Novel Intensive Care Unit (ICU) outreach service: Malaysian ICU nurses perspectives

• Main Authors: Razak, Norasimah, Mohd Ali, Noor Azizah, Mohamed Ludin, Salizar
• Format: Conference or Workshop Item
• Language: English; English
• Published: 2013
• Subjects: RT Nursing
• Online Access: http://irep.iium.edu.my/35834/1/Poster_ICU_OS__BACCN_15th-17th_Sept_13_2.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/35834/8/salizar1.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/35834/

Background: The provision of ICU survivors that experience deterioration and ICU readmission has increased in recent years in Malaysia and various international studies has shown that ICU Outreach Services helps to improve patients’ condition, reduce length of hospital stay and reduction of mortality rate. Yet, little is known about the service and nurses perception towards ICU Outreach services. Aim and Objectives: The present study aim to discover Malaysian nurses’ perception towards new ideas of ICU outreach service. Methods: Mixed method study design was applied to explore ICU nurses’ perception on ICU Outreach Services in Malaysia using survey and interviews. Result: 47 nurses participated in the survey and 4 nurses also involve in the interview. Respondents’ mean age was 33.6 and 9.72 for years of employment. Only 7 nurses went for intensive care course and had knowledge on ICU Outreach Services. No relationship seen between years of employment and level of nursing education to ICU Outreach Services (p>0.05) awareness. Three themes emerged from interviews: ICU outreach services benefit, ICU readmission, and readiness for outreach services. Conclusion: ICU Outreach Services is a novel program and not officially implemented in Malaysia. The nurses are aware of the service advantages to patients, family members and staffs. Despite the in-significant results for years of employment and educational level, survey data was supported by qualitative data. Nurses realized the importance of ICU outreach services and keen to participate in improving ICU survivors’ condition and care in the general wards.