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  • More About PICS | PostICU, Inc. | United States

    PostICU, Inc. is a nonprofit agency founded to educate former ICU patients about post intensive care syndrome. Learn more about PostICU syndrome by visiting our website or calling 833.PostICU. MORE ABOUT PICS. Want to truly understand PICS through the eyes of a person experiencing it? Watch superb video. LOOKING AT PICS SYMPTOMS ICU-acquired weakness ICU-acquired weakness (ICUAW) is muscle weakness that develops during an ICU stay. This is a common problem of being critically ill and occurs in: 33% of all patients on ventilators 50% of all patients admitted with severe infection, which is known as sepsis Up to 50% of patients who stay in the ICU for at least one week Patients who develop ICUAW may take more than a year to recover fully. ICUAW makes the activities of daily living difficult, including grooming, dressing, feeding, bathing, and walking. ICUAW may greatly delay the patient from doing activities in the way he or she used to do them. Cognitive or brain dysfunction This refers to problems connected with remembering, paying attention, solving problems, and organizing and working on complex tasks. After leaving the ICU, 30% to 80% of patients may have these kinds of problems. Some people improve during the first year after discharge from the hospital; other people may never fully recover. Cognitive dysfunction may affect whether the patient can return to work, balance a checkbook, or perform other tasks that involve organization and concentration. Other mental health problems Critically ill patients may develop problems with falling or staying asleep. They may have nightmares and unwanted memories. Reminders of their illness may produce intense feelings or strong, clear images in their mind. Their reactions to these feelings may be physical or emotional. Patients may also feel depressed and anxious, and may have symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These include having nightmares and unwanted memories, feeling “keyed up,” and wanting to avoid thinking or talking about their stay in the ICU. PICS + RECOVERY TIME How Does PICS Affect Recovery? Up to 50% of patients may return to work within the first year, but some may not be able to return to the jobs they had before their illness. Patients may need help with activities after leaving the hospital. HOW CAN FAMILY HELP PICS SUFFERERS? What Can Family Do to Minimize PICS? If you are a family member, you may be able to minimize PICS by helping your critically ill family member stay “oriented”: Talk about familiar things, people, and events. Talk about the day, date, and time. Bring in favorite pictures and items from home. Read aloud at the bedside. You can also keep a diary or journal and later review it with the care team and your family member. This may help your family member understand what happened, clear up some memories, and reduce stress. Lastly, you can ask the care team to teach you how to help with your family member’s bedside exercises. Exercises prevent weakness by keeping the joints and muscles active. Patients should move their bodies as soon as they can and work with physical therapists, even while using a ventilator. Moving is also good for the brain. LOOKING AT PICS-F, AFFECTS ON FORMER ICU PATIENTS' FAMILIES How Does PICS Affect Family? Critical illness is a family crisis. Feeling worried and confused can cause family members to stop tending to their own health. The care team may ask the family to make decisions about important, sometimes overwhelming matters. Because of this, 30% of family members may experience their own mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD. How Can Family Lower Their Chances of Developing PICS? First and foremost, if you are a family member, take care of yourself. This cannot be stressed enough. Meeting your critically ill family member’s needs is a major part of care, but your needs are just as important. If you are well, you have the physical and emotional strength to support your family member and feel good about it. Eat well, get as much rest as possible, exercise, and seek support. The hospital has social workers, case managers, and pastoral caregivers who can help. Take time to understand your family member’s illness and treatment options. Having this information will help you make decisions, feel confident about the decisions you make, and reduce stress. Ask questions, ask to meet with the care team, and keep a journal. Review the journal with a member of the care team whom you trust to make sense of what has happened and how you are responding to it. These actions can help you and the care team recognize and respect your family member’s wishes, values, and preferences as much as possible. Participating in inpatient care is another way to support your family member and reduce stress. The bedside staff can suggest activities for those who want to be involved. WHAT TO DO POSTICU? If you are an ICU patient, the care team may diagnose you with PICS or determine you are at risk for developing it. They may refer you to other caregivers for support services after you leave the ICU. If not, these are possible warning signs: Muscle weakness or problems with balance Problems with thinking and memory Severe anxiety Depression Nightmares If you notice any of these problems, please ask your primary care doctor or caregiver to refer you to one of these specialists: Occupational therapist : A caregiver who helps the patient relearn life skills, such as the activities of daily living and the use of memory (for example, grooming, feeding, dressing, balancing a checkbook). Physiatrist : A medical doctor who is specially trained to diagnose and treat injuries to the muscles, bones, tissues and nervous system. The physiatrist can prescribe medication. He or she teaches patients exercises to improve what they can do and gives patients devices to help them adapt to what they cannot do. Physical therapist : A caregiver who helps restore the patient’s ability to function and be independent after injuries to the muscles, bones, tissues and nervous system. Psychiatrist : A medical doctor who is specially trained to diagnose and treat mental health problems. The psychiatrist can prescribe medication. Psychologist : An advanced degree professional who can diagnose and treat problems with thoughts, emotions and coping skills. The psychologist tests and assesses behavior and mental health. Speech therapist : A caregiver who helps the patient with problems related to memory, attention and swallowing. The speech therapist also helps the patient learn to speak again, if necessary. SCCM RECOMMENDED VIDEOS A Patient’s Perspective on Post-intensive Care Syndrome Video : This YouTube video, created by Johns Hopkins University, helps you understand how patients regain health after an ICU stay. The patient in the video is a 39-year-old man. He recalls his first year after intensive care, including his delayed return to work. He also describes health challenges that some patients face with their body, thoughts, feelings or mind during recovery after the ICU stay. These health issues, known as post-intensive care syndrome, or PICS, arise during the patients’ ICU stay. Being more informed about post-ICU health issues can help you talk to your doctor and nurse about them. Delirium in the ICU Video : This YouTube video, created by Johns Hopkins University, helps you understand the confused thinking, or delirium, that affects many patients during their stay in an ICU. The patient in the video is a 60-year-old woman who was admitted to the hospital with kidney problems. After her admission, she developed a severe infection and breathing problems. These problems required her to be in the ICU for 11 days on a machine that helped her breathe (mechanical ventilator). After one month in the hospital, she returned home. The patient recalls her delirium in the ICU and its effect on her. She describes the confusing, sometimes scary misperceptions and hallucinations that commonly occur. She also stresses the need to acknowledge these experiences, even though they were not real-life events. Finally, she suggests ways in which the family can help a patient during and after his or her delirium. After watching these videos, you may have questions or concerns about PICS and delirium. If so, talk to your doctor, nurse or care team. They know you best and can help you through these conditions. SCCM Publication Date: 2013 PostICU thanks the SCCM for the valuable information contained on this page, and the p age creators: Judy E. Davidson, RN, CNS, DNP, FCCM; Ramona O. Hopkins, PhD; Deborah Louis, RN, MSN; Theodore J. Iwashyna, MD, PhD

