Objectives:

Aim 1: To use rigorous qualitative methods to explore family member experiences during three specific periods of care: 1) at the time of their loved one's hospital admission and during their stay on the acute care floor; 2) at the time a decision is made to pursue transfer to the ICU; and 3) during the period of time following ICU admission 

Aim 2: To perform an exploratory analysis of patient and family member factors associated with lower family member ratings of care for patients transferred from acute care to the ICU. 

Methodology:

Descriptive thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with family members; surveys, chart abstraction

Measures:

Age, sex, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, comorbid illness, family ratings of ICU care, length of stay