Patients' opinions on outcomes following critical illness

Background: Our aim was to explore which outcomes are most important to patients following ICU-discharge, and to explore whether intensive care unit (ICU)-nurses and anesthesiologists are aware of patients' priorities.

Methods: First, interviews with adult ICU-survivors were conducted until data saturation was achieved (10 interviews), and six areas with 36 items were identified. Second, interviews with another eight ICU-survivors were conducted, narrowing the list to 20. Finally, patients (inclusion criteria: consecutive adults, medical and surgical, ICU-admission > 5 days, 2-8 months post-ICU discharge) rated the items, as did ICU-nurses and anesthesiologists.

Results: A total of 32 patients participated (44% women, medians: age 70.5, time since discharge 179 days, length of stay in ICU 9 days, APACHEII 19.5). The three most important outcomes defined by patients were: lack of physical strength, fatigue, and decreased walking distance. The top three for ICU-nurses (54 participants) were: fatigue, difficulties concentrating, sadness/depression, and for anesthesiologists (17 participants): fatigue, difficulties in activities of daily living, and lack of physical strength.

Conclusion: Patients chose lack of physical strength, fatigue, and decreased walking distance as the three most important outcomes following critical illness. Physicians had a higher focus on these physical impairments than ICU-nurses.