eISSN 2097-6046
ISSN 2096-7446
CN 10-1655/R
Responsible Institution:China Association for Science and Technology
Sponsor:Chinese Nursing Association

Chinese Journal of Emergency and Critical Care Nursing ›› 2025, Vol. 6 ›› Issue (8): 923-929.doi: 10.3761/j.issn.2096-7446.2025.08.004

• Special Planning——Quality Improvment in Critical Care Services • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Effectiveness of a nursing program for ICU discharge preparation based on dyadic illness management theory

LIU Haijin(), WU Biyu(), LIN Caixia, XU Minjun, YU Xiaolan   

  1. Department of Emergency Intensive Care Unit,Quanzhou First Hospital,Quanzhou 362000,China
  • Received:2024-10-24 Online:2025-08-10 Published:2025-08-12

Abstract:

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of a nursing program for ICU patient discharge preparation based on the dyadic illness management theory. Methods A quasi-experimental study was conducted with a non-concurrent control design. 66 pairs of ICU patients and their caregivers were conveniently selected as study participants. 33 pairs were enrolled from September to November 2023 and assigned to the control group,which received routine care. The other 33 pairs were enrolled from January to March 2024 and assigned to the intervention group,which received a discharge preparation nursing program based on the dyadic illness management theory. The study compared the readiness of ICU patients for discharge,caregiver readiness,days in ICU,total days of hospitalization,and rates of unplanned ICU readmission between the two groups. Results A total of 64 pairs completed,with 32 pairs in each group. The intervention group exhibited significantly higher scores in both readiness of ICU patients and caregivers for discharge compared to the control group(P<0.05). The total days of hospitalization was significantly shorter in the intervention group(P<0.05). The duration of stay in ICU was shorter in the intervention group,but the difference was not statistically significant(P>0.05). No unplanned ICU readmissions occurred in either group. Conclusion The nursing program for ICU patient discharge preparation based on the dyadic illness management theory holds scientific and practical value. It can enhance the readiness of ICU patients and caregivers for discharge,thereby reducing the duration of hospitalization.

Key words: Intensive Care Unit, Illness Management, Transitional Care, Transfer, Readiness