Background:

The quality of care is a key aspect in the general hospital setting and particularly in ICU. The objective of this study was to analyze the assessment of ICU stay by patients and relatives, as well as the influence of socio-demographic/psychological variables on this assessment.

Methods:

71 critically ill patients and 89 relatives answered the Questionnaire of the ICU stay assessment and the Hospital Anxiety-Depression Scale. Descriptive and frequency analyzes were performed. Likewise, correlation coefficients (Pearson/Spearman), Student’s t test, ANOVA analysis and multiple regression equations were used.

Results:

Results show a positive evaluation in patients, both globally (Mean=4,06; SD=1,25) and in relation to different and inherent to ICU aspects, highlighting the attention/care of professionals (Mean=4,73; SD=0,68). As unpleasant/annoying aspects, they show the scarce possibilities of distraction (Mean=2,41; SD=1,38), lack of silence (Mean=3,15; SD=1,19) and visits policy (Mean=3,66; SD=1,04). Families evaluate globally the patient stay in ICU as “something” pleasant (Mean=3,31; SD=1,76). They also assess most aspects of the unit positively and underline the care/attention of professionals and the attention to psychological needs. The valuation of the ICU stay shows differences in some aspects on the basis of socio-demographic variables. Likewise, family assesses more negatively the patient stay in ICU than patients do.

Conclusion:

The general evaluation of the ICU stay was positive, although with aspects susceptible to be improved. To know this reality is the prior step to the implementation of those measures that reinforce the well-valued issues and improve the worst-valued aspects in order to optimize the quality of the offered care.

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