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Intensive care: experiences of family & friends
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Emotional impact on family and friends
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Her husband was admitted to ICU because of a brain aneurysm. She spent eight weeks visiting him in two different hospitals, sometimes staying overnight.
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.
Her best friend spent two weeks in ICU. She was the closest person to her, visited her daily and is now her main carer.
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.
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.
Her husband was admitted to ICU because of a brain aneurysm. She spent eight weeks visiting him in two different hospitals, sometimes staying overnight.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Her husband had cardiac arrest and was admitted to ICU. She is his full-time carer and worries about leaving him on his own because of his memory.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
He cares full-time for his wife, who was diagnosed with Crohn's disease in 1998. She has been admitted to ICU several times and recently had a stroke.
Her husband had cardiac arrest and was admitted to ICU. She is his full-time carer and worries about leaving him on his own because of his memory.
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.
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.
Her husband was admitted to ICU because of a brain aneurysm. She spent eight weeks visiting him in two different hospitals, sometimes staying overnight.
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.
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.
Her husband had cardiac arrest and was admitted to ICU. She is his full-time carer and worries about leaving him on his own because of his memory.
She cares for her 13-year-old son, who has congenital muscular dystrophy. In 2003 he had a serious chest infection and was admitted to a peadiatric ICU.
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.
Her husband had cardiac arrest and was admitted to ICU. She is his full-time carer and worries about leaving him on his own because of his memory.
Her husband had cardiac arrest and was admitted to ICU. She is his full-time carer and worries about leaving him on his own because of his memory.
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.
Her husband had cardiac arrest and was admitted to ICU. She is his full-time carer and worries about leaving him on his own because of his memory.
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.
In October 2004, her son had a motorbike accident and was admitted to ICU. He had a serious head injury and broken jaw.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

Publication date: August 2007          Last updated: November 2010.

Review date: November 2012

 

We interviewed 38 relatives and close friends of patients in intensive care about their experiences. Select from the key topics below, choose from the full list of topics, or explore all the interviews.

 

Also see... Intensive care: Patients experiences
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