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Maintaining patient dignity in intensive care settings
1Division of Nursing Practice Development, Faculty of Health, Social Work and Education, University of Northumbria at Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. chris.turnock@unn.ac.uk
Intensive & Critical Care Nursing
|March 1, 2002
Summary
Maintaining patient dignity in intensive care units (ICUs) is challenging. This study developed strategies to minimize patient exposure, improving care through enhanced staff awareness and patient clothing.
Area of Science:
- Medical Sociology
- Nursing Care
- Patient Experience
Background:
- Maintaining patient dignity, especially minimizing genital exposure, is a significant challenge in intensive care units (ICUs).
- Current practices often lead to inappropriate exposure, compromising patient dignity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and implement strategies to maximize patient dignity in ICUs.
- To address the problem of inappropriate patient exposure during care.
Main Methods:
- Action research methodology employed, including non-participant observation of patient care.
- Multi-disciplinary focus groups identified solutions.
- Audit of implemented recommendations assessed effectiveness.
Main Results:
- Patient dignity was maintained in only one-third of observed cases; intimate areas were exposed in over 40% of incidents.
- Female and younger patients (<60 years) faced higher exposure risks.
- Recommendations included increased staff awareness and improved patient clothing, leading to better dignity maintenance.
Conclusions:
- Inappropriate patient exposure in ICUs is prevalent and linked to patient demographics.
- Implementing strategies like enhanced staff awareness and adequate patient clothing significantly improves the maintenance of patient dignity.