Stress reduction in post cardiac surgery family members: Implementation of a post cardiac surgery family tool kit

Abstract

<p>The intensive care unit (ICU) can be a place of stress, anxiety, and emotional instability for both patients and families. Medical and nursing care during this acute time is patient focused, and family members are often left in the dark. Unintentional exclusion from information results in high levels of stress, anxiety, and uncertainty for families. Due to the acuity of illness, family members of cardiac surgery patients experience the highest levels of stress. Spouses may experience intense psychosomatic symptoms: depression, anxiety, and fear, for several months after the surgery (Mahler &amp; Kulik, 2002). The purpose of this study was aimed at decreasing those feelings of anxiety in post cardiac surgery family member through the use of a cardiac surgery toolkit. The study was a quality improvement project utilizing a convenience sample of 83 participants aged 18 and older. Participants were asked to use the State Trait Anxiety Inventory Form Y-1 (state anxiety) to rate their anxiety level pre intervention and then again post intervention. Data was collected over a 6month period. Descriptive data including age, education level, ethnicity, relationship, previous experience in the ICU, and active diagnoses of mental disorders did not affect the changes in the pre and post test data. A paired <em>t</em>-test was conducted on the sample to assess changes in state anxiety, using the STAI Form Y-1.&nbsp; The results were statistically significant, <em>t </em>= 11.97, <em>df</em> = 81, <em>p</em> &lt; 0.001.&nbsp; Respondents&rsquo; scores decreased significantly from pre- (M = 53.01, SD = 12.19) to post-intervention (M = 37.38, SD = 10.94).&nbsp; The data suggests that the use of a post cardiac surgery tool kit is a low risk measure that can decrease the anxiety in family members of post cardiac surgery patients.</p>