Life After the ICU: Post-intensive Care Syndrome in Family Members

Abstract

Family members of critically ill patients experience both acute and long-term psychological distress as a result of their loved one’s stay in an intensive care unit (ICU). The post-intensive care syndrome-family (PICS-F) describes this psychological morbidity, occurring in approximately 25–50% of family members of ICU patients. Psychological morbidity may manifest as anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, sleep disturbance, and complicated grief. A growing body of evidence supports measures taken during the ICU stay to mitigate these symptoms, including the use of family educational materials, formalized family meetings and enhanced team communication, the ICU diary, family engagement on rounds, and family presence during cardiopulmonary resuscitation and invasive procedures. Following an ICU stay, family members may benefit from ICU follow-up clinics and support groups. Providers may reduce the risk of psychological morbidity among the families of ICU patients through understanding and implementation of the interventions discussed throughout this chapter.