ICU-SUCCEED for Survivors of Acute Respiratory Failure and Their Caregivers

A Pilot Randomized Trial of the Self-Management Using Couples' Coping EnhancEment in Diseases Intervention for Survivors of Acute Respiratory Failure and Their Family Caregivers

This study will investigate whether a family-centered intervention that has been adapted for patients with critical illness and their caregivers is possible, acceptable, and helpful

Participants will be randomized to receive written handouts or to the ICU-SUCCEED intervention. The intervention includes one inpatient (in-person) and 4 outpatient (Zoom or telephone) sessions that take 30-45 minutes. Dyads will complete questionnaires at baseline and at a Day 90 Follow-Up.

Patient Inclusion Criteria

• Admitted to the medical ICU at UNC with acute respiratory failure (functional lung impairment resulting in hypoxia, hypercapnia, or both) and/or sepsis with significant end organ dysfunction.
• At least 18 years old
• Survives to hospital discharge
• Is expected to be discharged home or to an acute inpatient rehabilitation center with a clear plan to be subsequently discharged home
• Capable of providing written informed consent
• Has English language proficiency

Caregiver Inclusion Criteria

• Provides emotional, physical, and/or financial support to the patient in a non-professional, unpaid capacity
• Must be related to the patient in one of the following ways: a spouse or domestic partner, an adult child, a parent, or a sibling
• At least 18 years of age
• Has English language proficiency
• Must be the caregiver of a patient that meets the patient eligibility criteria listed above

Patient Exclusion Criteria:

• No available family caregiver
• Lacks decision-making capacity
• Under 18 years of age
• Living at a location other than home prior to admission
• Unhoused prior to admission
• Receives extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) during hospital stay
• Expected to discharge to any location other than home or an acute inpatient rehabilitation center
• Does not have English language proficiency

Caregiver Exclusion Criteria

• Does not provide emotional, physical, and/or financial support to the patient in a non-profession, unpaid capacity
• Is not related to the patient in one of the following ways: a spouse or domestic partner, an adult child, a parent, or a sibling
• Cannot complete surveys or engage in other study activities due to physical or cognitive limitations
• Unhoused prior to admission
• Is under 18 years of age
• Does not have English language proficiency
• Is not the caregiver of a patient that meets the patient eligibility criteria listed above