Agitation in Critical Care: The patients perspective

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Exploring the experiences of patients and carers in relation to the management of agitation within Adult Critical Care

  • IRAS ID

    229589

  • Contact name

    Janelle Yorke

  • Contact email

    Janelle.Yorke@manchester.ac.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    University of Manchester

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    0 years, 5 months, 1 days

  • Research summary

    Why?

    Patient agitation is a condition of psychomotor disturbance, characterised by increased motor and psychological activity (Chevrolet & Jolliet, 2007). Agitation is accompanied by disorganised thought and is common among Adult Critical Care Unit (ACCU) patients (Whitehouse, 2014). An agitated patient can exhibit behaviour, such as restlessness or thrashing, placing themselves and others at risk (Tate, Devito Dabbs, Hoffman, Milbrandt, & Happ, 2012).
    What?
    A gap in the research is the opinion of patient and families, their experiences of agitation within ACCU and the management techniques employed. It this their experience which will be sought Who?
    Patients who have experienced agitation and its management whilst in the ACCU will be recruited. Following this, the patient participants will be asked if they can nominate a significant other(s), who witnessed their admission to ACCU.

    Where?
    Interviews will take place in a private space in the hospital. Interviews with relatives may take place at the relative's preferred location hospital, own home, or the University of Manchester.

    How?
    Semi-structured interviews will be conducted with those who have experienced agitation or witnessed their loved ones experiencing agitation in the ACCU.

  • REC name

    North West - Greater Manchester West Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    18/NW/0693

  • Date of REC Opinion

    7 Nov 2018

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion