Table 1

Summary of each participant

PseudonymRelative present?Age range (years)APACHE IIDiagnosisLength of stay, ICU (days)Length of stay, hospital (days)Discharge location
RichardNo.30–3917Acute porphryia.9102Long-term, inpatient rehabilitation.
MartinNo.30–3914Drug overdose, aspiration pneumonia and rhabdomyolysis.2632Home, outpatient rehabilitation.
SadiqNo.50–5922Exacerbation of COPD.3334Home, full care package.
SarahNo.60–6924Open hernia repair – postoperative MOF115197Long-term, inpatient rehabilitation.
TomNo.60–6910Pneumonia and pulmonary embolism.1016Home, outpatient rehabilitation.
EvanNo.60–6915Acute bowel obstruction – colon cancer.548Home, no rehabilitation.
SashaYes, daughter.50–5910Neuromyelitis opitica.1998Long-term, inpatient rehabilitation.
JohnNo.40–4927Influenza.3371Long-term, inpatient rehabilitation.
GeorgeNo.50–5912Drug overdose – respiratory failure.2536Home, no rehabilitation.
MichelleNo.80–8914Exacerbation of COPD.642Declined inpatient rehabilitation – home, full care package.
Jim (M)Yes, wife.50–5911Food poisoning – MOF.1018Home, no rehabilitation.
Matthew (M)No.70–7918Hospital-acquired pneumonia – fractured NOF.5178Nursing home.
Caroline (F)Yes, husband.70–7922Anterior resection for bowel cancer.1363Short stay, inpatient rehabilitation.
Ben (M)No.40–4915Drug overdose.65107Home, care package.
David (M)Yes, wife present.6321Influenza.150232Long-term, inpatient rehabilitation.
  • APACHE, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II; COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; ICU, intensive care unit; MOF, multiorgan failure; NOF, neck of femur.