Severe Soft Tissue Infections: Perspectives of Patients and Significant others.
Short description
The overall aim is to explore the experiences of patient/person and his/ her significant other in relation to Necrotizing fasciitis (NSTI,) thereby creating the prerequisite for optimal care and treatment in the acute phase, as well as in the rehabilitation phase. Moreover, to describe the impact of NSTI on everyday life and affected persons reported outcomes
The specific aims
To explore the patient experiences of acquiring a necrotizing soft tissue infection at 6 months after diagnosis
To explore the experience of the rehabilitation phase two years after diagnosis
To explore care, nursing care and emotions in the acute and rehabilitation phase as experienced by significant others when someone close is affected by a necrotizing soft tissue infection.
To assess patient and close relative reported health related quality of life outcome at 6 and 24 months post ICU, and to assess the development over time to test the validity and reliability of SF-36 in a population of patients with NSTI.
Methods
The design of project is constructed in close cooperation with a former patient, Kim Andersson and his wife. The interview guide and study plan was discussed by researchers and patient in order to enhance validity and reliability. To explore patients and significant others experiences in relation to NSTI a mixed method explorative design will be used as this is suitable for creating an understanding and knowledge of a phenomenon from the perspective of those affected. Data will be collected through qualitative interviews, diaries and SF 36
Expected value and clinical relevance
As the first major study on patients and significant others experiences in relation to NSTI it is expected that the study will contribute with knowledge on early patient reported signs and symptoms of infection that will facilitate rapid diagnoses and treatment. Moreover, the study will contribute knowledge on how to organize care and treatment to meet the needs of patients and significant others, in the acute phase and during the longer rehabilitation phase.
