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Intensive care
Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
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Reasons for admission :
Emergency admissions
Planned admissions
In the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) :
Seeing the patient in ICU for the first time
Suspending normal routines: visiting ICU every day
Uncertainty
Emotional impact on relatives & friends in ICU
Impact on children
Telling others
Relationships within and between families
Receiving information and news from doctors
Sources of information in ICU
Nursing care
Keeping a diary
Sources of support in ICU
At the bedside:
Waiting for news
Signs of improvement and progress
The relatives' room and overnight accommodation:
The relatives' room
Overnight accommodation
When someone dies :
End of life decisions
Death and bereavement:
When someone dies
Funerals
Coping with bereavement
On a general ward :
The ward environment and nursing care
Hospital discharge and rehabilitation
Life after leaving the hospital :
Supporting and caring for the ill person at home
Impact on work and finances
Attitudes to life after the hospital experience
Messages to others
Emotional impact on relatives and carers
Emotional impact on family and friends
Adjusting to a changed life
Support and information
Support and information
Lack of support and information
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
Subject index
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Intensive care
>>
Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
>>
Aged 31-40
>>
Interview 23
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He and his partner never thought the symptoms she had would be serious, but when she started vomiting and coughing up blood he phoned NHS Direct for a
In 2006 his partner spent four weeks in ICU because of pneumonia. He visited her every day, sharing the visiting with his partner's parents.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
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Aged 51-60
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Interview 36
>>
Ask questions and be as positive as you can.
His father went to ICU after having a stroke and developing pneumonia. Members of the family supported one another and he is now closer to his sister.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
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Aged 61-70
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Interview 08
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Four weeks after surgery for bowel cancer, his wife had to have emergency surgery and went to ICU afterwards because of complications.
His wife was admitted to ICU after having complications during emergency surgery. During her time in hospital he had a lot of support from family and his local community.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
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Aged 51-60
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Interview 09
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Everything was explained to them so, when they left ICU, they felt their son was in safe hands and would receive all the care he needed.
Her son had lymphoma and bowel perforation and sadly died on a ward. She felt doctors should explain information clearly to relatives, who are usually unfamiliar with medical terms.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
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Aged 61-70
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Interview 08
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Because a friend had previously been in ICU after a car accident, he knew what to expect when his wife was admitted to intensive care after having eme
His wife was admitted to ICU after having complications during emergency surgery. During her time in hospital he had a lot of support from family and his local community.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
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Aged 70 +
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Interview 34
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She stayed at the hospital for a week and felt that, by being there and holding her partner's hand, she was doing some good.
Her partner had cancer of the kidney and was admitted to ICU after surgery. She visited daily and stayed in hospital overnight for a week.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
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Aged 41-50
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Interview 10
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She found waiting to be let into ICU stressful, especially when her partner was first admitted, and felt his parents probably ended up waiting longer
In 2006 her partner was diagnosed with Weil's disease, a rare bacterial infection. She stayed at the hospital for five nights and then in a nearby hotel.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
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Aged 31-40
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Interview 35
>>
At the time she desperately wanted to know if her mother would survive but doctors couldn't tell her because they didn't know themselves.
Her mother was admitted to ICU because of gallstones and other complications. She visited her every day, often with her two young daughters, and kept a diary.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
>>
Aged 51-60
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Interview 04
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In the early stages no one could give her information or hope on whether her son would be brain damaged after his accident.
In October 2004, her son had a motorbike accident and was admitted to ICU. He had a serious head injury and broken jaw.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
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Aged 31-40
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Interview 35
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She was devastated when her mother had to have further surgery because she could have died during it.
Her mother was admitted to ICU because of gallstones and other complications. She visited her every day, often with her two young daughters, and kept a diary.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
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Aged 31-40
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Interview 18
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After saying her goodbyes to her friend, all she could do was wait until after the operation for further news.
