Abstract: Objective: To investigate the readiness of primary caregivers of ICU patients who were transferred out of ICU and analyze factors affecting readiness of the major caregivers. The aim is to provide some references for improving the caregivers' readiness and providing health education for the caregivers. Methods: Totally 200 primary caregivers of patients transferred out from ICUs of three tertiary hospitals were selected as subjects using the method of convenience sampling from August to December of 2017. Relative information of those subjects was collected through the general information questionnaire and the primary caregiver readiness scale. Results: The average readiness score of the main caregivers of ICU outpatients was (13.87±4.78) points. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the primary caregivers' age, educational level, gender and care experience, presence or absence of co-carers as well as the patients' age were factors affectingreadiness of those primary caregivers (P<0.05). Conclusion: The readiness of primary caregivers ofpatients transferred out of ICU is not satisfying. When caregivers are women, at a younger age, with higher educational level as well as caring experience, their readiness could be relatively higher. In addition, the presence of co-carers and patients being at younger age could also lead to higher readiness.

Key words: Intensive Care Units; primary caregivers; readiness; influencing factors