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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

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.

Video Interview

TRANSCRIPT

The noise too, a lot of noise. Machines, but not only, people too. So although everyone was careful to speak to me clearly, but not too loudly. But there was one patient who was in such a state that he was screaming. And that was painful. So of course you are full of compassion for the person in question, but at the same time there are moments when you say to yourself but if he could just shut up. Finally, quite (-) contradictory feelings, mixed. On the one hand compassion and then on the other hand, but if he would just shut up.

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

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