Communicating with sedated ventilated patients in intensive care: focusing on the use of touch

Communication with intensive care patients is of paramount importance, especially when communicating with a critically ill patient who is sedated and ventilated, and therefore unable to speak. Disclosure under these circumstances is extremely difficult, so in this situation touch is a valuable means of conveying messages. Consequently, touch as a way of communicating is discussed in this paper, highlighting the advantages and disadvantages. Barriers to communication in this environment are also discussed.