This data is part of a study developed by the hospital's Intensive Medicine service, which analyzes the impact of ICU admission not only on the patient but also on their immediate environment. The work has also been recognized with the award for best communication at the congress of the Valencian Society of Intensive, Critical Medicine and Coronary Units.
“"Family members or caregivers are often the forgotten ones, which is why our center conducts this line of research, considering the patient and their environment as a whole, and addressing their needs comprehensively."
The model applied by the center relies on a multidisciplinary team composed of intensive medicine, nursing, psychology, and rehabilitation professionals. Their work focuses on both admitted critical patients and their caregivers, accompanying them during their hospital stay and after discharge. This approach allows for early detection of risk factors and offers psychological support from the initial phases of admission, helping to reduce the appearance of emotional sequelae in the family environment.
The study followed 271 patient-family dyads for three months after hospital discharge. For this, patients over 18 years who had survived admission and presented at least one of these risk factors were selected: stay longer than five days, presence of delirium, mechanical ventilation for more than 48 hours, or multi-organ failure. The research concludes that the development of this syndrome in family members does not depend on age or the patient's baseline characteristics, but on the severity of the process, factors associated with critical illness, and subsequent sequelae.
The Vega Baja Hospital launched a specific follow-up clinic for these cases in 2018, where the patient and their caregiver are attended jointly. Reviews can be carried out at three months, six months, and one year, depending on the severity of the symptoms. More than half of the family members accept this help, and many also participate in a family school that offers training and emotional support.
Furthermore, the ICU maintains flexible visiting hours to encourage family accompaniment, involvement in basic care, and participation in clinical decision-making. This closer and continuous communication with the care team also contributes to reducing the incidence of the syndrome. The center highlights that this comprehensive care model is yielding positive results and reinforces person-centered care within their social and family context, with a satisfaction index exceeding 80%.
