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.

Patient participation in orthopaedic care-a survey on hip surgery patients' preferences for and experiences of engagement in their health and healthcare.

INTRODUCTION: Quality in health services is increasingly associated with enabling patients to participate in their own health and healthcare by recognising their resources and needs. Despite a growing recognition as to whether such participation is enabled, little is known regarding opportunities for preference-based patient participation in orthopaedic care. AIMS: To investigate preference-based participation for patients in orthopaedic care due to hip surgery. METHODS: Patients across 17 Swedish orthopaedic units who had had hip surgery, due to hip fracture or osteoarthritis, January-April 2021 were invited to complete the validated 4Ps questionnaire. Of 1514 patients, 458 patients returned the questionnaire with reports on their preferences for and experiences of participation. Each of the 4Ps' 12 items were analysed separately using descriptive and comparative statistics. RESULTS: A complete match in preferences for, and experiences of, participation was achieved with variation between items for 41%-50% of the patients; if almost matches were included, this occurred for 57%-77% of the patients. Less participation than preferred was most common in terms of having had reciprocal communication, opportunities for partaking in planning, and in learning how to manage symptoms/issues. Hip fracture surgery was significantly associated with experiencing lower levels of participation than preferred. CONCLUSION: Though standardised care promotes efficient hip surgery care, our study suggests a need for more person-centred opportunities to engage. A discrepancy was noted between patients' resources and preparation for their participation in and beyond the hip surgery process, particularly for self-care activities, calling for better use of nursing resources. ID: NCT04700969 with the U.S National Institutes of Health Clinical Registry.

Adherence to evidence-based guidelines for prevention of urinary retention in hip surgery patients: a multicentre observational study.

Urinary retention is a healthcare complication putting patients at risk of unnecessary suffering and harm. Orthopaedic patients are known to face an increased such risk, calling for evidence-based preoperative assessment and corresponding measures to prevent bladder problems. The aim of this study was to evaluate healthcare professionals' adherence to risk assessment guidelines for urinary retention in hip surgery patients. This was an observational study from January 2021 to April 2021 with a descriptive and comparative design, triangulating three data sources: (I) Medical records for 1382 hip surgery patients across 17 hospitals in Sweden were reviewed for preoperative risk assessments for urinary retention and voiding-related variables at discharge; (II) The patients completed a survey regarding postoperative lower urinary tract symptoms, and; (III) data were extracted from a national quality registry regarding type of surgery, preoperative physical status, and perioperative urinary complications. Group differences were analysed with Chi-square/Fisher's exact test, t-test, Wilcoxon rank-sum test, or Mann-Whitney U-test. Logistic regression was used to analyse variables associated with completed risk assessments for urinary retention. Of all study participants, 23.4% (n = 323) had a preoperative documented risk assessment of urinary retention. Whether a risk assessment was performed was significantly associated with acute surgery [odds ratio (OR) 3.56, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.48-5.12] and undergoing surgery at an academic hospital (OR 4.59, 95% CI 2.68-7.85). Acute patients were more often affected by urinary retention and had bladder issues and/or an indwelling catheter at discharge. More than every tenth patient (11. 9%, n = 53) completing the survey experienced intensified bladder problems after their hip surgery. The study shows a lack of adherence to risk assessment for urinary retention according to evidence-based guidelines, which negatively affects quality of care and patient safety.

