Transfer stress and medical intensive care patients and family members.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the phenomenon of transfer stress in medical intensive care (MICU) patients and family members.


METHODS
Descriptive study using a cross-sectional survey.


METHODS
Two university-affiliated tertiary care centres in western Canada.


METHODS
Convenience sample of 53 patients and 35 family members who were within 48 hours of having experienced transfer from MICU.


METHODS
Perception of transfer as a stressor scale and information received related to transfer survey.


RESULTS
Over 75% of MICU patients and family members experienced moderate to severe transfer stress. Both patients and family members reported receiving limited information related to transfer from MICU. The amount of information received did not correlate significantly with the level of transfer stress in patients or family members.


CONCLUSIONS
Transfer stress frequently occurs in MICU patients and family members and should be an area of concern for health care professionals.
Leith
B A
BA
Faculty of Nursing, University of Manitoba, Canada
D003422:Critical Care / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010360:Patient Transfer; D010361:Patients / Q000523:psychology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology*