Photo: Frank Muller (www.zorginbeeld.nl)

Half of the former ICU patients still dealing with problems one year after ICU admission

More and more patients survive an intensive care unit (ICU) admission. However, this study shows that half of the former ICU patients suffer from new physical, mental and, or cognitive problems one year after ICU admission.

Many ICU patients already have serious problems with their physical, mental and cognitive health before ICU admission

The patient's health status appears to be an important predictor of quality of life after ICU admission. The health status of ICU patients before admission to the ICU is unknown. This study shows that many patients already have health problems before admission, such as fatigue (65% of ICU patients), mental problems (28%) and a feeling of vulnerability (13%).

Photo: Frank Muller (www.zorginbeeld.nl)

Photo: Marcel Rekers (www.fotograafrekers.nl)

An ICU admission also causes problems in the family of former ICU patients

Family (informal caregivers) of former ICU patients experience various health problems as a result of the ICU admission of their loved one. This can persist even years after admission. Post ICU care during the recovery period after hospital discharge should therefore not be limited to the ICU patient, but their loved ones should also be involved in the recovery process.

1 in 3 former ICU patients experience deterioration in frailty one year after ICU admission

Frailty is characterized by a combination of different deficiencies in the body. Vulnerable patients are more susceptible to infections and are more likely to be hospitalized than non-vulnerable patients. The extent to which frailty changes in patients after admission and what factors influence this frailty, is important in identifying at-risk patients entering the ICU ad aid in treatment and recovery.

Stockphoto Radboudumc

Photo: Marcel Rekers (www.fotograafrekers.nl)

Exerciseprograms for physical recovery and diaries reduce symptoms after ICU admission

Many former ICU patients suffer from post intensive care syndrome (PICS). We systematically searched for effective interventions aiming to prevent or reduce PICS. This resulted to this overview article describing interventions that can be applied relatively easily, such as keeping an diary and exercising. Both interventions can positively impact the mental health of former ICU patients.

The aim and design of the MONITOR-IC study; a study protocol

The quality of ICU care has improved significantly, resulting in more and more patients that survive after ICU admission. However, many former ICU patients suffer from long-term problems also called post-intensive care syndrome (PICS). With the MONITOR-IC study we explore how often and to what extend PICS occurs and what the impact is for patients, their loved ones. These studies will be conducted by using various research methods and building a database (MONITOR-IC) with patient reported outcomes of thousands of ICU patients.

Photo: Marcel Rekers (www.fotograafrekers.nl)