  • COVID-19 Resources | Post ICU | PICS

    Post-ICU, or post-intensive care syndrome (PICS), can present a range of challenges for individuals recovering from severe illness, including COVID-19. Here are some resources that can offer support and guidance: ICUsteps: ICUsteps is a support group run by and for intensive care patients and their families. They provide resources, support, and information to help those recovering from critical illness, including PICS. Their website offers valuable information and a forum for connecting.. Covid-19 Resources COVID-19_StopSpread_Wash_ENG_1200x675 COVID-19_StopSpread_Wash_ENG_1200x1200 314705-B_SM_COVID-19_Symptoms_MARCH213_1200x675px COVID-19_StopSpread_Wash_ENG_1200x675 1/16

  • PICS Quiz Results | Post ICU | PICS

    Assess your knowledge of post-ICU syndrome (PICS) with this engaging quiz and worksheet pair. Both materials can be used around-the-clock to check... PICS QUIZ - ANALYZING YOUR TEST RESULTS Thank you for taking this test, which is a modified version of a Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Test prepared by a psychologist on staff at PostICU, Inc. The test is based upon a review of PICS tests administered by several Post ICU Treatment Clinics as of January 2020. PLEASE DO NOT CONSIDER YOUR TEST RESULTS TO BE A DIAGNOSIS OR DEFINITIVE OF ANYTHING LIKE A DIAGNOSIS. THIS IS AN ASSESSMENT TOOL FOR YOU TO SHARE WITH YOUR CAREGIVER, FAMILY AND, PCP. ANALYZING YOUR POINT TOTALS : 2 to 8 Points = a SLIGHT possibility of a PICS diagnosis. 10 to 20 Points = a STRONG POSSIBILITY of a PICS diagnosis. 22 to 30 Points = a LIKELY diagnosis of PICS diagnosis. 32 or More Points = a STRONG LIKELIHOOD of PICS diagnosis. REMINDER, your results on this SELF-TEST are not a diagnosis of either having our not having PICS. This SELF-TEST is a helpful and instructive guide. "Only a doctor or qualified mental health professional can make a diagnosis of PICS." To further explore whether you may be a PICS sufferer, some things to consider include : ● Tell family members and/or caregivers about your symptoms so they can understand, support, and help you find appropriate medical treatments. ● Educate yourself about PICS so you can better understand what you are experiencing, you can find detailed research and other information at: www.posticu.org . ● Make an appointment with your primary care physician and bring your self-test results with you to the appointment, click here for a listing of PICS clinics. Click here for a list of PICS clinics. ● Contact PostICU, we can help you find the closest PICS clinic to your home. You can reach us toll-free at: 833.Post.ICU or via email at: help@posticu.org . ● Reach out and connect with other PICS survivors by joining our website: www.posticu.org . ● Click here, if you would like to read the PostICU disclaimers & disclosures. If you have any questions, please always feel free to reach out to the PostICU, Inc. Team, support@posticu.org .

  • Share COVID-19 Media | Post ICU | PICS

    COVID-19 & PICS | PostICU | Add your media and materials to our PICS library SHARE MATERIAL FOR POSTICU LIBRARY

