A planned admission protocol application in intensive care units

Abstract

Background: The process of admission to an ICU may have a negative impact on a patient's physiological parameters and comfort. Aim: To determine the effect of providing a patient admission protocol on patients' comfort and physiological parameters prior to admission to the intensive care unit (ICU). Design: A randomized, controlled experimental study. Methods: This study included 100 (50 control, 50 experimental) patients who experienced planned admissions to the ICU of a University Hospital. Standard forms were used to record patient information, evaluations and comfort. Data were collected from patients prior to, during and 24 h after admission to the ICU and 24 h after being transferred. The experimental group was admitted to the ICU using the patient admission protocol and the control group underwent routine admittance. Findings: There was no significant difference between the groups regarding the individual characteristics, physiology and comfort prior to, during or 24 h after admission to the ICU (p > 0·05). However, 24 h after being transferred, the experimental group's comfort was significantly higher than that of the control group (p < 0·01). Conclusions: The use of the patient admission protocol does not affect the physiological parameters of patients; however, it does raise the comfort level of patients. Relevance to clinical practice: The patient admission protocol specific to the institution (in this context, a unit introductory booklet) should be developed in ICUs. We suggest that admission to the ICU should be carried out in accordance with this protocol. © 2015 British Association of Critical Care Nurses