• Kelly Drumright, Abigail C Jones, Ralph Gervasio, Christopher Hill, Margaret Russell, and Leanne M Boehm.
• TN Valley Healthcare System, Nashville Veterans Affairs Hospital, Nashville, Tennessee (Mss Drumright and Russell, Messrs Gervasio and Hill, and Dr Boehm); Vanderbilt University School of Nursing, Nashville, Tennessee (Ms Jones and Dr Boehm); and Critical Illness, Brain dysfunction, and Survivorship Center at Vanderbilt, Nashville, Tennessee (Ms Jones and Dr Boehm).
• J Nurs Care Qual. 2021 Apr 1; 36 (2): 155-161.

BackgroundIntensive care unit (ICU) diaries are recommended to address psychological sequelae following critical illness. Diaries are correlated with reduced prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder in survivors of critical illness and their families.Local ProblemOur ICU was not adequately meeting the psychological needs of patients and families.MethodsWe established an interprofessional team to implement an ICU diary program in partnership with implementation of the ABCDEF (Assess, prevent, and manage pain; Both awakening and breathing trials; Choice of analgesia and sedation; Delirium: assess, prevent, and manage; Early mobility and exercise; Family engagement and empowerment) bundle and peer support programs. Staff knowledge and perception of ICU diaries were obtained.InterventionsDiaries were initiated for patients at high risk for post-intensive care syndrome, and entries by all ICU staff and family members/visitors were encouraged.ResultsA total of 75 diaries were initiated between January 2017 and January 2019. The ICU diaries have been received positively by patients, family members, and staff.ConclusionsThe ICU diary is a cost-effective and efficient intervention to help patients and family members cope with the burden of critical illness.Copyright © 2020 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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