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Johanna J.

Mrs. Johanna J., a single mother, had to be admitted to the intensive care unit as an emergency case. With acute shortness of breath, she was dependent on ventilation and intensive medical treatment for many weeks. A lot of patience was needed to cope with this long time on equipment, helplessness and subsequent rehabilitation. She found great support in her family and children.

VIDEO

Feeling of fear and being ignored

Mrs. Johanna J explains that one of the nurses had a communication relationship that didn't take account of calls or sleep periods. This caused both a feeling of fear and of being ignored.

Video Interview

TRANSCRIPT

E : Then they just left me lying there. E : They said they wouldn't come for another two hours, even though it wasn't suitable after 3/4 hours and then the wait was long if you're in pain or it's no good for you. You can't move yourself. And yes / I : Mhm. E : They were always long nights. I : Yes. E : I slept relatively late during the day and that meant I was active at night. I : Mhm. Okay. Did you have the feeling that something was being done against your will? That came up a bit / they said they only came back after two hours. E : Mhm. I : Did you perceive that as coercion? As / E : Yes. I : What / E : I always thought you should just experience it too. I don't wish anything bad on anyone, but I had the idea that you should just have to lie here for 24 hours like I am now. I : Mhm. E : Then she came in when I rang the bell and said we wouldn't be in for another two hours. Well, that is, then and then I'll come. Then I knew I wasn't allowed to ring the bell. Only one nurse was like that. The other nurses usually came and said, listen, we'll be there soon. I just have to finish something quickly and then we'll come. And maybe that's / good, I had no sense of time. But I had the feeling it took ten to fifteen minutes and then they came and made sure it was convenient for me. There was only one who just didn't / she only came strictly every two hours. And when I was asleep after two hours, they woke me up and mobilized me instead of letting me sleep and maybe mobilize me up when I was awake. No. They then came and .....

Other experiences by Johanna J.

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Johanna J.

Mrs. Johanna J., a single mother, had to be admitted to the intensive care unit as an emergency case. With acute shortness of breath, she was dependent on ventilation and intensive medical treatment for many weeks. A lot of patience was needed to cope with this long time on equipment, helplessness and subsequent rehabilitation. She found great support in her family and children.

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Johanna J.

Mrs. Anna A. mentioned the noise by other patients.

Ms Anna A. is disturbed by the proximity and discomfort of the other intensive care patients.

General perception / overview of the intensive care

Experiences in Intensive Care

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Johanna J.

Mrs. Johanna J. was between dreams and confusion.

Because Mrs. Johanna J. was so confused, she had great difficulty classifying the situation in the intensive care unit.

State of consciousness and memory issues

Experiences in Intensive Care

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Johanna J.

Mrs. Johanna J. remembers through a diary.

Ms. Johanna J. recounts memories from a diary written for her by ICU staff.

State of consciousness and memory issues

Experiences in Intensive Care

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Johanna J.

Inability to communicate

In Mrs. Johanna's case, the protective balm on her eyes prevented communication with her eyelids. She could hear, but not transmit her feelings and sensations back. Eventually, she resigned herself to this helpless situation.

Communication issues in the intensive care unit (ICU)

Experiences in Intensive Care

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Johanna J.

Feeling of fear and being ignored

Mrs. Johanna J explains that one of the nurses had a communication relationship that didn't take account of calls or sleep periods. This caused both a feeling of fear and of being ignored.

Communication issues in the intensive care unit (ICU)

Experiences in Intensive Care

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Johanna J.

The team's main focus is on the machines

Mrs. Johanna J.'s sense of helplessness was total: not only could she do nothing herself, but she was also unable to convey her difficulties to the clinical team, whose attention was focused on the vital data from the devices.

Good to know to improve intensive care unit (ICU) patient experience

Experiences in Intensive Care

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Johanna J.

Patients are delighted to be included

Mrs. Johanna J. was happy to participate in decisions, even if only by nodding. This has helped to create a situation of trust.

Good to know to improve intensive care unit (ICU) patient experience

Experiences in Intensive Care

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Johanna J.

Competence

Even when she was impatient, Mrs. Johanna J remembered the great work of the team.

Emotional events and experiences to take home with you

Experiences in Intensive Care

View all experiences

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