Carina Hjelm

Research Group for Frail, Critically Ill Patients

FrailBrain

The results are expected to increase knowledge about patients’ physical and mental well-being before and after heart surgery. The questionnaires can collectively reflect the health status of frail heart surgery patients and how we can provide additional support to these patients.
We are a group of researchers with clinically active nurses and researchers at LIU who are looking at this patient group after heart surgery

FrailHealth

It is crucial to study the signs and symptoms exhibited by these patients with severe HAI (Healthcare-Associated Infections) and the characteristics and diagnoses these patients have. The vigilant care provided by nurses is of great importance for the early identification of signs and symptoms of ongoing severe HAI, especially sepsis.
I am the assistant supervisor for PhD student Sebastian Geijer with the project title “Identifying vital signs and symptoms to develop and implement an evidence-based PDM protocol (Early Detection of Infection Scale in Intensive Care, EDICU) for the early detection of suspected infection in critically ill patients in a surgical context.”

FrailHeart

Cognitive problems increase with age, making this group of survivors likely more vulnerable than younger cardiac arrest survivors and therefore in greater need of identification. • I am the assistant supervisor for PhD student Karin Steel with the project title “Cognitive Function and Health in Cardiac Arrest Survivors.”

FrailSleep

Sleep problems are common among cardiac arrest survivors and did not improve after two years of follow-up. Relatives of cardiac arrest survivors also experience sleep-related issues. It is therefore important to screen for insomnia problems so they can be identified and treated. • I am the assistant supervisor for PhD student Patrik Hellström (Linné University, Kalmar) with the project title “The Impact of Sleep on Health and Quality of Life after Cardiac Arrest.