Her best friend spent two weeks in ICU. She was the closest person to her, visited her daily and is now her main carer.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
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Aged 51-60
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Interview 19
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Doctors couldn't say for sure whether her brother would ever be himself again, and she was told that recovery from head injuries was often long and un
Her brother had an accident while cleaning his motorbike. He had severe head injuries and spent almost four weeks in ICU, where she visited him daily.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
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Aged 51-60
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Interview 07
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They were devastated about the possibility that their son's life support machine could be switched off and felt it was too soon to make such decisions
Their son was admitted to ICU in 2005 with bacterial meningitis. It was a traumatic time but he is now back home and has made excellent progress.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
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Aged 51-60
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Interview 04
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As a nurse and mother she refused to believe doctors who were telling her that her son would be permanently brain damaged.
In October 2004, her son had a motorbike accident and was admitted to ICU. He had a serious head injury and broken jaw.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
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Aged 41-50
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Interview 03
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A few days into her son's ICU stay, doctors found out that he'd ruptured his spleen and she was shocked to learn, yet again, that he could die.
In 2004 her 17-year-old son was a passenger in a car that was involved in a serious accident. He spent 17 days in ICU.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
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Aged 31-40
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Interview 23
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Ask questions, trust the staff and be there for the patient.
In 2006 his partner spent four weeks in ICU because of pneumonia. He visited her every day, sharing the visiting with his partner's parents.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
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Aged 51-60
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Interview 36
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He wanted to know why his father had got so ill so quickly, and tried to reassure his mother without giving her false hopes.
His father went to ICU after having a stroke and developing pneumonia. Members of the family supported one another and he is now closer to his sister.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
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Aged 51-60
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Interview 07
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They watched the monitors and treatments being given to their son in the hope they'd gain some information about his survival.
Their son was admitted to ICU in 2005 with bacterial meningitis. It was a traumatic time but he is now back home and has made excellent progress.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
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Aged 70 +
>>
Interview 25
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He waited at his wife's bedside until the early hours of the morning but no one at that time could tell him whether she would survive.
In 2006 his 79-year-old wife was admitted to intensive care. Their daughter was their main support and they are now moving to live near her.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
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Aged 51-60
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Interview 20
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They were given lots of information about surgery and other treatments, and felt the nurses were supportive to them and the patient.
In 2004 his wife and her mother spent six months in hospital and was admitted to ICU three times because of sepsis and heart problems.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
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Aged 41-50
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Interview 03
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At the time her son was ill she didn't know he was being kept alive by machines.
In 2004 her 17-year-old son was a passenger in a car that was involved in a serious accident. He spent 17 days in ICU.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
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Aged 41-50
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Interview 30
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Because he knew what to expect, his main focus was making sure his father was receiving all the care and treatment he should be receiving.
His father died in ICU, aged 83. Being an intensive care doctor, he was able to provide information and support to his mother and brother.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
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Aged 41-50
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Interview 30
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When other visitors asked him questions, it reinforced for him just how important it was for doctors to communicate clearly.
His father died in ICU, aged 83. Being an intensive care doctor, he was able to provide information and support to his mother and brother.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
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Aged 41-50
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Interview 03
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Staying in a nearby hotel worked out well for her and her husband because it meant they could sleep and keep their strengths up for when their son rec
In 2004 her 17-year-old son was a passenger in a car that was involved in a serious accident. He spent 17 days in ICU.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
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Aged 70 +
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Interview 26
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Although she didn't know many of her sister-in-law's friends, she emailed them with updates and received lots of support through their replies.
In 2006 her sister-in-law sadly died in ICU after having an accident in her car. She visited her daily and took care of all the practical matters.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
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Aged 51-60
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Interview 07
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After a whole day of hospital visiting, she sent out an email to friends and family and received support from them as well as information about mening
Their son was admitted to ICU in 2005 with bacterial meningitis. It was a traumatic time but he is now back home and has made excellent progress.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
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Aged 31-40
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Interview 13
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She sat with her husband until he died and, in time, was given information about what she had to do next.
