Post-Intensive Care Syndrome.

Abstract

Have you ever thought about what happens to your patients after they are transferred from the intensive care unit (ICU) home or to a new unit or long-term acute care hospital? Most of us are too busy to really contemplate how patients are feeling or reacting to their time in our care. We know the patient has survived, and that gives us peace. Wang et al, however, report that 50% to 70% of ICU survivors develop post–intensive care syndrome (PICS), which is defined as newly acquired or progressively worsening cognitive, mental health, and physical functioning. With current stressors compounded by a pandemic, our outpatient care is even more fragmented and postdischarge follow-up is sharply limited. Early detection of PICS can be crucial for timely referrals. One way we can enable timely referrals is through the use of telehealth and screening tools for caregivers such as Healthy Aging Brain Care Monitor Caregiver Report (HABC-MCG), which asks caregivers to report on symptoms in the primary care setting. Now, more than ever, we must push to improve continuity of care between ICUs, rehabilitation/nursing facilities, and home.