Despite caring for the sickest patients in the hospital, critical care teams have seen significant improvements in rates for mortality, sepsis and a host of other measures. For example, mortality among patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome has decreased from about 40 percent to 28 percent, and septic shock mortality has decreased from 33 percent to 18 percent.

However, despite these impressive reductions in mortality, ICU care frequently leaves patients feeling weak, confused, possibly depressed and with PTSD, and with a long road to recovery. During the past decade, more attention has been directed to recognizing and preventing symptoms that have come to be recognized as “post-intensive care unit syndrome.”

Did you know, you don’t have to be “living” dangerously, to get PTSD ? A stint in an ICU, can bring on the condition, impeding your recovery long term

This article contains key information on assisting family members survive when a loved one is in the intensive care unit. Communication, decision making, multi-disciplinary meetings, pain/comfort, and sleep are discussed. Hopefully, knowing this information will help you and your loved one have a positive experience and survive your time in the ICU.