In 2006 her husband had liver disease and pneumonia and sadly died in ICU. She has gained strength from having counselling and from her spirituality.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
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Aged 41-50
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Interview 03
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At the beginning there was very little change in her son's condition and sending updates was difficult because people often misinterpreted a slight ch
In 2004 her 17-year-old son was a passenger in a car that was involved in a serious accident. He spent 17 days in ICU.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
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Aged 41-50
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Interview 17
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She often unplugged the phone because she needed some time to herself in the afternoon before going back to ICU again in the evening.
Her husband was admitted to ICU because of a brain aneurysm. She spent eight weeks visiting him in two different hospitals, sometimes staying overnight.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
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Aged 31-40
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Interview 35
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She slept better at night when she had a pager, knowing that any calls to her landline wouldn't be urgent.
Her mother was admitted to ICU because of gallstones and other complications. She visited her every day, often with her two young daughters, and kept a diary.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
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Aged 31-40
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Interview 35
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She received lots of calls from her mother's friends when she told them she was critically ill, including calls from friends her mother had lost touch
Her mother was admitted to ICU because of gallstones and other complications. She visited her every day, often with her two young daughters, and kept a diary.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
>>
Aged 51-60
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Interview 19
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She didn't want to repeat herself over and over again or talk about her brother's illness with friends after spending all day in ICU.
Her brother had an accident while cleaning his motorbike. He had severe head injuries and spent almost four weeks in ICU, where she visited him daily.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
>>
Aged 51-60
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Interview 28
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At the beginning she felt her life revolved around the hospital and found it comforting talking to her family in the evenings.
Her daughter was admitted to a ward and her son-in-law to ICU after they had a car accident. She stayed in their home so she could visit.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
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Aged 61-70
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Interview 37
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Doctors were happy to answer all his questions and phoned him to explain exactly what was wrong with his wife as soon as they'd found out themselves.
His wife spent 49 days in ICU because of severe lung problems. After her illness, he became involved in helping improve services for ICU patients.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
>>
Aged 31-40
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Interview 15
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She never learnt why her husband got so ill so quickly, but felt ICU doctors always gave information and updates about his illness honestly and openly
Her husband was admitted to ICU because of an emergency heart problem, which was never diagnosed. She praised the care and professionalism of the ICU staff.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
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Aged 41-50
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Interview 33
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She is a pharmacist and was pleased doctors explained her husband's illness in lots of detail because it helped her make sense of what was happening t
Her husband was admitted to ICU after having emergency surgery. It was particularly difficult looking after other family members as well as visiting her husband.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
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Aged 51-60
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Interview 04
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She was extremely disappointed in two doctors who wouldn't believe her when she said her son had shown signs of awareness, and felt it was too soon to
In October 2004, her son had a motorbike accident and was admitted to ICU. He had a serious head injury and broken jaw.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
>>
Aged 41-50
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Interview 30
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He feels it is important for ICU doctors to keep repeating information, give information that is consistent, and continually update relatives.
His father died in ICU, aged 83. Being an intensive care doctor, he was able to provide information and support to his mother and brother.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
>>
Aged 51-60
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Interview 22
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He found it hard to understand the information doctors gave him and to retain the information under stress.
His wife had emergency surgery to remove a kidney. He found it difficult to discuss his feelings but received comfort from sitting alone in the hospital chapel.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
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Aged 51-60
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Interview 22
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He praised one of the senior doctors who always told him about his wife's progress very directly and honestly.
His wife had emergency surgery to remove a kidney. He found it difficult to discuss his feelings but received comfort from sitting alone in the hospital chapel.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
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Aged 31-40
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Interview 23
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He felt ICU doctors were extremely skilled but was disappointed in the way some gave information about his partner's illness, which felt very negative
In 2006 his partner spent four weeks in ICU because of pneumonia. He visited her every day, sharing the visiting with his partner's parents.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
>>
Aged 41-50
>>
Interview 30
>>
He feels it is better for doctors to be cautious when giving relatives news rather than raise their hopes or give the impression things are better tha
His father died in ICU, aged 83. Being an intensive care doctor, he was able to provide information and support to his mother and brother.
