Abstract
Intensive care is medical care for critically ill patients. Over the last 20 years more attention has been drawn to studying long-term outcome after intensive care. This article is based on data from the authors' systematic follow up of ICU (intensive care unit) patients and literature identified through non-systematic searches in PubMed. In Norway more than 80 % of ICU patients survive the hospital stay. From about two years after intensive care and onwards, the overall survival rate parallels that of the total population. Pre-admission data show that ICU patients in general have more co-morbidity and reduction of life quality and functional status than the normal population. Their quality of life increases with time, and most patients become independent of others. Many ICU patients have rehabilitation potential despite critical illness and comorbidity and most of the long-term survivors achieve acceptable quality of life. ICU patients are a heterogeneous group with great variation in short and long-term outcome. Organization of intensive care should include follow-up after hospital discharge.
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