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Intensive care
Intensive care: Patients' experiences
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Reasons for admission :
Emergency admissions
Planned admissions
Experiences in intensive care :
Coming round and regaining consciousness
Sleep, dreams and hallucinations
Intensive care treatments
Physiotherapy
Emotional experiences in ICU
Nursing care in ICU
Death and bereavement
High Dependency Unit (HDUs)
Experiences in the general ward :
The general ward: care and environment
Physical and emotional experiences
Physiotherapy on the ward
Discharge and moving on
Recovering at home :
Physical recovery
Emotional aspects of recovery
Making sense of what happened
ICU follow-up care
Attitudes to life during and after recovery
Impact on family
Impact on work
Sources of support
Messages to others
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For people admitted to ICU for emergency treatment
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Intensive care: Patients' experiences
Subject index
Topic
Intensive care
>>
Intensive care: Patients' experiences
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Attitudes to life during and after recovery
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Attitudes to life during and after recovery
Attitudes to life during and after recovery
Intensive care
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Intensive care: Patients' experiences
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Emotional aspects of recovery
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Emotional aspects of recovery
Emotional aspects of recovery
Intensive care
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Intensive care: Patients' experiences
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Physical recovery
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Physical recovery
Physical Recovery
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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 felt extremely emotional at different times and discussed his feelings with a doctor at a follow-up appointment.
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 04
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She now appreciates what's important to her in life and wants to enjoy it more.
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 31-40
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Interview 05
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She froze when she saw a nurse because it reminded her of being in ICU.
Had pneumonia and severe sepsis. Was in intensive care for 22 days, the High Dependency Unit for 10 days and just over a week on 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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He now values spending more time with family and the memories they share and create together.
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 51-60
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Interview 07
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He has had to learn to be patient but will be living life as normal once he is better.
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 used to be an insomniac but now gets a full night's sleep.
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 30 and under
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Interview 12
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Her wound is slowly healing and she is looking forward to doing all the things she enjoyed before her illness.
Was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. Had to have surgery to remove colon. Had kidney failure and was in intensive care for about 21 days, High Dependency Unit for about 2 weeks and a general ward for 2 weeks.
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 71 plus
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Interview 22
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He'd never been in hospital before and surprised himself at how easily he accepted all that had happened to him.
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 41-50
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Interview 24
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She found it difficult to climb the steps leading to her front door and had to be wheeled around on an office chair inside the house.
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 51-60
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Interview 09
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He could shave one day and have a bath the next but didn't have the strength or energy to do both.
Was admitted to intensive care in 2004 because of a severe asthma attack. Was in intensive care for 3 days and on a general ward for about ten days.
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 needed a few days to recover from a short walk and had no strength to do the jobs around the house he would normally have done.
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 41-50
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Interview 04
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He didn't know how much to tell his partner in case it worried her and hindered her recovery.
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 41-50
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Interview 24
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Her illness made her realise that life is precious and she is now less tolerant when people complain.
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 06
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She now sees her ICU experience as a part of her life and a part of who she is.
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 28
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It took him four months before he could walk without a stick but he slowly regained mobility and put on weight.
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 31-40
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Interview 06
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She was extremely weak when she left hospital but was gradually able to look after her daughter and has since had another baby.
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 24
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At first she was afraid of being on her own at home but set herself small goals and gradually re-built her confidence.
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 33
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He had very little pain after the operation and on his second day back home was able to walk a mile.
Had planned triple heart bypass surgery in 2004. After surgery, spent 1 day in intensive care, 2 days in a High Dependency Unit, and 2 days 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 04
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She often felt angry and frustrated because she wanted to make the most of life but, physically, that was impossible.
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 03
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He became depressed after being in hospital and realised that many problems from the past hadn't been dealt with.
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 04
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She felt reassured when she discussed her feelings with a nurse and learnt that how she felt was normal after critical illness.
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 41-50
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Interview 01
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She was a nurse in the ICU where she was a patient, and asked questions over and over again in hospital and when she was back home.
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 51-60
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Interview 37
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He had no recollection of his time in hospital and talking to nurses who had looked after him helped him piece together what had happened in ICU.
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 31-40
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Interview 34
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He was in intensive care twice and, on both occasions, found out from family, friends and medical staff what really happened and what was hallucinatio
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 15
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Although she no longer looks at her diary, writing it all down when she was recovering helped her make sense of what had happened.
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 31-40
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Interview 14
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She wanted to focus on being well enough to be a good mother, wife and nurse instead of concentrating on what had happened in hospital.
Had a planned caesarean in 2005. Had a complication (placenta accreta) after she'd delivered and had to have a hysterectomy. Following hysterectomy, was in ICU for nearly 2 days, then spent 2 days in her own room in the hospital with her new baby. Discharged herself and has had no problems since.
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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For him, moving on and recovering included talking with relatives about what had happened and seeing the funny side of the hallucinations.
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
>>
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
>>
Aged 61-70
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Interview 27
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He didn't want to hear it would take a long time to recover but realised that people meant well.
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
>>
Aged 41-50
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Interview 01
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The follow-up team explained how she might feel over the coming months and a psychologist helped her talk about some of her feelings and experiences.
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 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 41-50
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Interview 26
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He would have appreciated a phone call after leaving hospital but his hospital organised no follow-up.
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 41-50
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Interview 01
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She wanted to change her appearance, decorate the house and have more quality time, and was reassured by her psychologist that this was normal after c
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
>>
Aged 61-70
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Interview 27
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He is now able to talk about his hospital experience in the past tense and has become more patient, tolerant and sensitive.
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 30
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She wants to downsize and enjoy life more but worries about growing older.
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 41-50
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Interview 28
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He looks better than before his illness because he has stopped smoking, gained weight and eats more healthily.
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 30 and under
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Interview 17
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His critical illness strengthened his faith and he now wants to share his experience and knowledge of God with others.
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 41-50
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Interview 28
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He and his family treated each other differently for a while but they have now gone back to normal.
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
>>
Aged 41-50
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Interview 33
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He did a lot of walking while he was recovering at home and went back to work three months after having heart surgery.
Had planned triple heart bypass surgery in 2004. After surgery, spent 1 day in intensive care, 2 days in a High Dependency Unit, and 2 days in a general ward.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: Patients' experiences
>>
Aged 51-60
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Interview 37
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He was disappointed that his pay would be reduced if he continued working part-time, but later realised that returning to full-time hours had made him
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
>>
Aged 41-50
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Interview 01
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Her experience of intensive care led her and her colleagues to change several things in their unit, including having clocks, new bins, pamphlets and a
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 14
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Her mother and her friends helped with cooking, cleaning and looking after her baby, so that she could rest during the day.
Had a planned caesarean in 2005. Had a complication (placenta accreta) after she'd delivered and had to have a hysterectomy. Following hysterectomy, was in ICU for nearly 2 days, then spent 2 days in her own room in the hospital with her new baby. Discharged herself and has had no problems since.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: Patients' experiences
>>
Aged 41-50
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Interview 29
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She was looking forward to meeting a friend of a friend so they could talk about their experiences of intensive care.
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
>>
Aged 61-70
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Interview 27
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He advises people to set realistic goals for themselves and to take responsibility for their own recovery by focusing on the bigger picture.
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 30 and under
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Interview 17
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He advises relatives to keep giving love and encouragement to their loved ones because it will help their recovery.
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.
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