Critical care unit transfer: reducing patient stress through nursing interventions

Area of Science:

• Nursing interventions
• Cardiovascular nursing
• Patient stress management

Background:

• Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) hospitalization requires intensive care unit (CCU) transfer.
• CCU transfer is a stressful period for patients, impacting recovery.
• Continuity of care is crucial for managing patient stress during transitions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the effectiveness of two nursing interventions in reducing patient stress during CCU transfer.
• To evaluate the impact of family-centered nursing versus a pre-transfer staff nurse relationship on patient outcomes.
• To identify nursing strategies that promote patient well-being during critical care transitions.

Main Methods:

• Randomized controlled trial involving 30 acute myocardial infarction patients.
• Comparison of a family-centered nursing approach with a pre-transfer staff nurse-patient relationship.
• Assessment of psychosocial and physiological measures, including patient-reported stress, family-reported stress, nurse-reported stress, and cardiovascular complications.

Main Results:

• Experimental groups receiving nursing interventions reported significantly lower patient, family, and nurse-assessed stress.
• Lower rates of cardiovascular complications within 24 and 72 hours post-transfer were observed in intervention groups.
• No significant difference was found in physical complaints reported by patients on the evening of transfer.

Conclusions:

• Both family-centered nursing and establishing a pre-transfer staff nurse relationship are effective in reducing patient stress during CCU transfer.
• These nursing interventions contribute to improved patient outcomes and reduced cardiovascular complications.
• Nursing strategies focused on continuity of care and patient support are vital for mitigating stress in critical care settings.