  • Privacy Policy | Post ICU | PICS

    If you are an ICU patient or family member, this guide helps you understand the health problems known as post-intensive care syndrome, or PICS, so you know what ... Privacy Policy Your privacy is important to us. It is PostICU, Inc.'s policy to respect your privacy regarding any information we may collect from you across our website, http://posticu.org , and other sites we own and operate. Information We Collect: Log data When you visit our website, our servers may automatically log the standard data provided by your web browser. It may include your computer’s Internet Protocol (IP) address, your browser type and version, the pages you visit, the time and date of your visit, the time spent on each page, and other details. Device data We may also collect data about the device you’re using to access our website. This data may include the device type, operating system, unique device identifiers, device settings, and geo-location data. What we collect can depend on the individual settings of your device and software. We recommend checking the policies of your device manufacturer or software provider to learn what information they make available to us. Personal information We May Ask for Personal Information, Such as Your: Name Email Social media profiles Date of birth Phone/mobile number Home/Mailing address Work address Payment information . Legal Bases for Processing We will process your personal information lawfully, fairly, and in a transparent manner. We collect and process information about you only where we have legal bases for doing so. These legal bases depend on the services you use and how you use them, meaning we collect and use your information only where: it’s necessary for the performance of a contract to which you are a party or to take steps at your request before entering into such a contract (for example, when we provide a service you request from us); it satisfies a legitimate interest (which is not overridden by your data protection interests), such as for research and development, to market and promote our services, and to protect our legal rights and interests; you give us consent to do so for a specific purpose (for example, you might consent to us sending you our newsletter); or we need to process your data to comply with a legal obligation. Where you consent to our use of information about you for a specific purpose, you have the right to change your mind at any time (but this will not affect any processing that has already taken place). We don’t keep personal information for longer than is necessary. While we retain this information, we will protect it within commercially acceptable means to prevent loss and theft, as well as unauthorized access, disclosure, copying, use or modification. That said, we advise that no method of electronic transmission or storage is 100% secure and cannot guarantee absolute data security. If necessary, we may retain your personal information for our compliance with a legal obligation or in order to protect your vital interests or the vital interests of another natural person. Collection and Use of Information. We May Collect, Hold, Use, and Disclose Information for the Following Purposes and Personal Information will not be further Processed in a Manner that is Incompatible with These Purposes: to enable you to customize or personalize your experience of our website;to enable you to access and use our website, associated applications and associated social media platforms; to contact and communicate with you;for internal record keeping and administrative purposes; for analytics, market research and business development, including to operate and improve our website, associated applications and associated social media platforms; to run competitions and/or offer additional benefits to you; for advertising and marketing, including to send you promotional information about our products and services and information about third parties that we consider may be of interest to you; to comply with our legal obligations and resolve any disputes that we may have; and to consider your employment application. Disclosure of Personal Information to Third Parties. We may Disclose Personal Information to: third party service providers for the purpose of enabling them to provide their services, including (without limitation) IT service providers, data storage, hosting and server providers, ad networks, analytics, error loggers, debt collectors, maintenance or problem-solving providers, marketing or advertising providers, professional advisors and payment systems operators; our employees, contractors and/or related entities;sponsors or promoters of any competition we run; credit reporting agencies, courts, tribunals and regulatory authorities, in the event you fail to pay for goods or services we have provided to you;courts, tribunals, regulatory authorities and law enforcement officers, as required by law, in connection with any actual or prospective legal proceedings, or in order to establish, exercise or defend our legal rights;third parties, including agents or sub-contractors, who assist us in providing information, products, services or direct marketing to you; and, third parties to collect and process data. International Transfers of Personal Information The personal information we collect is stored and processed in the United