First-line managers' experience of guideline implementation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

AIM(S): To explore first-line managers' experience of guideline implementation in orthopaedic care during the COVID-19 pandemic. DESIGN: A descriptive, qualitative study. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews with 30 first-line nursing and rehabilitation managers in orthopaedic healthcare at university, regional and local hospitals. The interviews were analysed by thematic analysis. RESULTS: First-line managers described the implementation of guidelines related to the pandemic as different from everyday knowledge translation, with a swifter uptake and time freed from routine meetings in order to support staff in adoption and adherence. The urgent need to address the crisis facilitated guideline implementation, even though there were specific pandemic-related barriers such as staffing and communication issues. An overarching theme, Hanging on to guidelines for dear life, is substantiated by three themes: Adapting to facilitate change, Anchoring safety through guidelines and Embracing COVID guidelines. CONCLUSION: A health crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic can generate enabling elements for guideline implementation in healthcare, despite prevailing or new hindering components. The experience of guideline implementation during the COVID-19 pandemic can improve understanding of context aspects that can benefit organizations in everyday translation of evidence into practice. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION AND/OR PATIENT CARE: Recognizing what enabled guideline implementation in a health crisis can help first-line managers to identify local enabling context elements and processes. This can facilitate future guideline implementation. IMPACT: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the healthcare context and staff's motivation for guideline recognition and adoption changed. Resources and ways to bridge barriers in guideline implementation emerged, although specific challenges arose. Nursing managers can draw on experiences from the COVID-19 pandemic to support implementation of new evidence-based practices in the future. REPORTING METHOD: This study adheres to the EQUATOR guidelines by using Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research (SRQR). No Patient or Public Contribution.

Adverse Events of Peripherally Administered Norepinephrine During Surgery: A Prospective Multicenter Study.

BACKGROUND: Perioperative treatment of hypotension by intravenous administration of norepinephrine in a peripheral vein can lead to adverse events, for example, tissue necrosis. However, the incidence and severity of adverse events during perioperative administration are unknown. METHODS: This was a prospective observational study conducted at 3 Swedish hospitals from 2019 to 2022. A total of 1004 patients undergoing surgery, who met the criteria for perioperative peripheral norepinephrine administration, were included. The infusion site was inspected regularly. If swelling or paleness of skin was detected, the infusion site was changed to a different peripheral line. Systolic blood pressure and pulse frequency were monitored during the infusion time and defined as adverse events at >220 mm Hg and <40 beats•min -1 . In case of adverse events, patients were observed for up to 48 hours. The primary outcome was prevalence of extravasation, defined as swelling around the infusion site. Secondary outcomes were all types of adverse events and associations between predefined clinical variables and risk of adverse events. RESULTS: We observed 2.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.4%-3.2%) extravasation of infusion and 0.9% (95% CI, 0.4%-1.7%) bradycardia. No cases of tissue necrosis or severe hypertension were detected. All adverse events had dissipated spontaneously within 48 hours. Proximal catheter placement was associated with more adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Extravasation of peripherally administrated norepinephrine in the perioperative period occurred at similar rates as in previous studies in critically ill patients. In our setting, where we regularly inspected the infusion site and shifted site in case of swelling or paleness of skin, we observed no case of severe adverse events. Given that severe adverse events were absent, the potential benefit of this preventive approach requires confirmation in a larger population.

A retrospective multicenter cohort study of the association between anti-Factor Xa values and death, thromboembolism, and bleeding in patients with critical COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: Patients with critical COVID-19 have a high risk of thromboembolism, but intensified thromboprophylaxis has not been proven beneficial. The activity of low-molecular-weight heparins can be monitored by measuring anti-Factor Xa. We aimed to study the association between anti-Factor Xa values and death, thromboembolism, and bleeding in patients with critical COVID-19. METHOD: This retrospective cohort study included adult patients with critical COVID-19 admitted to an intensive care unit at three Swedish hospitals between March 2020 and May 2021 with at least one valid peak and/or trough anti-Factor Xa value. Within the peak and trough categories, patients' minimum, median, and maximum values were determined. Logistic regressions with splines were used to assess associations. RESULTS: In total, 408 patients had at least one valid peak and/or trough anti-Factor Xa measurement, resulting in 153 patients with peak values and 300 patients with trough values. Lower peak values were associated with thromboembolism for patients' minimum (p = 0.01), median (p = 0.005) and maximum (p = 0.001) values. No association was seen between peak values and death or bleeding. Higher trough values were associated with death for median (p = 0.03) and maximum (p = 0.002) values and with both bleeding (p = 0.01) and major bleeding (p = 0.02) for maximum values, but there were no associations with thromboembolism. CONCLUSIONS: Measuring anti-Factor Xa activity may be relevant for administrating low-molecular-weight heparin to patients with critical COVID-19. Lower peak values were associated with an increased risk of thromboembolism, and higher trough values were associated with an increased risk of death and bleeding. Prospective studies are needed to confirm the results. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was retrospectively registered at Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT05256524, February 24, 2022.

