Authors
Annie Kuriyan Thadicaren1
1Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Baby Memorial Hospital
Abstract
Background: The author, a medical professional, addresses the common “No Bystanders” policy in Intensive Care Units (ICUs), highlighting potential deficiencies and advocating for a policy change. This perspective is strongly influenced by her husband’s recent distressing experience as an ICU patient.
Case Presentation: Following a bowel resection, the author’s husband, a retired professor, experienced profound psychological distress in the surgical ICU. He reported feelings of abandonment, severe claustrophobia, and disorientation due to sensory overload from monitors, lack of external cues (no clock, windows), and absence of human company. During this period, he contemplated self-harm to escape the situation. His severe distress significantly abated upon a brief visit from his wife.
Argument: The author passionately advocates for allowing a family companion in the ICU. She argues that a companion provides crucial emotional support, mitigates psychological trauma such as claustrophobia and feelings of abandonment, and can even assist nursing staff with minor comfort-related tasks for the patient. She draws an analogy to the established benefits of birth companions (doulas) in labor rooms, which have been proven to enhance the birthing experience, shorten labor, and strengthen couple bonding.
Conclusion: The article strongly urges medical professionals responsible for ICUs to reconsider existing policies and implement changes that permit patients to have a companion. This change is presented as a vital step towards significantly improving patient mental and emotional well-being during critical care.