States, or where we or our partners, affiliates and third-party providers maintain facilities. By providing us with your personal information, you consent to the disclosure to these overseas third parties. We will ensure that any transfer of personal information from countries in the European Economic Area (EEA) to countries outside the EEA will be protected by appropriate safeguards, for example by using standard data protection clauses approved by the European Commission, or the use of binding corporate rules or other legally accepted means. Where we transfer personal information from a non-EEA country to another country, you acknowledge that third parties in other jurisdictions may not be subject to similar data protection laws to the ones in our jurisdiction. There are risks if any such third party engages in any act or practice that would contravene the data privacy laws in our jurisdiction and this might mean that you will not be able to seek redress under our jurisdiction’s privacy laws. Your Rights and Controlling Your Personal Information Choice and Consent: By providing personal information to us, you consent to us collecting, holding, using and disclosing your personal information in accordance with this privacy policy. If you are under 16 years of age, you must have, and warrant to the extent permitted by law to us, that you have your parent or legal guardian’s permission to access and use the website and they (your parents or guardian) have consented to you providing us with your personal information. You do not have to provide personal information to us, however, if you do not, it may affect your use of this website or the products and/or services offered on or through it. Information from third parties: If we receive personal information about you from a third party, we will protect it as set out in this privacy policy. If you are a third party providing personal information about somebody else, you represent and warrant that you have such person’s consent to provide the personal information to us. Restrict: You may choose to restrict the collection or use of your personal information. If you have previously agreed to us using your personal information for direct marketing purposes, you may change your mind at any time by contacting us using the details below. If you ask us to restrict or limit how we process your personal information, we will let you know how the restriction affects your use of our website or products and services. Access and Data Portability: You may request details of the personal information that we hold about you. You may request a copy of the personal information we hold about you. Where possible, we will provide this information in CSV format or another easily readable machine format. You may request that we erase the personal information we hold about you at any time. You may also request that we transfer this personal information to another third party. Correction: If you believe that any information we hold about you is inaccurate, out of date, incomplete, irrelevant or misleading, please contact us using the details below. We will take reasonable steps to correct any information found to be inaccurate, incomplete, misleading or out of date. Notification of data breaches: We will comply with laws applicable to us in respect of any data breach. Complaints: If you believe that we have breached a relevant data protection law and wish to make a complaint, please contact us using the details below and provide us with full details of the alleged breach. We will promptly investigate your complaint and respond to you, in writing, setting out the outcome of our investigation and the steps we will take to deal with your complaint. You also have the right to contact a regulatory body or data protection authority in relation to your complaint. Unsubscribe: To unsubscribe from our e-mail database or opt-out of communications (including marketing communications), please contact us using the details below or opt-out using the opt-out facilities provided in the communication. Cookies We use “cookies” to collect information about you and your activity across our site. A cookie is a small piece of data that our website stores on your computer, and accesses each time you visit, so we can understand how you use our site. This helps us serve you content based on preferences you have specified. Please refer to our Cookie Policy for more information. Limits of our Policy Our website may link to external sites that are not operated by us. Please be aware that we have no control over the content and policies of those sites, and cannot accept responsibility or liability for their respective privacy practices. Changes to this Policy At our discretion, we may change our privacy policy to reflect current acceptable practices. We will take reasonable steps to let users know about changes via our website. Your continued use of this site after any changes to this policy will be regarded as acceptance of our practices around privacy and personal information. If we make a significant change to this privacy policy, for example changing a lawful basis on which we process your personal information, we will ask you to re-consent to the amended privacy policy. PostICU, Inc. Data Protection Officer Rob Rainer rob@posticu.org This policy is effective as of July 1, 2020 Last update November 13, 2020