Intensive care
>>
Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
>>
Aged 70 +
>>
Interview 26
>>
Some doctors thought her sister-in-law had a chance of recovering when she was first admitted whereas others were less optimistic, and she found this
In 2006 her sister-in-law sadly died in ICU after having an accident in her car. She visited her daily and took care of all the practical matters.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
>>
Aged 51-60
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Interview 11
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Throughout her husband's stay in hospital and afterwards, she received conflicting information about whether he'd had MRSA, though she understands why
Her husband was diagnosed with pneumonia. She was happy with the nursing care he received in ICU but concerned about information and one of his treatments.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
>>
Aged 61-70
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Interview 14
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She asked lots of questions and wanted to be kept informed but was surprised when she spoke to other visitors who knew very little about their relativ
She has cared for her husband full-time since he had a heart attack and life threatening infection that meant he had to have his leg amputated.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
>>
Aged 51-60
>>
Interview 04
>>
She felt it was too soon to tell whether her son would be brain damaged after an accident and she didn't want doctors to try and predict the outcome w
In October 2004, her son had a motorbike accident and was admitted to ICU. He had a serious head injury and broken jaw.
Intensive care
>>
Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
>>
Aged 31-40
>>
Interview 15
>>
She didn't ask doctors why her husband was so ill because all she needed to know was whether he'd live. She and his doctors still don't know why he be
Her husband was admitted to ICU because of an emergency heart problem, which was never diagnosed. She praised the care and professionalism of the ICU staff.
Intensive care
>>
Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
>>
Aged 51-60
>>
Interview 11
>>
Before she saw her husband in ICU for the first time, nurses explained everything to her about the equipment he'd been attached to.
Her husband was diagnosed with pneumonia. She was happy with the nursing care he received in ICU but concerned about information and one of his treatments.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
>>
Aged 30 & under
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Interview 21
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Nurses explained to her in more detail what doctors had told her, and always phoned her whenever her partner deteriorated so she could come in and be
In 2005 her partner had a car accident and spent over four months in ICU. She visited daily while her mother looked after her new baby.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
>>
Aged 31-40
>>
Interview 23
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Outreach nurses came to see him and his partner regularly before she was admitted to ICU and prepared them both for what to expect.
In 2006 his partner spent four weeks in ICU because of pneumonia. He visited her every day, sharing the visiting with his partner's parents.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
>>
Aged 51-60
>>
Interview 05
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Seeing his wife hallucinating was very distressing and he wished he'd known more about hallucinations beforehand.
In 2003 his wife was involved in an accident in the home. He stayed at the hospital for two weeks while his wife was in the first ICU.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
>>
Aged 31-40
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Interview 23
>>
The doctors he spoke to, who were specialists in pneumonia, gave advice to the doctors treating his partner and, together, they helped her recover.
In 2006 his partner spent four weeks in ICU because of pneumonia. He visited her every day, sharing the visiting with his partner's parents.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
>>
Aged 51-60
>>
Interview 32
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Before her husband's kidney transplant, she read lots of information about the operation and she and her husband were extremely grateful to the donor.
His husband was admitted to ICU before and after a kidney pancreas transplant. She spent three weeks travelling to the hospital as well as working.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
>>
Aged 31-40
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Interview 13
>>
The nurses explained everything about the treatments, answered all her questions and supported her through an extremely difficult time.
In 2006 her husband had liver disease and pneumonia and sadly died in ICU. She has gained strength from having counselling and from her spirituality.
Intensive care
>>
Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
>>
Aged 61-70
>>
Interview 37
>>
The nurses washed his wife's hair and did whatever they could to make her comfortable, as well as giving him lots of support too.
His wife spent 49 days in ICU because of severe lung problems. After her illness, he became involved in helping improve services for ICU patients.
Intensive care
>>
Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
>>
Aged 31-40
>>
Interview 01
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She and other members of her family helped clean her sister's mouth and with other aspects of care whenever they visited her.
