Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty Of Nursing - Department Of Surgical Nursing

The critical care units - (CCU's) are designed for life - saving efficiency and quick responseBut the chilling bright lights , intimidating technology and almost inevitable feelings of helplessness can prove so stressful for patients as to damage their chances for recoveryTherefore the aim of this study was to identify the patients' perception of the sources of stressors in the ICUthrough their lived experiencesThe study was an attempt to answer three research questions including : (1) what are the stressors of the CCU as perceived by patients through their lived experience? (2) Is there a relationship between the CCU patients' sociodemographic characteristics and the type and intensity of stressors? (3) Is there a relationship between the CCU patients' clinical history and the type and intensity of stressors? The study sample was comprised of 100 male and female patientsTwo tools were utilized for data collection a - Demographic and clinical history b - The Intensive Care Unit Environmental Stressor Scale : (ICUESS) Structured interview was utilized for data collectionThe most stressful category was that related to the patient presence with other patients , the mean+SD was (7556+1694) , the patients him / herself comes next (6358+1306) , then the design and the structure of the CCU (5725+1485) , followed by the staff and personnel (5648+1342) , finally the category of the stressors that related to the CCU rules and regulations (4931+1064) There were also some stressors also perceived as highly stressful such as , continuous light , the paging sound , restricted visiting system , the doctors aren't careful to explain the patient's progression and treatment regimen , no orientation by the time and the date , being bored and missing of family and friendsThege , sex , place of residence , the presence of comorbidity , information prior to admission and the marital status were correlated to some types and the intensity of stressorsWhere as the diagnosis , consciousness level at the time of admission and previous admissions had no correlationBased on the study findings , recommendations were made to establish measures and plans to minimize as possible stressors that the patient can be exposed to , and to permit a humane structuring of CCU

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