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Intensive care
Intensive care: Patients' experiences
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Reasons for admission :
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Coming round and regaining consciousness
Sleep, dreams and hallucinations
Intensive care treatments
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Emotional experiences in ICU
Nursing care in ICU
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The general ward: care and environment
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Recovering at home :
Physical recovery
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Making sense of what happened
ICU follow-up care
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Intensive care: Patients' experiences
Subject index
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Intensive care
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Intensive care: Patients' experiences
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Aged 41-50
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Interview 04
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His fears were unfounded and he was reassured to find that all the nurses in ICU were excellent.
Had bowel complications and septicaemia. Was in intensive care for nearly 5 weeks. Spent 1 week in a High Dependency Unit and was then discharged.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: Patients' experiences
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Aged 61-70
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Interview 18
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She had to clean up after her husband because nurses took so long to attend to him.
Was diagnosed with cancer of the oesophagus in 2004. 2-day stay in ICU was planned, following surgery. Transferred to general ward in private hospital. Had to have a second operation and, because of complications, was admitted to ICU in NHS hospital. Spent 18 days in ICU. Had several more operations. In hospital for 5 weeks.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: Patients' experiences
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Aged 71 plus
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Interview 31
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He had no clear memories of being ill in intensive care but enjoyed his stay.
Went into hospital for a knee replacement operation in 2003. Was admitted to intensive care because of organ failure (lungs). Spent 2 weeks in intensive care and 3 weeks in a general ward.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: Patients' experiences
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Aged 61-70
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Interview 20
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He said that he was cared for by fantastic and caring nurses of every nationality.
Was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2004. Because of complication (idiopathic thrombocytopenia, diagnosed in 2000), short stay in intensive care was planned, following surgery. Spent 8 days in intensive care and 18 days in general ward.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: Patients' experiences
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Aged 51-60
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Interview 23
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He praised the hard work and care of the ICU nurses as well as the food and cleanliness.
Was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2004. Complications led to a 17- day stay in intensive care and 2 weeks on general ward.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: Patients' experiences
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Aged 71 plus
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Interview 22
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He praised the care and treatment he had and felt he was very well looked after.
Was admitted to ICU in 2004 because of a rare infection caused by slight dog bite. Had finger and toes amputated. Was in intensive care for 17 days and was discharged after a short stay in a general ward. Later attended another hospital for skin grafts.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: Patients' experiences
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Aged 71 plus
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Interview 10
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She was disappointed when she didn't receive some of the things she'd asked for or was expecting.
Was diagnosed with pancreatitis in 2004. Spent over a week in intensive care and 1 week in a general ward.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: Patients' experiences
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Aged 51-60
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Interview 37
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He had a road traffic accident and his first memory was of being in a ward a few weeks later.
Was admitted to intensive care in 2004 after having a motorbike accident. Spent 9 days in intensive care and 16 days in a trauma ward.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: Patients' experiences
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Aged 41-50
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Interview 29
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She panicked about being weaned off the ventilator in case she couldn't breathe, but medical staff supported her.
Had a planned hysterectomy in 2004. Complications led to a second operation. Was admitted to intensive care because of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome. Spent 2 weeks in intensive care, 1 day in High Dependence Unit and 1 week in a general ward.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: Patients' experiences
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Aged 41-50
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Interview 24
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She felt more positive after having her legs shaved by nurses and her eyebrows shaped by a beauty therapist.
Was admitted to intensive care in 2004 because of severe pneumonia. Spent about 5 weeks in intensive care and nearly 2 weeks in a general ward.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: Patients' experiences
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Aged 41-50
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Interview 29
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She recalled how the nurses went out of their way to help her feel cared for and positive.
Had a planned hysterectomy in 2004. Complications led to a second operation. Was admitted to intensive care because of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome. Spent 2 weeks in intensive care, 1 day in High Dependence Unit and 1 week in a general ward.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: Patients' experiences
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Aged 51-60
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Interview 07
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He recalled how nurses joked with him yet were quiet and gentle with people who needed a different approach.
Was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre Syndrome, a rare disorder of the peripheral nerves, those outside the brain and spinal chord. Was in intensive care for 7 months and on a ward for 1 month. Was preparing to have rehabilitation at time of interview.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: Patients' experiences
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Aged 41-50
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Interview 28
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He appreciated the staff working in ICU and the difficulties of imparting bad news to patients and families.
Was admitted to intensive care in 2004 because of septicaemia. Spent about 7 weeks in intensive care and 4 weeks in a general ward.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: Patients' experiences
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Aged 71 plus
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Interview 40
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The care he received couldn't have been better and he praised staff working at every level of the service.
