Perceptions of ICU Diary Utility and Feasibility in a Combat ICU

Area of Science:

• Critical Care Medicine
• Nursing
• Military Health

Background:

• Patients in intensive care units (ICUs) often struggle to recall their experiences, potentially leading to emotional distress.
• ICU patient journals, which document key events during a patient's stay, have shown promise in enhancing emotional well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility and perceptions of implementing ICU patient journals within a combat ICU setting.
• To evaluate the impact of ICU journals on nursing job satisfaction and perceived connection with patients.

Main Methods:

• A survey was administered to ICU nursing staff at Craig Joint Theater Hospital before and after the introduction of ICU journals.
• 16 pre-implementation and 10 post-implementation surveys were analyzed to gauge perceptions of utility, feasibility, and impact on job satisfaction.

Main Results:

• Nurses reported positive perceptions of ICU journaling, with a significant increase in those believing journals benefit nurses post-implementation (31% vs. 80%, p = 0.002).
• Nurses using journals were more likely to feel their work made a difference (90%, p = 0.012) and connect with patients personally (50%, p = 0.037).
• Key barriers identified were time constraints and legal concerns.

Conclusions:

• ICU patient journals can be successfully integrated into a deployed ICU setting with appropriate guidance.
• Nursing staff perceive ICU journals as beneficial for patients, families, the unit, and themselves.