Satisfaction of patients and family caregivers in adult intensive care units: Literature Review

Abstract

Intensive care units are hostile places, which must be conditioned to the needs of patients and families, and therefore the factors that influence their satisfaction must be known.

Objective: To update the knowledge on the satisfaction of the patients admitted to an adult intensive care unit and that of their family caregivers as described in the scientific literature.

Methodology: A systematized literature review was carried out in PubMed, Scopus, Cinahl and WOS databases.

Search strategy: "Personal Satisfaction" and (patients or caregivers) and "Intensive Care Units".

Inclusion criteria: studies published between 2013-2018, population aged between 19-64 years, english and spanish language.

Results: 760 studies were located and 15 were selected. The factors that increased satisfaction are: good communication with professionals (n=5), the quality of care (n=4), and the cleanliness and environment of the units (n=2). The factors that produced dissatisfaction are: the infrastructure of the waiting room (n=5), inadequate communication (n=4), and the involvement of families and patients in decision-making (n=4). Training of professionals (n=5), inclusion of the family during the process of hospitalization (n=2) and redesigning the waiting room (n=2) are some of the suggestions for improvement.

Conclusions: Factors related to professionals, environment and cleanliness of the units are satisfaction-generating factors. Factors generating dissatisfaction related to poor infrastructure, a lack of involvement in decision-making and poor professional communication. Strategies to improve patient and family satisfaction relate to the organization, professionals, family members, and infrastructure and environment.

Keywords: Adult; Adulto; Cuidadores familiares; Family Caregivers; Intensive Care Units; Satisfacción; Satisfaction; Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos (UCI).