Combined Effect of Early Nutrition Therapy and Rehabilitation for Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Exacerbation: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial.

The effectiveness of rehabilitation programs (RP) for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation remains controversial. However, few studies have investigated the combined effects of exercise and nutritional therapy. This study aimed to determine the effects of combined nutritional therapy on the physical function and nutritional status of patients with COPD exacerbation who underwent early RP. A randomized controlled trial was conducted in patients hospitalized for COPD exacerbations. Patients were assigned to receive a regular diet in addition to RP (control group) or RP and nutrition therapy (intervention group). Physical function, including quadricep strength and body composition, was assessed. The intervention group was administered protein-rich oral nutritional supplements. A total of 38 patients with negligible baseline differences were included in the analysis. The intervention group showed a notably greater change in quadriceps strength. Lean body mass and skeletal muscle indices markedly decreased in the control group but were maintained in the intervention group. Logistic regression analysis identified nutritional therapy as a significant factor associated with increased muscle strength. No serious adverse events were observed in either group. Therefore, nutritional therapy combined with RP is safe and effective for improving exercise function while maintaining body composition in patients with COPD exacerbation.

Clinical features and outcomes of in-hospital cardiac arrest in code blue events: a retrospective observational study.

Background: In-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) is a critical medical event with outcomes less researched compared to out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. This retrospective observational study aimed to investigate key aspects of IHCA epidemiology and prognosis in patients with Code Blue activation. Methods: This retrospective observational study enrolled patients with Code Blue events in our hospital between January 2010 and October 2019. Participant characteristics, including age and sex, and IHCA characteristics, including the time of cardiac arrest, witnessed event, bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), initial shockable rhythm, vital signs at 1 and 6 h before IHCA, survival to hospital discharge (SHD), and the cardiac arrest survival postresuscitation in-hospital (CASPRI) score were included in univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses with SHD as the primary endpoint. Results: From the 293 Code Blue events that were activated during the study period, 81 participants were enrolled. Overall, the SHD rate was 28.4%, the median CPR duration was 14 (interquartile range, 6-28) min, and the rate of initial shockable rhythm was 19.8%. There were significant intergroup differences between the SHD and non-SHD groups in the CPR duration, shockable rhythm, and CASPRI score on univariate logistic regression analysis. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the CASPRI score was the most accurate predictive factor for SHD (OR = 0.98, p = 0.006). Conclusions: The CASPRI score is associated with SHD in patients with IHCA during Code Blue events. Therefore, the CASPRI score of IHCA patients potentially constitutes a simple, useful adjunctive tool for the management of post-cardiac arrest syndrome.

The Reduced Ability to Perform Activities of Daily Living Is Associated with Prolonged Duration before Rehabilitation Initiation and Lower Dietary Intake of Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Exacerbation.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with exacerbated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have a reduced ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs). Rehabilitation programs (RPs) and nutritional therapy may affect the ability to perform ADLs. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to clarify the factors associated with reduced ability to perform ADLs in patients with COPD exacerbation. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A multivariate analysis of 75 patients (mean age, 77 years) with COPD exacerbation, divided into the Barthel index (BI) decline (△BI decreased ≥15) and without BI decline (△BI decreased ≤10) groups, was performed. Patient characteristics, duration before RP initiation, functional variables, and nutrition-related variables were compared between the groups. RESULTS: The degree of dyspnea and serum albumin levels before and at RP initiation were significantly lower in the BI decline group. The Hoffer classification score and duration between hospital admission and RP initiation were significantly higher and longer, respectively, in the BI decline group. The duration between hospital admission and RP initiation and dietary intake at RP initiation were independent predictors of reduced ability to perform ADLs. CONCLUSIONS: Early RP initiation and aggressive nutritional therapy may mitigate the risk of reduced ability to perform ADLs, thus decreasing dependence and disability in patients with COPD exacerbation.

Effect of linezolid on platelet count in critically ill patients with thrombocytopenia.