Was diagnosed with an aneurysm in 2005. Intensive care stay was planned following surgery. Spent a couple of days in intensive care and a week in a general ward.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: Patients' experiences
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Aged 41-50
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Interview 24
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She felt that her care was inconsistent because some nurses helped her with daily activities while others didn't.
Was admitted to intensive care in 2004 because of severe pneumonia. Spent about 5 weeks in intensive care and nearly 2 weeks in a general ward.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: Patients' experiences
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Aged 31-40
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Interview 15
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She was happy with her care but advises nurses to remember that patients are intelligent people who are temporarily ill.
Was admitted to ICU three times in 2004 and spent, in total, about 1 month in intensive care. Spent several months in hospital, in different wards and had a hospital transfer. Was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease and, shortly afterwards, had an ileostomy.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: Patients' experiences
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Aged 51-60
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Interview 30
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She felt that nurses were desensitised and uncaring when they put monitoring technical equipment before talking with patients.
Was admitted to intensive care in 2005 because of epiglottitis and severe sepsis. Spent about 6 days in intensive care and 5 days in a High Dependency Unit.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: Patients' experiences
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Aged 51-60
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Interview 30
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She found the nursing care she received one of the most upsetting parts of her hospital experience.
Was admitted to intensive care in 2005 because of epiglottitis and severe sepsis. Spent about 6 days in intensive care and 5 days in a High Dependency Unit.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: Patients' experiences
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Aged 61-70
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Interview 18
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He felt that being in HDU could have prevented mistakes made on the ward because of poor communication.
Was diagnosed with cancer of the oesophagus in 2004. 2-day stay in ICU was planned, following surgery. Transferred to general ward in private hospital. Had to have a second operation and, because of complications, was admitted to ICU in NHS hospital. Spent 18 days in ICU. Had several more operations. In hospital for 5 weeks.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: Patients' experiences
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Aged 51-60
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Interview 39
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HDU would have been better for her husband who was still very confused and weak after being in ICU.
Was admitted to intensive care in 2005 after having an accident in the home. Spent about 4 days in intensive care and 3 days in a trauma ward.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: Patients' experiences
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Aged 61-70
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Interview 03
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He felt safe, protected and cared for in ICU but isolated on the ward and was still very weak.
In 2002 had throat surgery and knew he would go to High Dependency Unit afterwards. Overnight, however, had Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome and needed emergency bronchoscopy. Was in intensive care for 5 weeks and in ward for 5 weeks.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: Patients' experiences
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Aged 41-50
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Interview 08
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He was concerned about the experience of nurses on the ward and said mistakes were made with his medication.
Was admitted to ICU four times between 1994 and 2004 because of heart attack, angina, pneumonia and heart failure. In 2004, heart failure and chest infection led to a stay in ICU of about 10 days. Sadly, he died in February 2006.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: Patients' experiences
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Aged 61-70
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Interview 27
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He adored some of the nurses but felt others were very busy and uncaring and, on one occasion, left him in his chair for twelve hours.
Was admitted to intensive care in 2005 because of pancreatitis and septicaemia. Spent 2 weeks in intensive care, 2 weeks in a High Dependency Unit; 6 weeks in a general ward, and 2 weeks in a rehabilitation hospital.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: Patients' experiences
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Aged 51-60
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Interview 07
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He praised all the hospital staff but felt that nurses in ICU could give much more care and attention than those on the ward, who were much busier.
Was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre Syndrome, a rare disorder of the peripheral nerves, those outside the brain and spinal chord. Was in intensive care for 7 months and on a ward for 1 month. Was preparing to have rehabilitation at time of interview.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: Patients' experiences
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Aged 61-70
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Interview 03
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He felt there was a lack of continuity and co-ordination in the ward and never saw a counsellor even though this had been discussed.
In 2002 had throat surgery and knew he would go to High Dependency Unit afterwards. Overnight, however, had Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome and needed emergency bronchoscopy. Was in intensive care for 5 weeks and in ward for 5 weeks.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: Patients' experiences
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Aged 31-40
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Interview 35
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He was still too weak to move or lift things when he was transferred to a ward and would have liked a HDU in his hospital.
Was admitted to intensive care in 2004 because of Guillain-Barre Syndrome. This is a rare disorder of the peripheral nerves, those outside the brain and the spinal chord. Spent 17 days in intensive care and about 1 week in general ward. Was then transferred to rehabilitation ward in another hospital, and spent about 3 months there.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: Patients' experiences
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Aged 30 and under
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Interview 17
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His family wondered how he'd got pneumonia and MRSA when he was in hospital, and was surprised to overhear medical staff discussing him privately.
