Thoracic and cardiovascular surgery patients: Intensive care unit experiences

Intensive care units are stressful places where patients experience physical and psychological discomfort. Understanding the experience of these patients regarding nursing care is very important.

To determine the intensive care experiences of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery patients and the factors that affect them.

The research consists of two phases: quantitative and qualitative.

This was a descriptive and cross-sectional study. Its research sample comprised 100 patients who spent at least one night in an intensive care unit after thoracic or cardiovascular surgery. The Intensive Care Experiences Scale (ICES) and the Numeric Rating Scale were used. Two open-ended questions were asked to the patients to understand what they felt when they were attached to mechanical ventilation and to describe their intensive care experiences.

The ICES mean score was 66.35 ± 6.88. Significant negative relationships were found between length of stay and severity of pain and ICES total scores. A significant difference was found between scale scores and being understood by health care professionals when attached to mechanical ventilation. The patients stated that, when they were attached to mechanical ventilation and during their stay in the intensive care unit, they experienced feelings of helplessness, uncertainty, and fear. They also experienced physical discomfort and reported no longer fearing death.

It was determined that patients partially positively perceived their experiences. It was found that they focused on coming out of surgery alive. The physical discomfort and negative emotions reported can be reduced or relieved by competent care.

The intensive care experiences and emotions of intensive care patients are important. Physical discomfort and negative emotions can be mitigated or alleviated by competent nursing care.