INTRODUCTION: Linezolid (LZD) is one of the antibiotics used to treat methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. In Japan, the dose of LZD is not generally adjusted by renal function or therapeutic drug monitoring and is readily available for critically ill patients. The adverse effects of LZD include pancytopenia, especially thrombocytopenia. We investigated the effect of LZD on platelet counts in critically ill patients with thrombocytopenia during admission to the intensive care unit (ICU). METHODS: Fifty-five critically ill patients with existing thrombocytopenia (platelet count < 100 ×103 /µL) who received LZD for five days or more during the period from January 2011 to October 2018 were included. Changes in platelet count and frequency of platelet concentrate (PC) transfusion were evaluated retrospectively. RESULTS: Mean (± standard error) platelet count prior to initiation of LZD was 47 ± 4 ×103 /uL, which increased significantly to 86 ± 13 ×103 /uL on day 15 (p<0.01). Median [interquartile range] duration of LZD therapy was 9 [8-12] days. Thirty-two patients (58.2%) required PC transfusion in the 15-day study period. The daily rate of PC transfusion decreased from 30.2% on days 1-5 to 18.2% on days 11-15. Similar tendencies were observed in patients with non-hematological and hematological disease. CONCLUSION: Thrombocytopenia in critically ill patients in the ICU did not worsen after initiation of LZD therapy, and may be considered for the treatment of MRSA in this setting.

Albumin protects the ultrastructure of the endothelial glycocalyx of coronary arteries in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in vivo.

Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury induces endothelial glycocalyx (GCX) degradation. Several candidate GCX-protective factors including albumin have been identified, few have been demonstrated in in vivo studies and most albumins used to date have been heterologous. Albumin is a carrier protein for sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P), which has protective effects on the cardiovascular system. However, changes inhibited by albumin in the endothelial GCX structure in I/R in vivo via the S1P receptor has not been reported. In this study, we aimed to determine whether albumin prevents the shedding of endothelial GCX in response to I/R in vivo. Rats were divided into four groups: control (CON), I/R, I/R with albumin preload (I/R + ALB), and I/R + ALB with S1P receptor agonist fingolimod (I/R + ALB + FIN). FIN acts as an initial agonist of S1P receptor 1 and downregulates the receptor in an inhibitory manner. The CON and I/R groups received saline and I/R + ALB and I/R + ALB + FIN groups received albumin solution before left anterior descending coronary artery ligation. Our study used rat albumin. Shedding of endothelial GCX was evaluated in the myocardium by electron microscopy, and the concentration of serum syndecan-1 was measured. Thus, albumin administration maintained the structure of endothelial GCX and prevented shedding of endothelial GCX via the S1P receptor in myocardial I/R, and FIN annihilated the protective effect of albumin against I/R injury.

Appetite loss and associated factors at 1 year after intensive care unit elder survivors in a secondary analysis of the SMAP-HoPe study.

Appetite loss, a common but serious issue in older patients, is an independent risk factor for sarcopenia, which is associated with high mortality. However, few studies have explored the phenomenon of appetite loss after discharge from the intensive care unit (ICU). Therefore, we aimed to describe the prevalence of appetite loss and relationship between appetite loss and depression in patients living at home 12 months after intensive care. This study involved secondary analysis of data obtained from a published ambidirectional study examining post-intensive care syndrome 12 months after discharge (SMAP-HoPe study) conducted in 12 ICUs in Japan. We included patients aged > 65 years. The Short Nutritional Assessment Questionnaire and Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale were used for the analysis. Descriptive statistics and a multilevel generalized linear model were used to clarify the relationship between appetite loss and depression. Data from 468 patients were analyzed. The prevalence of appetite loss was 25.4% (95% confidence interval [CI], 21.5-29.4). High severity of depression was associated with a high probability of appetite loss (odds ratio, 1.2; 95%CI, 1.14-1.28; p = 0.00). Poor appetite is common 12 months after intensive care and is associated with the severity of depression.

Transitional Care Programs for Patients with High Nursing Activity Scores Reduce Unplanned Readmissions to Intensive Care Units.

