Factors contributing to adverse events after ICU discharge: A survey of liaison nurses

SummaryBackgroundA significant number of patients experience an adverse event when discharged from intensive care to a ward. More than half of these events may be preventable with better standards of care.AimTo explore the opinions of an expert group of clinicians around factors contributing to adverse events in patients discharged from ICU.MethodOnline survey of Australian ICU Liaison Nurses (n = 39) using a validated questionnaire of 25 items.ResultsThe response rate was 92.8%. Key contributing factors included a lack of experienced ward staff, patient co-morbidities and the clinically challenging nature of many patients.ConclusionModifying processes of care may decrease the risk or impact of adverse events in this high risk patient population.