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. 2021 Oct 21;18(21):11049.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph182111049.

Nursing Interventions for Patient Empowerment during Intensive Care Unit Discharge: A Systematic Review

Cecilia Cuzco  1   2 , Rodrigo Torres-Castro  3   4 , Yolanda Torralba  3   5 , Isabel Manzanares  6   7 , Pilar Muñoz-Rey  8 , Marta Romero-García  9 , Ma Antonia Martínez-Momblan  9 , Gemma Martínez-Estalella  10 , Pilar Delgado-Hito  9 , Pedro Castro  1
Affiliations

Nursing Interventions for Patient Empowerment during Intensive Care Unit Discharge: A Systematic Review

Cecilia Cuzco et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. .

Abstract

Intensive care unit discharge is an important transition that impacts a patient's wellbeing. Nurses can play an essential role in this scenario, potentiating patient empowerment. A systematic review was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (the PRISMA Statement. Embase), PubMed/MEDLINE, CINAHL, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), CUIDEN Plus, and LILACS databases; these were evaluated in May 2021. Two independent reviewers analyzed the studies, extracted the data, and assessed the quality of evidence. Quality of the studies included was assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool. Of the 274 articles initially identified, eight randomized controlled trials that reported on nursing interventions had mainly focused on patients' ICU discharge preparation through information and education. The creation of ICU nurse-led teams and nurses' involvement in critical care multidisciplinary teams also aimed to support patients during ICU discharge. This systematic review provides an update on the clinical practice aimed at improving the patient experience during ICU discharge. The main nursing interventions were based on information and education, as well as the development of new nursing roles. Understanding transitional needs and patient empowerment are key to making the transition easier.

Keywords: intensive care unit discharge; intensive care unit transition; nursing interventions; patient education; patient empowerment; patient information; systematic review.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript, or in the decision to publish the results.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
PRISMA Flowchart.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Risk of bias assessment summary.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Quality assessment of studies included.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Main findings of patient empowerment strategies performed by nurses.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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