This study aims to evaluate whether including a patient's family member during transfer from the intensive care unit (ICU) to the general ward can help reduce anxiety in patients who have undergone cardiovascular surgery. The research is being conducted in a cardiovascular ICU in Turkey. Patients in the intervention group are accompanied by a close relative during the transfer process. Their anxiety levels and vital signs are measured before and after the transfer and compared to those of patients transferred without a relative.

This quasi-experimental study investigates the effect of a nurse-led transfer program involving patient relatives on transfer-related anxiety and vital signs in cardiovascular surgery ICU patients. The study is conducted in a cardiovascular intensive care unit in Turkey between August and October 2024. A total of 150 patients who undergo open-heart surgery and meet the inclusion criteria are enrolled. Participants are assigned sequentially to either the control or intervention group.

In the intervention group, a structured, nurse-led transfer protocol is applied in three phases: (1) pre-transfer preparation involving the patient's relative, (2) accompanied transfer by a relative and clinical staff, and (3) post-transfer monitoring. The control group receives routine hospital transfer procedures, which do not include family involvement.

The primary outcome is the change in patients' state anxiety, measured at three time points (before, immediately prior, and 30-60 minutes after transfer) using the State Anxiety Inventory (STAI-I). Secondary outcomes include changes in vital signs (blood pressure, pulse, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation), recorded at the same time points.

The study is designed to contribute to the development of family-centered, nurse-led protocols aimed at improving patient comfort and emotional well-being during ICU-to-ward transfers.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age 18 years or older
• Undergoing first-time open-heart surgery (e.g., CABG or valve replacement)
• Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score ≥ 14 prior to transfer
• Hemodynamically stable at the time of transfer
• Stayed in the cardiovascular surgery ICU for at least 24 hours
• Experiencing first intra-hospital transfer
• Presence of a primary caregiver available for transfer support

Exclusion Criteria:

• Emergency cardiac surgery
• Neurological or psychiatric disorders in the patient
• Postoperative complications resulting in prolonged ICU stay
• Emergency intervention required during the transfer
• Known interpersonal conflict between the patient and the caregiver

De-identified individual participant data (IPD) that underlie the results reported in the study publication will be shared. This includes demographic data, STAI-I anxiety scores, and vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation) measured at three time points. Data will be available beginning 6 months after publication and will be accessible to qualified researchers upon reasonable request to the corresponding author. A data-sharing agreement will be required.

IPD and supporting documents will be available beginning 12 months after publication of the primary results and will be accessible for a period of 5 years.

Qualified researchers affiliated with academic institutions or healthcare organizations will be able to request access to de-identified individual participant data (IPD), including STAI-I scores, vital signs, and demographic information, as well as the study protocol and statistical analysis plan. Access will be granted upon submission of a data use proposal and signing of a data-sharing agreement. Requests should be submitted to the study contact via email and will be reviewed within 30 days.

No parties were masked in this study due to the nature of the intervention, which involved the visible participation of patient relatives during the ICU transfer process. The open-label design was necessary to ensure ethical and logistical feasibility.