Nursing Intervention in the Patient Being Discharged From the Intensive Care Unit

Background: Psychiatric disorders, such as anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), are common among critical disease survivors. Interventions aimed to decrease ICU impact on patient mental well-being are needed. Methods/Design: The study will evaluate an educational nursing intervention addressed to ease the transition during ICU discharge by empowering the patient. A quantitative design will be used to measure the effectiveness of the nursing intervention through an experimental pre-test/post-test with control group design. Participants will consist of patients from three critical care units from three different hospitals. Data will be obtained from Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Data will be analysed through descriptive and inferential statistics. Discussion: This study will help to develop and implement an intervention to help patients lessen anxiety and depression associated to their transition from ICU to the general ward.