The Ethics of Post–Intensive Care Syndrome

Post–intensive care syndrome (PICS) is the constellation of consequences of critical illness that begins in the intensive care unit (ICU) and may persist long after hospitalization. Patients’ families may also experience sequelae from their experiences with a loved one in the ICU (PICS-F). A host of persistent physical, cognitive, and mental health problems may adversely affect quality of life, family integrity, and social outcomes.^1,2  It is reported that at least one-third of ICU patients and their families experience PICS and PICS-F.²  Why some patients and families are affected and others are not is unknown.² 

Jane walked into my office for her first day as a nursing leadership student in her last semester of a registered nurse to bachelor of science in nursing (RN to BSN) program. Traditionally these students wear business clothes to their clinical rotation. Her initial words to me were an apology. She...