The Living, Dynamic and Complex Environment Care in Intensive Care Unit

Area of Science:

• Critical Care Medicine
• Nursing
• Sociology

Background:

• The intensive care unit environment is a critical factor in patient outcomes.
• Limited understanding exists regarding the multifaceted experiences within the Adult Intensive Care Unit (AICU).

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the meaning of the AICU environment of care from diverse stakeholder perspectives.
• To develop a theoretical model of the AICU environment of care.

Main Methods:

• Grounded Theory methodology was employed for data collection and analysis.
• 39 semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted across three AICUs using theoretical sampling.

Main Results:

• A substantive theory, "Sustaining life in the complex environment of care in the Intensive Care Unit," was developed.
• Key categories included patient monitoring, technology use, environmental suitability, family presence, mediating factors, unit management, and coping with death.

Conclusions:

• The AICU care environment is a living, dynamic, and complex system that sustains hospitalized patients' lives.
• This study provides a theoretical framework for understanding the AICU environment's impact on patient care.