ATS 2021 will feature presentations of original research from accepted abstracts. Mini Symposia and Thematic Poster Sessions are abstract based sessions.
Please use the form below to browse scientific abstracts and case reports accepted for ATS 2021. Abstracts presented at the ATS 2021 will be published in the Online Abstract Issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Volume 203, May 3, 2021.
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Effects of Power of Attorney Designation on a Family Member's Anxiety Associated with an ICU Admission
Session Title
TP19 - TP019 QUALITY, PROCESS, AND OUTCOMES IN ACUTE AND CRITICAL CARE
Abstract
A1694 - Effects of Power of Attorney Designation on a Family Member's Anxiety Associated with an ICU Admission
Author Block: B. Harris1, S. Beesley2, D. Groat2, R. O. Hopkins3, E. L. Hirshberg4, E. Wilson5, J. Butler6, T. Oniki2, K. Kuttler2, J. F. Orme2, S. M. Brown2; 1Internal Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States, 2Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Intermountain Medical Center, Murray, UT, United States, 3Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, United States, 4Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Intermountain Medical Ctr, Murray, UT, United States, 5Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States, 6Geriatrics and Psychology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States.
Introduction: A family member’s perceived stress during a loved one’s ICU admission may be associated with psychological distress (anxiety, depression, and PTSD) post-discharge. We sought to understand the effects of being power of attorney (POA) on the family member’s perceived stress upon admission to the ICU as well as their anxiety at 3-month follow-up. Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of a cohort of family members whose loved ones were admitted to a study ICU. Upon admission, family members were asked if they were the POA of the patient. Family members were administered the perceived stress scale (PSS), a 4-item questionnaire scored 0-4, and a visual analogue scale (VAS), scored 0-16 and 0-100, respectively, with higher scores indicating higher levels of stress. A Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS-A) questionnaire, a measure of anxiety with those scoring ≥8 likely having anxiety, was completed 3 months post-enrollment. Results: 99 family members were enrolled into the parent study with 92 completing follow-up. Mean age of participants was 55 (SD 14) years, 26% had a history of anxiety, and 63% were female. 49 family members reported being POA for the patient. Being the reported POA was associated with a lower level of stress as indicated by the mean PSS scores (POA: 4.39 (±3.70), non-POA: 5.88 (±3.70); p-value= 0.04), but was not associated with a lower mean VAS score (POA: 58.12 (±29.16), non-POA: 61.84 (±25.48); p= 0.65). Anxiety in family members at 3 months was also lower within the POA group (POA: 20.4%, non-POA: 30.0%; p=0.05). Conclusion: We found that family members who report themselves as power of attorney have a lower level of perceived stress as indicated by the PSS, and also have a lower chance of having anxiety at 3-month follow-up. Overall, our findings could indicate that being in a position to help guide medical decision making may help family members feel empowered, and therefore have less anxiety about an ICU admission of their loved one.
Author Block: B. Harris1, S. Beesley2, D. Groat2, R. O. Hopkins3, E. L. Hirshberg4, E. Wilson5, J. Butler6, T. Oniki2, K. Kuttler2, J. F. Orme2, S. M. Brown2; 1Internal Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States, 2Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Intermountain Medical Center, Murray, UT, United States, 3Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, United States, 4Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Intermountain Medical Ctr, Murray, UT, United States, 5Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States, 6Geriatrics and Psychology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States.
Introduction: A family member’s perceived stress during a loved one’s ICU admission may be associated with psychological distress (anxiety, depression, and PTSD) post-discharge. We sought to understand the effects of being power of attorney (POA) on the family member’s perceived stress upon admission to the ICU as well as their anxiety at 3-month follow-up. Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of a cohort of family members whose loved ones were admitted to a study ICU. Upon admission, family members were asked if they were the POA of the patient. Family members were administered the perceived stress scale (PSS), a 4-item questionnaire scored 0-4, and a visual analogue scale (VAS), scored 0-16 and 0-100, respectively, with higher scores indicating higher levels of stress. A Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS-A) questionnaire, a measure of anxiety with those scoring ≥8 likely having anxiety, was completed 3 months post-enrollment. Results: 99 family members were enrolled into the parent study with 92 completing follow-up. Mean age of participants was 55 (SD 14) years, 26% had a history of anxiety, and 63% were female. 49 family members reported being POA for the patient. Being the reported POA was associated with a lower level of stress as indicated by the mean PSS scores (POA: 4.39 (±3.70), non-POA: 5.88 (±3.70); p-value= 0.04), but was not associated with a lower mean VAS score (POA: 58.12 (±29.16), non-POA: 61.84 (±25.48); p= 0.65). Anxiety in family members at 3 months was also lower within the POA group (POA: 20.4%, non-POA: 30.0%; p=0.05). Conclusion: We found that family members who report themselves as power of attorney have a lower level of perceived stress as indicated by the PSS, and also have a lower chance of having anxiety at 3-month follow-up. Overall, our findings could indicate that being in a position to help guide medical decision making may help family members feel empowered, and therefore have less anxiety about an ICU admission of their loved one.
