Quality of life of elderly patients after treatment in the ICU.
The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of intensive care unit (ICU) treatment on quality of life (QOL) outcomes for critically ill elderly patients 4-6 months after ICU discharge. A mean overall score of 21.4 (SD=6.3) was obtained with the Quality of Life Index (Ferrans & Powers, 1985), indicating that all the ICU survivors in the sample (N=164) reported good QOL and were satisfied with areas of life that were important to them. Greater social support, better perceived health status, fewer days of hospitalization, and a hospital readmission since discharge were associated with higher QOL (R2=.51). This sample of elderly ICU survivors maintained a good QOL after their critical illness regardless of age.
Kleinpell
Ruth M
RM
Rush University College of Nursing, Chicago, IL 60612-3832, USA.
Ferrans
Carol E
CE
D018806:APACHE; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged / Q000523:psychology*; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003422:Critical Care / Q000523:psychology* / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D020380:Needs Assessment; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010359:Patient Readmission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires