Health care and professional organizations have made much effort to standardize and improve critical care through evidence-based protocols and guidelines. However, intensive care unit (ICU) survivors are at risk for various cognitive, functional, and mental health impairments that can persist during their hospitalization.
To characterize the early intensive care unit aftercare period, Kim and colleagues conducted a retrospective study of patients who transferred from a medical ICU to an acute medical unit. They found that the following practices and syndromes (with percentage affected) continued after transfer from the ICU:
Findings show that the complexity of ICU care continues after transfer to the acute medical unit. The authors emphasize the urgent need for engagement of non–critical care providers to improve the quality of patient care during early ICU aftercare.
See Article, pp 193-200
Survivors of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) can experience long-term problems such as physical limitations, cognitive impairment, and...