ICU package - BSCAH - British Society of Clinical and Academic Hypnosis

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These audio recordings are suitable for use in ICU or ED areas for ventilated patients or patients on CPAP/face mask oxygen.
They can be downloaded to an MP3 player or tablet and then left to play to patients via headphones or earbuds.
We suggest that they should be played three or more times a day.

These resources should only be used under the guidance of Healthcare Professionals.

In hypnosis we enter into a natural daydreamy state, a little like meditation, that results from a focusing of attention and use of imagination. When in this state suggestions are more effective and have been shown to have a marked effect on physiology. When a patient is highly anxious or sedated, they are in an altered state already, and this can be utilised to give positive suggestions that can aid recovery.

It is thought that even heavily sedated patients are aware of sounds around them and also that a large percentage of patients who have been in ICU suffer from post-traumatic stress afterwards. Studies (see below) have shown that ventilation time and sedation may be reduced following positive suggestion given via MP3 player and although there is currently no evidence to support a generic scripted audio we believe it may still have positive benefits for patients..

It is hoped that, by listening to this audio, the patient will recover faster, need less sedation and generally have a better experience so reducing the incidence of post-traumatic stress.

For further information about hypnosis please Click here

There are many positive suggestions that can be used while working with your patients. Here are a few of them:

1. All the sounds and noises you may become aware of just mean that you are being cared for... being kept safe
2. You are being watched over and cared for... we will look after you – you have nothing to do except focus on your healing
3. You can trust us to take good care of you and each time you hear our voices you can feel comforted and stronger
4. You need hear only those things that are helpful to you
5. As you hear the noises around you, they can just help you to feel more relaxed

To download the audio recordings click the SHARE button, then click the DOWNLOAD icon and then on the new screen of the recording by itself right click (PC) on the three dots or the volume icon to the right of the play bar and select download or 'save audio as...'

Explanatory instructions for staff (audio)
Explanatory leaflet for staff

Explanatory leaflet for patient and relatives
Explanatory audio for patient or relative

Hypnosis and positive suggestion script for a patient on ICU script
Hypnosis and positive suggestion audio for a patient on ICU

All audios above can be accessed together here To download right click (PC) on the three dots or the volume icon to the right of the play bar and select download or 'save audio as...'

Szilagyi et al 2014 Shortening the length of stay and mechanical ventilation time by using positive suggestions via MP3 players for ventilated patients

Audio review of above article by Dr Charlotte Davies (A&E Consultant)

Self-help audios ‘Resolving Trauma’
Self-help ‘Resolving Trauma’ is a five step programme to help resolve trauma. If you have a patient who has been in hospital or ICU and who is suffering from PTSD type symptoms such as anxiety, nightmares or flashbacks and whom you think would benefit, then please contact us so that we can authorise its download for your patient to use under your care.

Some information about the ‘Resolving Trauma’ audios

This podcast gives an explanation of post-traumatic stress and how symptoms may arise. It also uses metaphorical imagery to access calm and help resolve the traumatic feelings. There are also recordings of general approaches including ways to express negative feelings safely, connecting with how you want to feel, and managing feelings of anger and guilt. One recording gives information about self-hypnosis and there is also a five-minute breathing self-hypnotic exercise and a longer self-hypnosis with special place imagery and positive suggestion

Info for Healthcare Professionals

To access the BSCAH ICU podcasts,
please complete the form below.