Mixed-method acceptability evaluation of a co-designed bundled intervention to support communication for patients with an advanced airway in the intensive care unit during a pandemic

Although bundled communication interventions are recommended to address communication barriers for patients with an advanced airway in the intensive care unit (ICU) such interventions have not been evaluated in pandemic conditions.

To evaluate the acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility of a co-designed bundled intervention to support communication with adult patients with an advanced airway in ICU in pandemic conditions.

Prospective, convergent mixed method design in a single centre medical-surgical ICU in Toronto, Canada between September 2021-March 2022. After the use of the co-designed bundled communication intervention quantitative data were collected from health care providers using validated acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility measures and analysed using descriptive statistics. Qualitative data were collected from providers, patients and families using semi-structured interviews and analysed using content analysis applying the theoretical framework of acceptability. Joint table analysis enabled the integration of the two data sets.

A total of 64 (41.3%) HCPs responded to the survey: 54 (84.4%) rated the intervention acceptable; 55 (85.9%) appropriate; and 49 (76.6%) feasible for use in this context. Qualitative data (23 interviews: 13 healthcare providers, 6 families and 4 patients) and the joint table analysis extended the understanding that intervention acceptability was related to positive affective attitudes and reduced communication frustration. Appropriateness and feasibility were promoted through intervention alignment with values, ability to personalize tools, and ease of access. Recommendations to improve the acceptability included adaptation for immobilized and/or restrained patients, additional education, and integration into existing workflows.

This mixed method evaluation of a co-designed bundled intervention to support patient communication in the ICU during pandemic conditions demonstrated high rated and described acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility by participants.

A co-designed communication intervention demonstrating stakeholder acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility can be implemented into clinical practice in pandemic and other infection prevention and control contexts.