A New Model for Intensive Care Unit Follow-up: The “Attention-to” List as an Alternative to the Checklist

The purpose of this paper is to investigate a new model for ICU follow-up co-designed by nurses from four different wards. This paper aims to compare the checklist aiding the ICU follow-ups with an alternative "attention-to" list. Nurses from four wards co-designed a new take on the ICU follow-up procedure. The study included users in designing the procedure and provided the users with the opportunity to influence the product that affects their clinical practices. We compare the "attention-to" list with the checklist and suggest a new model for follow-up after patients are transferred from an ICU to a general ward. The nurses who participated found that the traditional checklist approach creates more obstacles than it supports. The obstacles are due to the change in context as the follow-up plan is initiated in the ICU but is performed on the general ward. Therefore, the plan must accommodate both working environments. In conclusion, the new model for ICU follow-up is characterized by being goal-oriented and putting nursing expertise at its core. Furthermore, the new model can adapt to the change in context as it is initiated in the ICU setting and executed in a general ward.