD: A cross-sectional study of 288 immigrant women. A structured questionnaire was distributed among immigrants speaking Arabic, Dari, Somali or English registered at Swedish language schools for immigrants. Data collection took place in 19 strategically selected schools in Sweden. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and logistic regressions were used for the analysis. RESULTS: About one-third of the immigrant women reported lack of knowledge of where to go for contraceptive counselling. Experiencing lack of emotional social support and not having had children was associated with this lack of knowledge. An even higher proportion (56%) lacked knowledge of where to go to be HIV tested, and this was associated with not having participated in a health examination. Almost 25% stated that their culture kept them back from using contraception. CONCLUSION: Lack of knowledge of where to turn for contraceptive counselling and HIV testing among immigrant women participating in Swedish language schools for immigrants could be considered as a missed opportunity, as all citizens in Sweden have free access to these services. New health policies and strategies should aim to increase knowledge of SRH services among immigrants. Swedish language schools could play an important role in increasing knowledge of SRH-related information as many new immigrants become students during their first years in Sweden.

To assess patients pain in intensive care: developing and testing the Swedish version of the Behavioural Pain Scale.

OBJECTIVES: The Behavioural Pain Scale has previously been translated into Swedish and psychometrically tested. One of the domains- 'compliance with ventilation'- did not show equally as good psychometric proprieties as the other domains, which led to the question whether a development of that domain would be beneficial. This study aimed to develop the domain of 'breathing pattern' in the Swedish version of the Behavioural Pain Scale and then test the instrument for discriminant validity, inter-rater reliability and criterion validity. METHOD: The domain 'breathing pattern' was developed and included when the Swedish version of the Behavioural Pain Scale was psychometrically tested in 360 paired assessments. RESULTS: The instrument showed discriminant validity through a significant positive change on the scale before and during turning and inter-rater reliability with an absence of significant disagreement on the scale between the paired assessments. The developed domain had a better result in discriminant validity than the original domain. The instrument also showed higher sensitivity in discriminating pain compared to assessment without an instrument. CONCLUSION: The Swedish version of the Behavioural Pain Scale, with a developed domain for 'breathing pattern' showed to be a reliable instrument for pain assessment in the adult intensive-care patient.