Differences in the characteristics, treatment, and outcomes of patient groups reviewed by intensive care liaison nurses in Australia: A multicentre prospective study

Abstract

BACKGROUND: There is a lack of knowledge about tasks intensive care unit liaison nurses (ICU LNs) perform during patient review, despite this role operating in at least 31 acute care hospitals in Australia. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the tasks that ICU LNs perform during patient review in the following referral subcategories: review after ICU discharge, rapid response team (RRT) review, and ward referral. METHODS: A 2-month prospective observational study using standardised case report forms to collect data on patients reviewed by ICU LNs in 20 Australian hospitals was conducted. RESULTS: From 3799 patients screened, 3542 were included, among whom 1933 (54.6%) were men, and the mean (standard d..