Improving Patients` Quality of Life Through Nurse-Led Combined Physical and Cognitive Rehabilitation Program

Despite the fact that the medical technology is improving and the number of survivors from critical illness is increasing, the survival rate approximates 89% upon one to three years after discharge (Brummel et al., 2012; Elliott et al., 2011; Trees, Smith, & Hockert, 2013; & Williams & Leslie, 2011). Same previous authors reported that long-term survival rate seems to be less than other patient populations such as patients of routine uncomplicated surgical procedures such as total hip replacement. Critical illness is a continuum that starts before the patient is admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and continues to impact the survivor`s Quality of Life (QoL) until after discharge to a regular hospital floor, another facility or private home (Admans & Elliott, 2005; Rattray, 2013). There is an agreement about how devastating the consequences of critical illness can be on patient; however, there is still a remarkable gap in the literature focusing on providing a designed combined rehabilitation intervention in helping the survivors after critical illness to improve their QoL upon discharge from the ICU (Fulton, Miller & Otte 2012). While early intervention is crucial and beneficial for critically ill patients, there is no standard combined physical and cognitive rehabilitation protocol available yet. There is a large demand for studies that suggest a combined physical and cognitive rehabilitation program to prepare the survivors upon discharge and to improve their overall QoL. Little is known about the nurses’ role in physical and cognitive rehabilitation program and how nursing care can improve survivors from critical illness QoL. 

Purpose:

This study is aimed to explore the importance of the nursing care in implementing a nurse-led combined physical and cognitive rehabilitation for the survivors from critical illness in an attempt to improve their overall QoL.

Methods:

Pre-posttest intervention pilot study design. Participants will be recruited from an ICU in USA. Participants will be provided with a survey to assess their quality of life pre and post intervention. Staff nurses will be trained by investigators to implement a combined physical and cognitive rehabilitation program. 

 

Results: In progress

Conclusion:  

The nursing role is fundamental in improving patients’ subjective quality of life after surviving critical illness and discharged from the ICU. This study will contribute in better understand critical illness and facilitate in improving the overall patient`s outcomes.