Rapid response team activation prior to in-hospital cardiac arrest: Areas for improvements based on a national cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: Rapid response teams (RRTs) are designed to improve the "chain of prevention" of in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA). We studied the 30-day survival of patients reviewed by RRTs within 24 hours prior to IHCA, as compared to patients not reviewed by RRTs. METHODS: A nationwide cohort study based on the Swedish Registry of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, between January 1st, 2014, and December 31st, 2021. An explorative, hypothesis-generating additional in-depth data collection from medical records was performed in a small subgroup of general ward patients reviewed by RRTs. RESULTS: In all, 12,915 IHCA patients were included. RRT-reviewed patients (n = 2,058) had a lower unadjusted 30-day survival (25% vs 33%, p < 0.001), a propensity score based Odds ratio for 30-day survival of 0.92 (95% Confidence interval 0.90-0.94, p < 0.001) and were more likely to have a respiratory cause of IHCA (22% vs 15%, p < 0.001). In the subgroup (n = 82), respiratory distress was the most common RRT trigger, and 24% of the RRT reviews were delayed. Patient transfer to a higher level of care was associated with a higher 30-day survival rate (20% vs 2%, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: IHCA preceded by RRT review is associated with a lower 30-day survival rate and a greater likelihood of a respiratory cause of cardiac arrest. In the small explorative subgroup, respiratory distress was the most common RRT trigger and delayed RRT activation was frequent. Early detection of respiratory abnormalities and timely interventions may have a potential to improve outcomes in RRT-reviewed patients and prevent further progress into IHCA.

The distorted memories of patients treated in the intensive care unit during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: During the COVID-19 pandemic, patients cared for in the intensive care unit were exposed to many risk factors for developing delirium and subsequent distorted memories. Further, seeing healthcare professionals who have been dressed in personal protective equipment and face masks could have affected the patients' memories. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore memories and how they are experienced and managed by former patients who have been treated for COVID-19 in an intensive care unit. METHODS: Sixteen former patients treated for COVID-19 at a large emergency hospital in Sweden were interviewed 3-8 months after discharge from the intensive care unit. The data were interpreted using thematic analysis. The Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research checklist was followed in the reporting of the study. FINDINGS: Participants' descriptions of their memories of treatment in the intensive care unit for COVID-19 generated three themes: 'Distorted truth' the content in the memories which implied facing death in an unreal distorted environment. 'Captive,' was the experience and feelings linked to memories with a feeling of being exposed and alone, and 'Coping with memories' explained how participants managed the implications of the memories using a mixture of strategies. CONCLUSIONS: For former patients who were admitted to an intensive care unit after a diagnosis of COVID-19, memories caused considerable distress, which were similar to other intensive care patients experiences, before the pandemic. Emotion-focused and problem-focused strategies could be used to cope with these memories. Healthcare professionals wearing protective equipment gave the patient a distant feeling, but more important was to be treated with attention/care and respect. IMPLICATIONS FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE: Awareness of the impact of distorted memories on patients who are severely ill and their needs and strategies to cope with these memories can form the basis for early interventions that promotes well-being during care and recovery. Healthcare professionals have an important task to inform patients and their family members about the existence of distorted memories, and talk about the patients' experience of them, to facilitate their recovery.

Patients' experiences of urinary retention and bladder care - A qualitative study in orthopaedic care.