Background and Objectives: The main objective of a transitional care program (TCP) is to detect patients with early deterioration following intensive care unit (ICU) discharge in order to reduce unplanned ICU readmissions. Consensus on the effectiveness of TCPs in preventing unscheduled ICU readmissions remains lacking. In this case study assessing the effectiveness of TCP, we focused on the association of unplanned ICU readmission with high nursing activities scores (NASs), which are considered a risk factor for ICU readmission. Materials and Methods: This retrospective observational study analyzed the data of patients admitted to a single-center ICU between January 2016 and December 2019, with an NAS of >53 points at ICU discharge. The following data were extracted: patient characteristics, ICU treatment, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHE II) score at ICU admission, Charlson comorbidity index (CCI), 28-day mortality rate, and ICU readmission rate. The primary outcome was the association between unplanned ICU readmissions and the use of a TCP. The propensity score (PS) was calculated using the following variables: age, sex, APACHE II score, and CCI. Subsequently, logistic regression analysis was performed using the PS to evaluate the outcomes. Results: A total of 143 patients were included in this study, of which 87 (60.8%) participated in a TCP. Respiratory failure was the most common cause of unplanned ICU readmission. The unplanned ICU readmission rate was significantly lower in the TCP group. In the logistic regression model, TCP (odds ratio, 5.15; 95% confidence interval, 1.46−18.2; p = 0.01) was independently associated with unplanned ICU readmission. Conclusions: TCP intervention with a focus on patients with a high NAS (>53 points) may prevent unplanned ICU readmission.

Nursing Activities Score at Discharge from the Intensive Care Unit Is Associated with Unplanned Readmission to the Intensive Care Unit.

This study evaluated the accuracy of predicting unplanned the intensive care unit (ICU) readmission using the Nursing Activities Score (NAS) at ICU discharge based on nursing workloads, and compared it to the accuracy of the prediction made using the Stability and Workload Index for Transfer (SWIFT) score. Patients admitted to the ICU of Sapporo Medical University Hospital between April 2014 and December 2017 were included, and unplanned ICU readmissions were retrospectively evaluated using the SWIFT score and the NAS. Patient characteristics, such as age, sex, the Charlson Comorbidity Index, and sequential organ failure assessment score at ICU admission, were used as covariates, and logistic regression analysis was performed to calculate the odds ratios for the SWIFT score and NAS. Among 599 patients, 58 (9.7%) were unexpectedly readmitted to the ICU. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of NAS (0.78) was higher than that of the SWIFT score (0.68), and cutoff values were 21 for the SWIFT and 53 for the NAS. Multivariate analysis showed that the NAS was an independent predictor of unplanned ICU readmission. The NAS was superior to the SWIFT in predicting unplanned ICU readmission. NAS may be an adjunctive tool to predict unplanned ICU readmission.

Employment status and its associated factors for patients 12 months after intensive care: Secondary analysis of the SMAP-HoPe study.

BACKGROUND: Returning to work is a serious issue that affects patients who are discharged from the intensive care unit (ICU). This study aimed to clarify the employment status and the perceived household financial status of ICU patients 12 months following ICU discharge. Additionally, we evaluated whether there exists an association between depressive symptoms and subsequent unemployment status. METHODS: This study was a subgroup analysis of the published Survey of Multicenter Assessment with Postal questionnaire for Post-Intensive Care Syndrome for Home Living Patients (the SMAP-HoPe study) in Japan. Eligible patients were those who were employed before ICU admission, stayed in the ICU for at least three nights between October 2019 and July 2020, and lived at home for 12 months after discharge. We assessed the employment status, subjective cognitive functions, household financial status, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and EuroQOL-5 dimensions of physical function at 12 months following intensive care. RESULTS: This study included 328 patients, with a median age of 64 (interquartile range [IQR], 52-72) years. Of these, 79 (24%) were unemployed 12 months after ICU discharge. The number of patients who reported worsened financial status was significantly higher in the unemployed group (p<0.01) than in the employed group. Multivariable analysis showed that higher age (odds ratio [OR], 1.06; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03-1.08]) and greater severity of depressive symptoms (OR, 1.13 [95% CI, 1.05-1.23]) were independent factors for unemployment status at 12 months after ICU discharge. CONCLUSIONS: We found that 24.1% of our patients who had been employed prior to ICU admission were subsequently unemployed following ICU discharge and that depressive symptoms were associated with unemployment status. The government and the local municipalities should provide medical and financial support to such patients. Additionally, community and workplace support for such patients are warranted.

A Suggested Link Between Antithrombin Dose and Rate of Recovery from Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation in Patients with Severe Organ Failure.

