A planned admission protocol application in intensive care units.

ABSTRACT Background The process of admission to an ICU may have a negative impact on a patient's physiological parameters and comfort. Aim To determine the effect of providing a patient admission protocol on patients' comfort and physiological parameters prior to admission to the intensive care unit ( ICU). Design A randomized, controlled experimental study. Methods This study included 100 (50 control, 50 experimental) patients who experienced planned admissions to the ICU of a University Hospital. Standard forms were used to record patient information, evaluations and comfort. Data were collected from patients prior to, during and 24 h after admission to the ICU and 24 h after being transferred. The experimental group was admitted to the ICU using the patient admission protocol and the control group underwent routine admittance. Findings There was no significant difference between the groups regarding the individual characteristics, physiology and comfort prior to, during or 24 h after admission to the ICU ( p > 0·05). However, 24 h after being transferred, the experimental group's comfort was significantly higher than that of the control group ( p < 0·01). Conclusions The use of the patient admission protocol does not affect the physiological parameters of patients; however, it does raise the comfort level of patients. Relevance to clinical practice The patient admission protocol specific to the institution (in this context, a unit introductory booklet) should be developed in ICUs. We suggest that admission to the ICU should be carried out in accordance with this protocol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]