%0 Journal Article
%T Ward visits- one essential step in intensive care follow-up. An interview study with critical care nurses' and ward nurses'.
%A Häggström M
%A Fjellner C
%A Öhman M
%A Rising Holmström M
%J Intensive Crit Care Nurs
%V 49
%N 0
%D Dec 2018
%M 30245151
%F 4.235
%R 10.1016/j.iccn.2018.08.011
%X <B>OBJECTIVE: </B>The aim of this study was to describe critical care nurses' and ward nurses' perceptions of the benefits and challenges with a nurse-led follow-up service for intensive care-survivors at general wards.<BR><B>BACKGROUND: </B>Patients recently transferred from intensive care to the general ward are still vulnerable and require complex care. There are different models of intensive care follow-up services and some include ward visits after transfer from intensive care. Research methodology/design: This study had a qualitative design. Data from 13 semi-structured interviews with Swedish critical care nurses and ward nurses were analysed using qualitative content analysis.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>The findings consisted of one theme, namely, "Being a part of an intra-organisational collaboration for improved quality of care", and four subthemes: "Provides additional care for the vulnerable patients, "Strengthens ward-based critical care", "Requires coordination and information", and "Creates an exchange of knowledge". The nurse-led follow-up service detected signs of deterioration and led to better quality of care. However, shortage of time, lack of interaction, feedback and information about the function of the follow-up service led to problems.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>The findings indicate that ward visits should be included in the intensive care follow-up service. Furthermore, intra-organisational collaboration seems to be essential for intensive care survivors' quality of care.