3 ways intensive care units can better educate patients

Megan Knowles -

Intensive care units can work to improve patient and family caregiver education through a centralized digital platform, according to a study published in Critical Care Nurse.

The researchers gathered education materials from each of their four institutions to develop an educational framework, which was designed to reflect how patients and family members interact with the ICU. The researchers then developed a digital guide to help patients and their caregivers navigate the ICU, noting any shifting needs or priorities during their hospital admission.

Here are three educational guidelines for patients and family caregivers in the ICU, based on the study's results.

1. Include navigation guides, introduce patients and caregivers to the ICU care team and provide an overview of a typical day in the ICU.

2. Review the patient room, equipment used for treatment, patient safety measures and potential complications.

3. Provide information on how patients may have to transition into both rehabilitation and hospice care settings and include information on what to do if a patient's health fails to improve.

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