Has sickle cell anaemia and was experiencing chest pain, which turned out to be pneumonia. Breathing difficulties led to ICU admission and, because of multiple organ failure, spent about 12 days in ICU. Following ICU, spent 2 weeks in general ward.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: Patients' experiences
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Aged 71 plus
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Interview 10
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Some of the nurses couldn't understand what she was saying because English was their second language and she found this difficult when she was extreme
Was diagnosed with pancreatitis in 2004. Spent over a week in intensive care and 1 week in a general ward.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: Patients' experiences
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Aged 41-50
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Interview 25
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His partner noticed that nurses often didn't wash their hands or wear gloves when they attended to different patients.
Was admitted to intensive care in 2003 because of severe pneumonia, septicaemia, liver abcess and kidney failure. Spent about 4 weeks in intensive care and 2 weeks in a general ward.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: Patients' experiences
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Aged 41-50
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Interview 01
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She found the care on the ward excellent and felt like she needed to do more for herself once she was there.
Was admitted to intensive care in 1998 because of a complication during pregnancy, leading to septic shock. Was in ICU for 11 days and in general ward for 2 weeks. Recovered well and has had no further problems related to that illness.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: Patients' experiences
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Aged 41-50
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Interview 01
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She was extremely weak and her family worried that if she needed anything during the night, no one would be around to help.
Was admitted to intensive care in 1998 because of a complication during pregnancy, leading to septic shock. Was in ICU for 11 days and in general ward for 2 weeks. Recovered well and has had no further problems related to that illness.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: Patients' experiences
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Aged 31-40
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Interview 06
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She was anxious about moving to a general ward because she was too weak to do anything for herself and had no energy to press the buzzer.
Was admitted to intensive care in 2003 because of pneumonia, and developed septicaemia. Spent 3 weeks in ICU, 36 hours in a High Dependency Unit and 5 weeks on a general ward.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: Patients' experiences
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Aged 41-50
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Interview 29
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Nurses expected her to be able to wash herself but became aware of her weakness and needs with time.
Had a planned hysterectomy in 2004. Complications led to a second operation. Was admitted to intensive care because of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome. Spent 2 weeks in intensive care, 1 day in High Dependence Unit and 1 week in a general ward.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: Patients' experiences
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Aged 41-50
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Interview 26
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He and his wife enjoy going back to ICU to see the nurses and thank them again for all they did for him.
Was admitted to intensive care in 2005 because of severe pneumonia. Spent 30 days in intensive care and 8 days in a general ward.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: Patients' experiences
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Aged 31-40
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Interview 34
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Going from ICU to a ward was a shock, but was glad to be recovering.
Was admitted to intensive care in 2001 because of acute pancreatitis. Spent 46 days in intensive care and 1 month in general ward. Needed to have surgery and was transferred to another hospital. Spent 4 weeks in hospital before surgery, 30 days in intensive care and 3 months in general ward. Overall length of stay in 2 hospitals was 7 ½ months.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: Patients' experiences
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Aged 31-40
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Interview 06
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She appreciated talking to a nurse about her psychological recovery but would have liked more on-going support while she was at home.
Was admitted to intensive care in 2003 because of pneumonia, and developed septicaemia. Spent 3 weeks in ICU, 36 hours in a High Dependency Unit and 5 weeks on a general ward.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: Patients' experiences
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Aged 61-70
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Interview 27
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He appreciates the care he got in ICU, HDU and on the ward, and would like to go back and thank the nurses again when he feels 'clearer'.
Was admitted to intensive care in 2005 because of pancreatitis and septicaemia. Spent 2 weeks in intensive care, 2 weeks in a High Dependency Unit; 6 weeks in a general ward, and 2 weeks in a rehabilitation hospital.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: Patients' experiences
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Aged 61-70
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Interview 18
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She was very concerned about the nursing care on the ward and about her husband's wound, which had become infected.
Was diagnosed with cancer of the oesophagus in 2004. 2-day stay in ICU was planned, following surgery. Transferred to general ward in private hospital. Had to have a second operation and, because of complications, was admitted to ICU in NHS hospital. Spent 18 days in ICU. Had several more operations. In hospital for 5 weeks.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: Patients' experiences
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Aged 61-70
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Interview 03
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He valued the care he received from nurses while he was ill, and wants to help others who have no relatives to support them when they are in intensive
In 2002 had throat surgery and knew he would go to High Dependency Unit afterwards. Overnight, however, had Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome and needed emergency bronchoscopy. Was in intensive care for 5 weeks and in ward for 5 weeks.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: Patients' experiences
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Aged 41-50
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Interview 08
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He advises people not to be afraid of intensive care because the nursing care and treatments are of a very high standard.
Was admitted to ICU four times between 1994 and 2004 because of heart attack, angina, pneumonia and heart failure. In 2004, heart failure and chest infection led to a stay in ICU of about 10 days. Sadly, he died in February 2006.
Topic
Intensive care
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Intensive care: Patients' experiences
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Nursing care in ICU
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Nursing care in ICU
Nursing Care in ICU
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