INTRODUCTION: The efficacy of antithrombin (AT) supplementation against septic disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) may depend on various pre-existing factors, particularly the AT dose and multiple organ dysfunction severity. This study aimed to identify the impactful factors for early DIC recovery. METHODS: Patients' clinical records, including AT therapy and septic DIC data, were retrospectively extracted from January 2015 to December 2020. The patients were divided into those with early DIC recovery (n = 34) and those without (n = 37). Multivariate logistic regression analysis determined significant independent factors. Time-to-event analysis confirmed how these factors affected the DIC recovery time. RESULTS: The AT dose per patient body weight (odds ratio [95% confidence interval]: 2.879 [1.031-8.042], P = 0.044) and pre-existing organ dysfunction severity (0.333 [0.120-0.920], P = 0.034) were significant independent factors affecting early DIC recovery. A higher AT dose significantly shortened the DIC recovery time among patients with severe organ dysfunction (P < 0.01), but not among non-severe patients (P = 0.855). CONCLUSION: The therapeutic efficacy of AT treatment for septic DIC might depend on the severity of pre-existing organ failure and the AT dose per patient body weight.

Measurement of excitation-contraction coupling time in critical illness myopathy.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to develop a simple and reliable technique to assess excitation-contraction (E-C) coupling for early diagnosis of critical illness myopathy (CIM). METHODS: We prospectively performed clinical and electrophysiological examinations on patients admitted to intensive care unit (ICU). In addition to full neurological examinations and routine nerve conduction study, motor related potential (MRP) was recorded using an accelerometer attached to the base of hallux after tibial nerve stimulation, and E-C coupling time (ECCT) was measured from the latency difference between soleus compound muscle action potential (CMAP) and MRP. RESULTS: Of 41 patients evaluated, 25 met the criteria for ICU-acquired weakness, 23 of whom had CIM. The time to the first electrophysiological examination (time to first test) correlated negatively with CMAP and with MRP. Conversely, a positive correlation was observed between the time to first test and ECCT. E-C coupling impairment occurred in most of our patients with CIM by the third day of ICU admission, and prolonged ECCT could be the earliest detectable abnormality. CONCLUSIONS: The ECCT measurement is an easy and reliable technique to detect reduced muscle membrane excitability in the early stage of CIM. SIGNIFICANCE: The ECCT measured by our method using an accelerometer may be a parameter that predicts the development of CIM.

Efficacy of Intravenous Immunoglobulin Therapy for Patients With Sepsis and Low Immunoglobulin G Levels: A Single-Center Retrospective Study.

PURPOSE: The efficacy of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) administration in patients with sepsis or septic shock remains unclear. A single-center retrospective study was conducted to evaluate the association between IVIG supplementation and favorable outcomes in patients with sepsis and low serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels. METHODS: A total of 239 patients with sepsis were identified whose serum IgG levels were determined upon admission to the intensive care unit between January 2014 and March 2021. Patients with low IgG levels (<670 mg/dL) were divided into the IVIG and non-IVIG groups. Patient data were collected from electronic medical records to evaluate the patients' characteristics, sepsis severity, and prognosis. The primary outcome was 28-day mortality. The propensity score was calculated by using the following variables: age, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score, immunocompromised status, and serum IgG levels. Logistic regression analysis using propensity score as the adjusted variable was performed to evaluate the outcome. FINDINGS: Of 239 patients, 87 had low IgG levels. Of these patients, 47 received IVIG therapy. The 28-day (odds ratio [OR], 0.15; 95% CI, 0.04-0.54; P = 0.004) and 90-day (OR, 0.31; 95% CI, 0.11-0.83; P = 0.020) mortality rates were significantly lower in the IVIG group than in the non-IVIG group. Moreover, the number of days free from renal replacement therapy was significantly higher in the IVIG group than in the non-IVIG group (OR, 1.06; 95% CI, 1.01-1.11; P = 0.025). Serum IgG levels in the IVIG group showed no significant difference compared with those in the non-IVIG group. No significant differences in the patients' characteristics were observed between the groups. IMPLICATIONS: This study found that IVIG administration in patients with sepsis and low serum IgG levels was associated with improved prognosis. Further studies are warranted to evaluate the validity of IVIG therapy for patients with sepsis and low serum IgG levels.