In March 2005 her sister was diagnosed with Guillain Barre Syndrome. This is a rare disorder of the peripheral nerves, those outside the brain and spinal chord.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
>>
Aged 51-60
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Interview 07
>>
They felt the nurses were brilliant apart from a few, including one who told them their son was responding when he wasn't and another who didn't take
Their son was admitted to ICU in 2005 with bacterial meningitis. It was a traumatic time but he is now back home and has made excellent progress.
Intensive care
>>
Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
>>
Aged 70 +
>>
Interview 26
>>
Occasionally she found it difficult to get information from nurses because, although she was her sister-in-law's next of kin, some nurses hadn't been
In 2006 her sister-in-law sadly died in ICU after having an accident in her car. She visited her daily and took care of all the practical matters.
Intensive care
>>
Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
>>
Aged 51-60
>>
Interview 32
>>
She kept a diary for twenty years and wrote especially during times of stress, but her husband hadn't wanted to read about his time in ICU.
His husband was admitted to ICU before and after a kidney pancreas transplant. She spent three weeks travelling to the hospital as well as working.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
>>
Aged 41-50
>>
Interview 33
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She and her husband had talked about end of life decisions and her husband had said he wouldn't want to live if he would be left brain damaged.
Her husband was admitted to ICU after having emergency surgery. It was particularly difficult looking after other family members as well as visiting her husband.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
>>
Aged 51-60
>>
Interview 20
>>
They didn't want their relative to be kept alive if she would be brain damaged because she wouldn't want to live like that.
In 2004 his wife and her mother spent six months in hospital and was admitted to ICU three times because of sepsis and heart problems.
Intensive care
>>
Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
>>
Aged 51-60
>>
Interview 07
>>
They felt confused and upset and didn't understand why doctors were asking them to think about end of life decisions when their son could breathe with
Their son was admitted to ICU in 2005 with bacterial meningitis. It was a traumatic time but he is now back home and has made excellent progress.
Intensive care
>>
Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
>>
Aged 31-40
>>
Interview 13
>>
She didn't want her husband to suffer any more and agreed with the doctor's advice to withdraw his treatment.
In 2006 her husband had liver disease and pneumonia and sadly died in ICU. She has gained strength from having counselling and from her spirituality.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
>>
Aged 70 +
>>
Interview 26
>>
She felt confused with the information she received from different doctors but, when her sister-in-law deteriorated even further, doctors made the dec
In 2006 her sister-in-law sadly died in ICU after having an accident in her car. She visited her daily and took care of all the practical matters.
Intensive care
>>
Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
>>
Aged 51-60
>>
Interview 09
>>
She felt doctors used a lot of medical language and didn't explain clearly that their son would be dying that very night, which came as a huge shock.
Her son had lymphoma and bowel perforation and sadly died on a ward. She felt doctors should explain information clearly to relatives, who are usually unfamiliar with medical terms.
Intensive care
>>
Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
>>
Aged 51-60
>>
Interview 12
>>
A nurse rang her at three in the morning and told her, once she and her husband were at the hospital, that their son was dying.
In 2005 her 21-year-old son sadly died in ICU. She focuses as much as she can on remembering the good memories they shared.
Intensive care
>>
Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
>>
Aged 70 +
>>
Interview 26
>>
She and her husband saw her sister-in-law after talking with doctors, who withdrew treatment and removed medical equipment before they went in to see
In 2006 her sister-in-law sadly died in ICU after having an accident in her car. She visited her daily and took care of all the practical matters.
Intensive care
>>
Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
>>
Aged 31-40
>>
Interview 29
>>
He felt his partner's mother was transferred to a ward too soon and if her husband hadn't been there, she might not have got the help she needed.
His partner's mother was admitted to ICU after an accident in the home. He lived with them at the time and tried to provide emotional support.
Intensive care
>>
Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
>>
Aged 51-60
>>
Interview 11
>>
Her husband had problems with his catheter and she felt that better communication would have helped avoid such a problem.
Her husband was diagnosed with pneumonia. She was happy with the nursing care he received in ICU but concerned about information and one of his treatments.
Intensive care
>>
Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
>>
Aged 61-70
>>
Interview 08
>>
He would have liked to be able to contact one specific person on the ward who would be able to help with any problems or concerns.
