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Park, Yoo, Son, and Bae: Factors Influencing Relocation Stress Syndrome in Patients Following Transfer from Intensive Care Units
Original Article
Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing

Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing 2010; 40(3): 307-316.

Published online: 30 June 2010

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2010.40.3.307

Factors Influencing Relocation Stress Syndrome in Patients Following Transfer from Intensive Care Units

Jin-Hee Park1, Moon-Sook Yoo2, Youn-Jung Son3, Sun Hyoung Bae4

1Assistant Professor, College of Nursing, Ajou University, Suwon, Korea.

2Professor, College of Nursing, Ajou University, Suwon, Korea.

3Associate Professor, Department of Nursing, Soonchunhyang University, Cheonan, Korea.

4Doctoral Student, College of Nursing, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea.

Address reprint requests to: Son, Youn-Jung. Department of Nursing, Soonchunhyang University, 366-1 Ssangyong dong, Cheonan 330-090, Korea. Tel: 82-41-570-2487, Fax: 82-41-575-9347, yjson@sch.ac.kr

Received 21 February 2010       Accepted 6 April 2010

Copyright © 2010 Korean Society of Nursing Science

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to identify the levels of relocation stress syndrome (RSS) and influencing the stress experienced by Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients just after transfer to general wards.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted with 257 patients who transferred from the intensive care unit. Data were collected through self-report questionnaires from May to October, 2009. Data were analyzed using the Pearson correlation coefficient, t-test, one-way ANOVA, and stepwise multiple linear regression with SPSS/WIN 12.0.

Results

The mean score for RSS was 17.80±9.16. The factors predicting relocation stress syndrome were symptom experience, differences in scope and quality of care provided by ICU and ward nursing staffs, satisfaction with transfer process, length of stay in ICU and economic status, and these factors explained 40% of relocation stress syndrome (F=31.61, p<.001).

Conclusion

By understanding the stress experienced by ICU patients, nurses are better able to provide psychological support and thus more holistic care to critically ill patients. Further research is needed to consider the impact of relocation stress syndrome on patients' health outcomes in the recovery trajectory.

Keywords: Intensive care units, Patient transfer, Relocation stress

Figures and Tables

Table 1
Relocation Stress Syndrome of Patients (N=257)
jkan-40-307-i001
Table 2
Differences in Relocation Stress Syndrome by Socio-demographic and Illness-related Characteristics (N=257)
jkan-40-307-i002

*Categories of hepatic, renal and other combined. ICU=Intensive care units.

Table 3
Correlation among Symptom Experiences, Transfer related Variables and Relocation Stress Syndrome (N=257)
jkan-40-307-i003

ICU=Intensive care units.

Table 4
Predictors of Relocation Stress Syndrome (N=257)
jkan-40-307-i004

ICU=Intensive care units.

Notes

This study was financially supported by the research fund of Ajou University in 2009.

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