BACKGROUND: Urinary retention is a common complication associated with hip surgery. There are easily available, evidence-based clinical practice guidelines prescribing how to prevent both urinary retention and other voiding issues, by means of bladder monitoring and risk assessments. A detected lack of adherence to such guidelines increases risks for unnecessary suffering among patients but a greater understanding of patients' experiences can benefit tailored interventions to address quality and safety gaps in orthopaedic nursing and rehabilitation. PURPOSE: The aim was to describe patients' experiences of urinary retention, bladder issues, and bladder care in orthopaedic care due to hip surgery. METHOD: This was a qualitative study with a descriptive design: content analysis with an inductive approach was applied to interviews (n = 32) and survey free-text responses (n = 122) across 17 orthopaedic units in Sweden. RESULTS: The patients had received no or limited details for the recurrent bladder care interventions (such as bladder scans and prompted voiding) while at the hospital. They relied on the staff for safe procedures but were left to themselves to manage and comprehend prevailing bladder issues. Despite the patients' experiences of bladder issues or the risk of urinary retention postoperatively, the link to hip surgery remained unknown to the patients, leaving them searching for self-management strategies and further care. CONCLUSIONS: Patients' perspectives on bladder care, urinary retention and bladder issues can serve as a means for increased understanding of procedures and issues, reinforcing improved implementation of guidelines, including person-centred information. Safer bladder procedures imply further patient engagement, highlighted in guidelines.

Comparing severe COVID-19 outcomes of first and second/third waves: a prospective single-centre cohort study of health-related quality of life and pulmonary outcomes 6 months after infection.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to compare long-term outcomes in intensive care unit (ICU) survivors between the first and second/third waves of the COVID-19 pandemic. More specifically, to assess health-related quality of life (HRQL) and respiratory health 6 months post-ICU and to study potential associations between patient characteristic and treatment variables regarding 6-month outcomes. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Single-centre study of adult COVID-19 patients with respiratory distress admitted to two Swedish ICUs during the first wave (1 March 2020-1 September 2020) and second/third waves (2 September 2020- 1 August 2021) with follow-up approximately 6 months after ICU discharge. PARTICIPANTS: Critically ill COVID-19 patients who survived for at least 90 days. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: HRQL, extent of residual changes on chest CT scan and pulmonary function were compared between the waves. General linear regression and multivariable logistic regression were used to present mean score differences (MSD) and ORs with 95% CIs. RESULTS: Of the 456 (67%) critically ill COVID-19 patients who survived at least 90 days, 278 (61%) were included in the study. Six months after ICU discharge, HRQL was similar between survivors in the pandemic waves, except that the second/third wave survivors had better role physical (MSD 20.2, 95% CI 7.3 to 33.1, p<0.01) and general health (MSD 7.2, 95% CI 0.7 to 13.6, p=0.03) and less bodily pain (MSD 12.2, 95% CI 3.6 to 20.8, p<0.01), while first wave survivors had better diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.1 to 3.5, p=0.03). CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that even though intensive care treatment strategies have changed with time, there are few differences in long-term HRQL and respiratory health seems to remain at 6 months for patients surviving critical COVID-19 in the first and second/third waves of the pandemic.

Long-term effects of restriction of intravenous fluid in adult ICU patients with septic shock.