His wife was admitted to ICU after having complications during emergency surgery. During her time in hospital he had a lot of support from family and his local community.
Intensive care
>>
Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
>>
Aged 31-40
>>
Interview 23
>>
He valued the support outreach nurses had given him and his partner before she was admitted to ICU and would have liked more support from them later o
In 2006 his partner spent four weeks in ICU because of pneumonia. He visited her every day, sharing the visiting with his partner's parents.
Intensive care
>>
Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
>>
Aged 31-40
>>
Interview 15
>>
At his follow-up appointment, her husband was shown around the ICU and his questions were answered, which was reassuring because he couldn't remember
Her husband was admitted to ICU because of an emergency heart problem, which was never diagnosed. She praised the care and professionalism of the ICU staff.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
>>
Aged 31-40
>>
Interview 02
>>
When her husband first came back home he had a lot of mood swings and she worried that these might be permanent.
In 2003 her husband had an accident while cycling on his mountain bike in woods close to their home. The accident left him with a serious head injury, fractures to his neck and spine, and a collapsed lung.
Intensive care
>>
Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
>>
Aged 51-60
>>
Interview 07
>>
Although their son had to have some minor surgery and is still making progress, he has made a remarkable recovery considering how ill he'd been.
Their son was admitted to ICU in 2005 with bacterial meningitis. It was a traumatic time but he is now back home and has made excellent progress.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
>>
Aged 31-40
>>
Interview 29
>>
He felt that his partner's mother should have stayed longer in hospital to gain more strength and received more support when she came back home.
His partner's mother was admitted to ICU after an accident in the home. He lived with them at the time and tried to provide emotional support.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
>>
Aged 51-60
>>
Interview 20
>>
He found the practical advice from another couple useful and was later able to pass on advice to others who'd found themselves in a similar situation.
In 2004 his wife and her mother spent six months in hospital and was admitted to ICU three times because of sepsis and heart problems.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
>>
Aged 31-40
>>
Interview 02
>>
It would have been helpful at the time to talk to someone from a support group but she found only out about these after her husband's recovery.
In 2003 her husband had an accident while cycling on his mountain bike in woods close to their home. The accident left him with a serious head injury, fractures to his neck and spine, and a collapsed lung.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
>>
Aged 51-60
>>
Interview 36
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He and his father visited the ICU bed his father had been in at a follow-up appointment and learnt that he'd had a rare form of pneumonia.
His father went to ICU after having a stroke and developing pneumonia. Members of the family supported one another and he is now closer to his sister.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
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Aged 51-60
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Interview 11
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She felt the medication her husband had been given caused him severe problems and, if she hadn't been there to look after him and seek help, he might
Her husband was diagnosed with pneumonia. She was happy with the nursing care he received in ICU but concerned about information and one of his treatments.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
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Aged 31-40
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Interview 35
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She feels there is no help for the relatives of ICU patients, even though they have been through an extremely traumatic time.
Her mother was admitted to ICU because of gallstones and other complications. She visited her every day, often with her two young daughters, and kept a diary.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
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Aged 51-60
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Interview 07
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Get as much information as you can, ask questions if there is anything you don't understand, and never give up hope or being positive.
Their son was admitted to ICU in 2005 with bacterial meningitis. It was a traumatic time but he is now back home and has made excellent progress.
Intensive care
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
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Aged 31-40
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Interview 15
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Accept support, ask questions if you need information and be aware that when the patient comes home there will be good and bad days.
Her husband was admitted to ICU because of an emergency heart problem, which was never diagnosed. She praised the care and professionalism of the ICU staff.
Topic
Intensive care
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
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Lack of support and information
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Lack of support and information
Lack of support and information
Intensive care
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
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Receiving information and news from doctors
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Receiving information and news from doctors
Receiving information and news from doctors
Intensive care
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
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Sources of information in ICU
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Sources of information in ICU
Sources of Information in ICU
Intensive care
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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
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Support and information
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Support and information
Support and information
Mail to a friend