Does time of transfer from critical care to the general wards affect anxiety? A pragmatic prospective cohort study.
OBJECTIVE
To examine prospectively the impact of transfer time on patient anxiety.


METHODS
A pragmatic prospective cohort study.


METHODS
14 bed adult intensive care unit (ICU) in a National Health Service teaching hospital trust in the United Kingdom.


METHODS
Critically ill patients staying on the ICU for at least 24 hours and clinically ready for transfer to the general ward completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale questionnaire (Zigmond and Snaith, 1983) at: pre-transfer - on the critical care (when they were clinically ready for transfer to the general ward), post-transfer - on the general ward.


RESULTS
The post-transfer median (range) score for anxiety was 6 (4-10) for day time and higher at 12.5 (9-16) for night time; this was found to be statistically significant U=80, p=0.011, r=0.37 and the post-transfer incidence of anxiety cases was 22% (8/36) for day time and higher at 64% (7/11) for night time; this was found to be statistically significant U=91, p=0.007, r=0.39.


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that transfers at night time are more anxiety provoking for patients than transfers in the day time.
St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospital Trust, Whiston Hospital, Warrington Road, Prescot, Merseyside L35 5DR, United Kingdom. Electronic address: Amanda.mccairn@sthk.nhs.uk.
Amanda J
AJ
McCairn
St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospital Trust, Whiston Hospital, Warrington Road, Prescot, Merseyside L35 5DR, United Kingdom. Electronic address: Christina.jones@sthk.nhs.uk.
Christina
C
Jones
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D058006:General Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010360:Patient Transfer; D010361:Patients / Q000523:psychology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D013997:Time Factors; D000069341:Transitional Care; D006113:United Kingdom
Critical care; Intensive care; Transfer anxiety; Transfer at night; Transfer time