PURPOSE: To assess long-term outcomes of restrictive versus standard intravenous (IV) fluid therapy in adult intensive care unit (ICU) patients with septic shock included in the European Conservative versus Liberal Approach to Fluid Therapy in Septic Shock in Intensive Care (CLASSIC) trial. METHODS: We conducted the pre-planned analyses of mortality, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) using EuroQol (EQ)-5D-5L index values and EQ visual analogue scale (VAS), and cognitive function using Mini Montreal Cognitive Assessment (Mini MoCA) test at 1 year. Deceased patients were assigned numerical zero for HRQoL as a state equal to death and zero for cognitive function outcomes as worst possible score, and we used multiple imputation for missing data on HRQoL and cognitive function. RESULTS: Among 1554 randomized patients, we obtained 1-year data on mortality in 97.9% of patients, HRQoL in 91.3%, and cognitive function in 86.3%. One-year mortality was 385/746 (51.3%) in the restrictive-fluid group versus 383/767 (49.9%) in the standard-fluid group, absolute risk difference 1.5%-points [99% confidence interval (CI) - 4.8 to 7.8]. Mean differences were 0.00 (99% CI - 0.06 to 0.05) for EQ-5D-5L index values, - 0.65 for EQ VAS (- 5.40 to 4.08), and - 0.14 for Mini MoCA (- 1.59 to 1.14) for the restrictive-fluid group versus the standard-fluid group. The results for survivors only were similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Among adult ICU patients with septic shock, restrictive versus standard IV fluid therapy resulted in similar survival, HRQoL, and cognitive function at 1 year, but clinically important differences could not be ruled out.

Shifting focus: A grounded theory of how family members to critically ill patients manage their situation.

OBJECTIVES: Critical illness is a life-threatening condition for the patient, which affects their family members as a traumatic experience. Well-known long-term consequences include impact on mental health and health-related quality of life. This study aims to develop a grounded theory to explain pattern of behaviours in family members of critically ill patients cared for in an intensive care unit, addressing the period from when the patient becomes critically ill until recovery at home. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY/DESIGN: We used a classic grounded theory to explore the main concern for family members of intensive care patients. Fourteen interviews and seven observations with a total of 21 participants were analysed. Data were collected from February 2019 to June 2021. SETTING: Three general intensive care units in Sweden, consisting of a university hospital and two county hospitals. FINDINGS: The theory Shifting focus explains how family members' main concern, living on hold, is managed. This theory involves different strategies: decoding, sheltering and emotional processing. The theory has three different outcomes: adjusting focus, emotional resigning or remaining in focus. CONCLUSION: Family members could stand in the shadow of the patients' critical illness and needs. This emotional adversity is processed through shifting focus from one's own needs and well-being to the patient's survival, needs and well-being. This theory can raise awareness of how family members of critically ill patients manage the process from critical illness until return to everyday life at home. Future research focusing on family members' need for support and information, to reduce stress in everyday life, is needed. IMPLICATIONS FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE: Healthcare professionals should support family members in shifting focus by interaction, clear and honest communication, and through mediating hope.

Patient Related Outcomes After Receiving a Person Centred Nurse Led Follow Up Programme Among Patients Undergoing Revascularisation for Intermittent Claudication: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomised Clinical Trial.

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to evaluate the effect of a person centred nurse led follow up programme on health related quality of life (HRQoL), health literacy, and general self efficacy compared with standard care for patients undergoing revascularisation for intermittent claudication (IC), and to describe factors associated with HRQoL one year after revascularisation. METHODS: This was a secondary analysis of a randomised controlled trial. Patients with IC scheduled for revascularisation at two vascular surgery centres in Sweden between 2016 and 2018 were randomised to intervention or control. During the first year after surgery, the intervention group received a person centred follow up programme with three visits and two telephone calls with a vascular nurse, while the control group received standard follow up with two visits to a vascular surgeon or vascular nurse. Outcomes were HRQoL measured by VascuQol-6, health literacy, and general self efficacy measured by validated questionnaires. RESULTS: Overall, 214 patients were included in the trial; this secondary analysis comprised 183 patients who completed the questionnaires. One year after revascularisation, HRQoL had improved with a mean increase in VascuQol-6 of 7.0 scale steps (95% CI 5.9 - 8.0) for the intervention and 6.0 scale steps (95% CI 4.9 - 7.0) for the control group; the difference between the groups was not significant (p = .18). In an adjusted regression analysis, the intervention was associated with higher VascuQoL-6 (2.0 scale steps, 95% CI 0.08 - 3.93). There was no significant difference between the groups regarding health literacy or general self efficacy. The prevalence of insufficient health literacy among all participants was 38.7% (46/119) at baseline and 43.2% (51/118) at one year. CONCLUSION: In this study, a person centred, nurse led follow up programme had no significant impact on HRQoL, health literacy, or general self efficacy among patients undergoing revascularisation for IC. The prevalence of insufficient health literacy was high and should be addressed by healthcare givers and researchers.

Healthcare workers' experiences of patient safety in the intensive care unit during the COVID-19 pandemic: A multicentre qualitative study.

AIM: To describe healthcare workers' experiences of preconditions and patient safety risks in intensive care units during the COVID-19 pandemic. BACKGROUND: Healthcare workers' ability to adapt to changing conditions is crucial to promote patient safety. During the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare workers' capacity to maintain safe care was challenged and a more in-depth understanding on frontline experiences of patient safety is needed. DESIGN: A qualitative descriptive design. METHODS: Individual interviews were conducted with 29 healthcare workers (nurses, physicians, nurse assistants and physiotherapists) from three Swedish hospitals directly involved in intensive care of COVID-19 patients. Data were analysed with inductive content analysis. Reporting followed the COREQ checklist. RESULTS: Three categories were identified. Hazardous changes in working conditions describes patient safety challenges associated with the extreme workload with high stress level. Imperative adaptations induced by changed preconditions for patient safety which include descriptions of safety risks following adaptations related to temporary intensive care facilities, handling shortage of medical equipment and deviations from routines. Safety risks triggered by reorganisation of care describe how the diluted skill-mix and team disruptions exposed patients to safety risks, and that safety performance mostly relied on individual healthcare worker's responsibility. CONCLUSIONS: The study suggests that healthcare workers experienced an increase in patient safety risks during the COVID-19 pandemic mainly because the extremely high workload, imperative adaptations, and reorganisation of care regarding skill-mix and teamwork. Patient safety performance relied on the individuals' adaptability and responsibility rather than on system-based safety. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: This study provides insights on how healthcare workers' experiences can be used as a source of information for recognition of patient safety risks. To improve detection of safety risks during future crises, guidelines on how to approach safety from a system perspective must include healthcare workers' perceptions on safety risks. PATIENT AND PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: None in the conceptualisation or design of the study.

Facilitating facilitators to facilitate-Some general comments on a strategy for knowledge implementation in health services.

Numerous endeavours to ensure that day-to-day healthcare is both evidence-based and person-centred have generated extensive, although partial, comprehension of what guarantees quality improvement. To address quality issues, researchers and clinicians have developed several strategies as well as implementation theories, models, and frameworks. However, more progress is needed regarding how to facilitate guideline and policy implementation that guarantees effective changes take place in a timely and safe manner. This paper considers experiences of engaging and supporting local facilitators in knowledge implementation. Drawing on several interventions, considering both training and support, this general commentary discusses whom to engage and the length, content, quantity, and type of support along with expected outcomes of facilitators' activities. In addition, this paper suggests that patient facilitators could help produce evidence-based and person-centred care. We conclude that research about the roles and functions of facilitators needs to include more structured follow-ups and also improvement projects. This can increase the speed of learning with respect to what works, for whom, in what context, why (or why not), and with what outcomes when it comes to facilitator support and tasks.

Hyperoxemia after reperfusion in cardiac arrest patients: a potential dose-response association with 30-day survival.

BACKGROUND: Hyperoxemia may aggravate reperfusion brain injury after cardiac arrest. The aim of this study was to study the associations between different levels of hyperoxemia in the reperfusion period after cardiac arrest and 30-day survival. METHODS: Nationwide observational study using data from four compulsory Swedish registries. Adult in- and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients admitted to an ICU, requiring mechanical ventilation, between January 2010 and March 2021, were included. The partial oxygen pressure (PaO2) was collected in a standardized way at ICU admission (± one hour) according to the simplified acute physiology score 3 reflecting the time interval with oxygen treatment from return of spontaneous circulation to ICU admission. Subsequently, patients were divided into groups based on the registered PaO2 at ICU admission. Hyperoxemia was categorized into mild (13.4-20 kPa), moderate (20.1-30 kPa) severe (30.1-40 kPa) and extreme (> 40 kPa), and normoxemia as PaO2 8-13.3 kPa. Hypoxemia was defined as PaO2 < 8 kPa. Primary outcome was 30-day survival and relative risks (RR) were estimated by multivariable modified Poisson regression. RESULTS: In total, 9735 patients were included of which 4344 (44.6%) were hyperoxemic at ICU admission. Among these, 2217 were classified as mild, 1091 as moderate, 507 as severe, and 529 as extreme hyperoxemia. Normoxemia was present in 4366 (44.8%) patients and 1025 (10.5%) had hypoxemia. Compared to the normoxemia group, the adjusted RR for 30-day survival in the whole hyperoxemia group was 0.87 (95% CI 0.82-0.91). The corresponding results for the different hyperoxemia subgroups were; mild 0.91 (95% CI 0.85-0.97), moderate 0.88 (95% CI 0.82-0.95), severe 0.79 (95% CI 0.7-0.89), and extreme 0.68 (95% CI 0.58-0.79). Adjusted 30-day survival for the hypoxemia compared to normoxemia group was 0.83 (95% CI 0.74-0.92). Similar associations were seen in both out-of-hospital and in-hospital cardiac arrests. CONCLUSION: In this nationwide observational study comprising both in- and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients, hyperoxemia at ICU admission was associated with lower 30-day survival.

Patients' experiences of preparing for transfer from the intensive care unit to a hospital ward: A multicentre qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: The transfer from an intensive care unit (ICU) to a regular ward often causes confusion and stress for patients and family members. However, little is known about the patients' perspective on preparing for the transfer. AIM: The purpose of the study was to describe patients' experiences of preparing for transfer from an ICU to a ward. STUDY DESIGN: Individual interviews with 14 former ICU patients from three urban hospitals in Stockholm, Sweden were conducted 3 months after hospital discharge. Qualitative content analysis was used to interpret the interview transcripts. Reporting followed the consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research checklist. RESULTS: The results showed that the three categories, the discharge decision, patient involvement, and practical preparations were central to the patients' experiences of preparing for the transition from the intensive care unit to the ward. The discharge decision was associated with a sense of relief, but also worry about what would happen on the ward. The patients felt that they were not involved in the decision about the discharge or the planning of their health care. To handle the situation, patients needed information about planned care and treatment. However, the information was often sparse, delivered from a clinician's perspective, and therefore not much help in preparing for transfer. CONCLUSIONS: ICU patients experienced that they were neither involved in the process of forthcoming care nor adequately prepared for the transfer to the ward. Relevant and comprehensible information and sufficient time to prepare were needed to reduce stress and promote efficient recovery. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The study suggests that current transfer strategies are not optimal, and a more person-centred discharge procedure would be beneficial to support patients and family members in the transition from the ICU to the ward.

Extended physiotherapy after Intensive Care Unit (ICU) stay: A prospective pilot study with a before and after design.

