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Humanising the ICU

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Improving Critical Care Survivorship

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Abstract

Critically ill patients and their family members are at risk for dehumanisation in the stressful environment of an intensive care unit (ICU). This chapter describes the behaviours a clinical team may adopt (intentionally or unintentionally) that can lead to dehumanisation and the associated negative outcomes. Research into this area is limited by difficulties surrounding clear interventions and outcomes, but the current evidence surrounding humanisation practices is presented. Recommendations are made regarding caring for ICU patients and their family members in ways that emphasise respect, dignity and humanisation.

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Acknowledgements

The author gratefully acknowledges the ICU Patient and Family Advisory Council and the Center for Humanizing Critical Care, both at Intermountain Medical Center and led by Dr. Samuel Brown, for ongoing dedication to improving humanisation in our intensive care units.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, Pulmonary Division, Intermountain Medical Center, Murray, UT, USA

    Sarah J. Beesley

  2. Department of Medicine, Pulmonary Division, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA

    Sarah J. Beesley

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  1. Sarah J. Beesley
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Correspondence to Sarah J. Beesley .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physiotherapy, Western Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

    Kimberley J. Haines

  2. Glasgow Royal Infirmary, NHS Greater, Glasgow and Clyde, Glasgow, UK

    Joanne McPeake

  3. Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA

    Carla M. Sevin

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Beesley, S.J. (2021). Humanising the ICU. In: Haines, K.J., McPeake, J., Sevin, C.M. (eds) Improving Critical Care Survivorship. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-68680-2_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-68680-2_4

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-68679-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-68680-2

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