Publication Date
3-2025
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Abstract
Bedside diaries have been used in Adult Intensive Care Units (ICUs) in Europe since the 1970s. These journals encourage clinicians to record a patient’s progress, illness narrative, and daily occurrences. Adult ICUs in America are beginning to implement and study the benefits of ICU journals. Bedside journals have been shown to increase staff engagement and aid in psychological recovery for patients and families following their illness. These diaries improve communication between the healthcare team and families, and help patients make sense of ICU stays by filling in memory gaps. Studies on ICU diaries have shown that a bedside diary kept throughout an ICU stay can decrease anxiety levels, decrease depression, decrease symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and improve an ICU survivor’s quality of life. This project examines the impact of bedside diaries on families with patients on Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) support and the staff that cares for them. The hospital legal team and Family Advisory Board were consulted in the diary development. A survey was sent to ECMO staff to evaluate existing knowledge of ICU diaries. Education was provided through department meetings. Diary champions were recruited to audit diaries. Diaries included non-digital photographs. Family members completed a survey after their loved one’s ECMO run and completion of the diary. Common themes from family surveys included: “loved,” “great,” “perspective,” “roller coaster,” “traumatic time,” “amazing,” “encouraging,” “awesome,” and “cute.” Families expressed that the diaries helped humanize the ECMO staff and care providers, fostering a more personal connection. A follow-up survey was conducted with ECMO staff to assess their perceptions. Common themes from the staff post survey included: “enjoyment,” “coping," “useful,” and “value.” Patient diaries have a positive psychological effect on family members, serving as a powerful rapport-building tool. Families and staff provided positive feedback, noting increased engagement and improved communication.
Disciplines
Medical Specialties | Pediatrics
Recommended Citation
Jimenez, Sarah P.; Orrick, Johanna I.; and Davidson, Kari L., "The Pediatric ECMO Diary: Strengthening Communication, Family Coping, and Staff Engagement" (2025). Posters. 466.
https://scholarlyexchange.childrensmercy.org/posters/466
Notes
Presented at the 41st Annual ECMO and the Advanced Therapies for Respiratory Failure Symposium; Keystone, Colorado; March 2-5, 2025.