Table 1

Inclusion/exclusion criteria for individual participants

Inclusion criteria

  • Adult patients (>18 years)

  • Adult family members of eligible patients (>18 years)

  • Elective or emergency admissions in the ICU ≥72 h

  • Patients identified for discharge to a general ward setting within the hospital

  • Elective discharges between 08:00 and 20:00 Monday to Friday

Exclusion criteria

  • Patients for whom active treatment had been withdrawn

  • Inability to verbally communicate in or read English

  • Involvement in a phase I focus group study4

  • ICU, intensive care unit.