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Dot calm: New computer program provides ICU comfort

HCPro's Weekly Update on the ANCC Magnet Recognition Program®*, December 5, 2006

The ICU waiting room can be a stressful and intimidating experience for the family of a hospitalized patient. At Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, an ANCC Magnet Recognition Program®-designated facility since 2002, nurse professionals are trying to ease the discomfort by offering family members of hospitalized patients the use of a Web-based education program, called ICU-USA©, that teaches them about the ICU and what to expect.

Rush installed computers with links set to ICU-USA's Web site (www.icu-usa.com) in three of the ICU waiting rooms at the hospital. The Web site assists users by explaining ICU-related medical conditions, procedures, equipment, and drugs, as well as nearly all aspects of the ICU environment. The information helps family members understand what their loved one is experiencing and prepares them for what they will see in the ICU room.

Preimplementation surveys assessing satisfaction with communication and education were conducted with ICU nurses and family members and revealed that a significant amount of nurses' time was spent educating families on aspects of the ICU. After the program was implemented, the facility repeated the surveys and found that nurses were spending a decreased time teaching families about ICU equipment, allowing them to spend more time communicating with families about the plan of care.

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