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether extended compared to standard level of physiotherapy is feasible and has beneficial effects on physical function in ICU survivors. METHODS: This prospective pilot study with a before and after design included patients discharged from ICU to a surgical ward. The comparison group were recruited between January and April 2019 and received standard level of physiotherapy. The intervention group were recruited between May and December 2019 and received extended physiotherapy, corresponding to 50% additional physiotherapist, working 4 hours per weekday. The intervention participants received an individual rehabilitation plan developed in collaboration with a ward-based physiotherapist, and an extended number of sessions provided by the extra resource included practicing individualized exercises, for example walking and stair climbing. Physical function was measured with the Chelsea Critical Care Physical Assessment tool (CPAx) at ICU discharge, during hospital stay and discharge. Group differences were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U-test and Chi2 test. RESULTS: Out of 46 eligible patients, 39 (85%) fulfilled the study (comparison n = 12, intervention n = 27) and were included in the final analyses. No adverse events occurred, and the attendance rate was high (98.5%). There were no statistically significant differences between the groups regarding physical function, hospital stay, and readmissions, but there were tendencies to better outcomes in all these parameters in favor of the intervention group. Additionally, patients in the intervention group had statistically significantly higher scores in the CPAx items "transferring from bed to chair" (median 5 vs 4, p = .039) and "stepping" (median 5 vs 4, p = .005) at hospital discharge. CONCLUSION: This pilot study indicates that extended physiotherapy after ICU discharge is feasible and does not entail patient safety risks. However, determining the potential beneficial effects for the patients remains to be evaluated in a larger trial.

Effects of a person-centred, nurse-led follow-up programme on adherence to prescribed medication among patients surgically treated for intermittent claudication: randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Management of intermittent claudication should include secondary prevention to reduce the risk of cardiocerebrovascular disease. Patient adherence to secondary prevention is a challenge. The aim of this study was to investigate whether a person-centred, nurse-led follow-up programme could improve adherence to medication compared with standard care. METHODS: A non-blinded RCT was conducted at two vascular surgery centres in Sweden. Patients with intermittent claudication and scheduled for revascularization were randomized to the intervention or control (standard care) follow-up programme. The primary outcome, adherence to prescribed secondary preventive medication, was based on registry data on dispensed medication and self-reported intake of medication. Secondary outcomes were risk factors for cardiocerebrovascular disease according to the Framingham risk score. RESULTS: Some 214 patients were randomized and analysed on an intention-to-treat basis. The mean proportion of days covered (PDC) at 1 year for lipid-modifying agents was 79 per cent in the intervention and 82 per cent in the control group, whereas it was 92 versus 91 per cent for antiplatelet and/or anticoagulant agents. The groups did not differ in mean PDC (lipid-modifying P = 0.464; antiplatelets and/or anticoagulants P = 0.700) or in change in adherence over time. Self-reported adherence to prescribed medication was higher than registry-based adherence regardless of allocation or medication group (minimum P < 0.001, maximum P = 0.034). There was no difference in median Framingham risk score at 1 year between the groups. CONCLUSION: Compared with the standard follow-up programme, a person-centred, nurse-led follow-up programme did not improve adherence to secondary preventive medication. Adherence was overestimated when self-reported compared with registry-reported.

Increasing patients' awareness of their own health: Experiences of participating in follow-up programs after surgical treatment for intermittent claudication.

INTRODUCTION: Claudication is the most usual symptom of peripheral artery disease, it is described as painful contractions in the leg when walking and alleviated upon resting. People with claudication have an added risk of cardiocerebrovascular events, amputation, and death. Adherence to medical treatment and changes in lifestyles can lower this risk, but this secondary prevention therapy requires engagement, participation, and adherence from the patient. OBJECTIVE: To explore patients' experiences of participating in a 1-year multicentre clinical trial with two follow-up programs evaluating a nurse-led, patient-centered health-promoting programme after surgical treatment for claudication, the FASTIC study. METHODS: A descriptive design with qualitative semi-structured interviews was used among participants in the FASTIC study. The study was conducted at two centres for vascular surgery in the city of Stockholm, Sweden. In all, 17 patients (nine men and eight women) who had completed the FASTIC study participated. Data was analysed using qualitative content analysis with an inductive approach. RESULTS: Two main categories were identified, 'Patient-Professional collaboration' and 'Experience of one´s health', which were associated with four subcategories: facing opportunities and obstacles, cooperating based on the illness experience, increasing awareness of one's own health, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. CONCLUSIONS: Patients' participation in follow-up programs after surgical treatment for claudication is highly valuable for an increased awareness of one's own health. A person-centered care with patient-professional collaboration is experienced as important for maintaining a health-promoting lifestyle.