Frequent tracheal suctioning is associated with extubation failure in patients with successful spontaneous breathing trial: a single-center retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Extubation failure, i.e., reintubation in ventilated patients, is a well-known risk factor for mortality and prolonged stay in the intensive care unit (ICU). Although sputum volume is a risk factor, the frequency of tracheal suctioning has not been validated as a predictor of reintubation. We conducted this study to examine whether frequent tracheal suctioning is a risk factor for reintubation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We included adult patients who were intubated for > 72 h in the ICU and extubated after completion of spontaneous breathing trial (SBT). We compared the characteristics and weaning-related variables, including the frequency of tracheal suctioning between patients who required reintubation within 24 h after extubation and those who did not, and examined the factors responsible for reintubation. RESULTS: Of the 400 patients enrolled, reintubation was required in 51 (12.8%). The most common cause of reintubation was difficulty in sputum excretion (66.7%). There were significant differences in sex, proportion of patients with chronic kidney disease, pneumonia, ICU admission type, the length of mechanical ventilation, and ICU stay between patients requiring reintubation and those who did not. Multivariate analysis showed frequent tracheal suction (> once every 2 h) and the length of mechanical ventilation were independent factors for predicting reintubation. CONCLUSION: We should examine the frequency of tracheal suctioning > once every 2 h in addition to the length of mechanical ventilation before deciding to extubate after completion of SBT in patients intubated for > 72 h in the ICU.

Comparison of the National Early Warning Scores and Rapid Emergency Medicine Scores with the APACHE II Scores as a Prediction of Mortality in Patients with Medical Emergency Team Activation: a Single-centre Retrospective Cohort Study.

INTRODUCTION: The medical emergency team enables the limitation of patients' progression to critical illness in the general ward. The early warning scoring system (EWS) is one of the criteria for medical emergency team activation; however, it is not a valid criterion to predict the prognosis of patients with MET activation. AIM: In this study, the National Early Warning Score (NEWS) and Rapid Emergency Medicine Score (REMS) was compared with that of the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score in predicting the prognosis of patients who had been treated a medical emergency team. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this single-centre retrospective cohort study, patients treated by a medical emergency team between April 2013 and March 2019 and the 28-day prognosis of MET-activated patients were assessed using APACHE II, NEWS, and REMS. RESULTS: Of the 196 patients enrolled, 152 (77.5%) were men, and 44 (22.5%) were women. Their median age was 68 years (interquartile range: 57-76 years). The most common cause of medical emergency team activation was respiratory failure (43.4%). Univariate analysis showed that APACHE II score, NEWS, and REMS were associated with 28-day prognostic mortality. There was no significant difference in the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of APACHE II (0.76), NEWS (0.67), and REMS (0.70); however, the sensitivity of NEWS (0.70) was superior to that of REMS (0.47). CONCLUSION: NEWS is a more sensitive screening tool like APACHE II than REMS for predicting the prognosis of patients with medical emergency team activation. However, because the accuracy of NEWS was not sufficient compared with that of APACHE II score, it is necessary to develop a screening tool with higher sensitivity and accuracy that can be easily calculated at the bedside in the general ward.

The Japanese Clinical Practice Guidelines for Management of Sepsis and Septic Shock 2020 (J-SSCG 2020).

