Longitudinal Associations Among Symptoms of Family Intensive Care Unit Syndrome

Activity Summary

Required reading for all learners: Implicit Bias impacts patient outcomes

A significant proportion of surrogate decision makers (SDMs) for the critically ill exhibit symptoms of family intensive care unit syndrome (FICUS), a dysregulated state including debilitating emotional distress (anxiety and depression), poor sleep health (sleep disturbance), and susceptibility to biased decision-making (decision fatigue). Ultimately, FICUS symptoms leave SDMs feeling less prepared and confident in their role, possibly increasing their risk of developing chronic psychiatric morbidity and the patient’s risk of receiving value-discordant care. Therefore, mitigating symptoms of FICUS may yield substantial benefits for critically ill patients and their SDMs.

Objectives

Describe family intensive care unit syndrome.
Identify the symptoms of family intensive care unit syndrome.
Explain the clinical implications of the study findings.

Continuing Education Disclosure Statement

Successful Completion

Learners must complete the entire activity and the associated evaluation to be awarded contact hours AND read Implicit Bias impacts patient outcomes. No partial credit will be awarded.

Accreditation

The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.
Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider number CEP 1036, for {contactHours} contact hours.

Disclosures

Any relevant relationship between an ineligible company and an individual with the ability to influence clinical content will be identified by the Nurse Planner within the activity. Any relevant relationship between an ineligible company and an individual with the ability to influence clinical content has been mitigated.

Accreditation refers to recognition of continuing education only and does not imply AACN, ANCC, or CBRN approval or endorsement of any commercial products discussed or displayed in conjunction with this educational activity. Activities with pharmacology hours are to assist the APRN in fulfilling the pharmacotherapeutic education requirements for licensure and certification renewals.

Activities meet the standards for most states that require mandatory continuing education for license and/or certification renewal. AACN recommends consulting with your own state board of nursing or credentialing organization before submitting your certificate of completion.

Refund Policy

Continuing Education Activities are nonrefundable.