Original Articles
Vol. 42 No. 4 (2025)
https://doi.org/10.4081/scenario.2025.640

HumanITA-ICUs: humanizing Italian intensive care units. A survey study protocol

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Received: 22 April 2025
Accepted: 21 July 2025
Published: 18 November 2025
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Humanization, intensive care unit, critical care nursing, quality of care, post-intensive care syndrome

Authors

Floriana Pinto
floriana.pinto89@gmail.com
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9904-9194
Department of Healthcare Professions, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy; ANIARTI - National Association of Critical Care Nurses, Genoa, Italy.
Emanuele Buccione
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4146-8948
ANIARTI - National Association of Critical Care Nurses, Genoa, Italy; Adult and Paediatric Intensive Care Unit, Local Health Authority 3 Pescara, Italy.
Giuseppe Tinessa
Intensive Care Unit, Moncucco Hospital Group, Lugano, Italy.
Michele Stellabotte
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3997-6193
Paediatric Operating Theatre Suite, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Milan, Italy.
Jos M. Latour
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8087-6461
School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Health, University of Plymouth, United Kingdom; Curtin School of Nursing, Curtin University, Perth, Australia; Department of Nursing, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
Francesco Limonti
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4781-7715
ANIARTI - National Association of Critical Care Nurses, Genoa, Italy; Operating Room Department, Ferrara University Hospital, Ferrara, Italy.

Introduction: in recent years, humanizing care in Intensive Care Units (ICSs) has become a focal point of research worldwide. Key determinants for improving ICU experiences include patient-centred factors (sleep, pain, PTSD prevention), family involvement (visitation policies, communication), and healthcare professional well-being (training, emotional support). This study aims to study the organizational and behavioral characteristics related to humanization and comfort in Italian ICUs.

Materials and Methods: a national cross-sectional survey, based on a specific framework, will be conducted from December 2024 to June 2025, involving ICUs’ head nurses across Italy.

Results: the study will provide a detailed overview of organizational and behavioral practices in Italian ICUs, identifying regional and structural variations, highlighting limitations, and outlining future projects to improve clinical, behavioral, and organizational practices.

Conclusions: the national analysis of organizational and behavioral aspects related to humanization in Italian ICUs will focus on the experiences of patients, families, and healthcare professionals. These findings will help to identify best practices and areas requiring improvement, supporting training and organizational interventions to foster a new approach to intensive care.

 

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HumanITA-ICUs: humanizing Italian intensive care units. A survey study protocol. (2025). Scenario® - Il Nursing Nella Sopravvivenza, 42(4). https://doi.org/10.4081/scenario.2025.640
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