The Japanese Clinical Practice Guidelines for Management of Sepsis and Septic Shock 2020 (J-SSCG 2020), a Japanese-specific set of clinical practice guidelines for sepsis and septic shock created as revised from J-SSCG 2016 jointly by the Japanese Society of Intensive Care Medicine and the Japanese Association for Acute Medicine, was first released in September 2020 and published in February 2021. An English-language version of these guidelines was created based on the contents of the original Japanese-language version. The purpose of this guideline is to assist medical staff in making appropriate decisions to improve the prognosis of patients undergoing treatment for sepsis and septic shock. We aimed to provide high-quality guidelines that are easy to use and understand for specialists, general clinicians, and multidisciplinary medical professionals. J-SSCG 2016 took up new subjects that were not present in SSCG 2016 (e.g., ICU-acquired weakness [ICU-AW], post-intensive care syndrome [PICS], and body temperature management). The J-SSCG 2020 covered a total of 22 areas with four additional new areas (patient- and family-centered care, sepsis treatment system, neuro-intensive treatment, and stress ulcers). A total of 118 important clinical issues (clinical questions, CQs) were extracted regardless of the presence or absence of evidence. These CQs also include those that have been given particular focus within Japan. This is a large-scale guideline covering multiple fields; thus, in addition to the 25 committee members, we had the participation and support of a total of 226 members who are professionals (physicians, nurses, physiotherapists, clinical engineers, and pharmacists) and medical workers with a history of sepsis or critical illness. The GRADE method was adopted for making recommendations, and the modified Delphi method was used to determine recommendations by voting from all committee members. As a result, 79 GRADE-based recommendations, 5 Good Practice Statements (GPS), 18 expert consensuses, 27 answers to background questions (BQs), and summaries of definitions and diagnosis of sepsis were created as responses to 118 CQs. We also incorporated visual information for each CQ according to the time course of treatment, and we will also distribute this as an app. The J-SSCG 2020 is expected to be widely used as a useful bedside guideline in the field of sepsis treatment both in Japan and overseas involving multiple disciplines.

The Japanese Clinical Practice Guidelines for Management of Sepsis and Septic Shock 2020 (J-SSCG 2020).

The Japanese Clinical Practice Guidelines for Management of Sepsis and Septic Shock 2020 (J-SSCG 2020), a Japanese-specific set of clinical practice guidelines for sepsis and septic shock created as revised from J-SSCG 2016 jointly by the Japanese Society of Intensive Care Medicine and the Japanese Association for Acute Medicine, was first released in September 2020 and published in February 2021. An English-language version of these guidelines was created based on the contents of the original Japanese-language version. The purpose of this guideline is to assist medical staff in making appropriate decisions to improve the prognosis of patients undergoing treatment for sepsis and septic shock. We aimed to provide high-quality guidelines that are easy to use and understand for specialists, general clinicians, and multidisciplinary medical professionals. J-SSCG 2016 took up new subjects that were not present in SSCG 2016 (e.g., ICU-acquired weakness [ICU-AW], post-intensive care syndrome [PICS], and body temperature management). The J-SSCG 2020 covered a total of 22 areas with four additional new areas (patient- and family-centered care, sepsis treatment system, neuro-intensive treatment, and stress ulcers). A total of 118 important clinical issues (clinical questions, CQs) were extracted regardless of the presence or absence of evidence. These CQs also include those that have been given particular focus within Japan. This is a large-scale guideline covering multiple fields; thus, in addition to the 25 committee members, we had the participation and support of a total of 226 members who are professionals (physicians, nurses, physiotherapists, clinical engineers, and pharmacists) and medical workers with a history of sepsis or critical illness. The GRADE method was adopted for making recommendations, and the modified Delphi method was used to determine recommendations by voting from all committee members.As a result, 79 GRADE-based recommendations, 5 Good Practice Statements (GPS), 18 expert consensuses, 27 answers to background questions (BQs), and summaries of definitions and diagnosis of sepsis were created as responses to 118 CQs. We also incorporated visual information for each CQ according to the time course of treatment, and we will also distribute this as an app. The J-SSCG 2020 is expected to be widely used as a useful bedside guideline in the field of sepsis treatment both in Japan and overseas involving multiple disciplines.

Using an ICU Diary to Communicate With Family Members of COVID-19 Patients in ICU: A Case Report.

Visitation restrictions for family members are problematic in intensive care management due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We analyzed the usefulness of an intensive care unit (ICU) diary about the experiences of family members of critical COVID-19 patients. Four family members of 2 COVID-19 patients participated in this report. Both patients were transferred to our ICU after 2 weeks of treatment at another ICU. An ICU diary was given to their family members post-transfer. The family members were interviewed before and after the patients' discharge; the recorded interviews were analyzed and categorized into several clusters using a text mining method. Five categories regarding their anxious feelings were classified before the use of the ICU diary, and 3 categories were based on their positive feelings after the use of the ICU diary. Intensive care unit diaries may be beneficial for disclosing patients' information when visitation restrictions are exercised due to the COVID-19 pandemic.