  • COVID-19 & PICS | PostICU | Index | United States

    COVID-19 & PICS | PostICU | Index | United States. Access all library materials. PICS + COVID-19 Library Index Name of Media Type of media Description of Media Link to Media Physical therapists can aid COVID-19 patients’ recovery after ICU Magazine Article At least half of all patients who survive treatment in an intensive care unit will experience at least one of a triad of problems associated with post-intensive care syndrome, or PICS, and this may be true for people recovering from COVID-19 following ICU care. PICS can manifest as problems with physical function, cognition and mental health, according to a fact sheet from the American Thoracic Society. PICS is a relatively under-recognized issue, despite the fact that it affects a large number of people treated in an ICU, according to Patricia Ohtake, associate professor in the physical therapy program, School of Public Health and Health Professions. https://drive.google.com/open?id=1xV453akPmhFZ-MuSpvJ1L9wTNDwE53uD PICS (Post-ICU Syndrome): A Serious Challenge for COVID-19 Survivors Magazine Article Even healthcare professionals may not be aware and prepared for a condition called Post-ICU Syndrome (PICS) that can occur in the aftermath of COVID-19. What about those who were hospitalized for COVID-19, treated in ICU, and are unaware of the possible long-term impact and rehabilitation phase? There is a tendency to think that once the patient is discharged from the hospital, has tested negative, and looks well, the problem is resolved. However, the struggle of COVID-19 survivors and family members or caregivers may not end there. https://drive.google.com/open?id=1GIbrcjw64F74Aqz-DpfPkc2r80iHyfft Post- intensive Care Syndrome-what SNFs need to know Magazine Article The COVID-19 patients may be flooding some hospital systems across our nation presently. However, the reality is they will soon need post-acute rehabilitative care, and we as care providers need to be ready to serve them. Our acute-care counterparts are working tirelessly on improved care and survival rates while also initiating the recovery process. As a result, many post-acute care providers are left asking themselves the following questions: “What is the best practice for treating the COVID-19 patient?” “What are the long-term impacts of the disease?” “What is length of stay of the recovery process going to look like?” https://drive.google.com/open?id=193A0y7KtWV6-D3CJmfQf2e_UFfUm5M1J Post-Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS) One-Pager The Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of a hospital is where very sick patients are treated, and are are sometimes put on a ventilator, or breathing machine, to survive. The illness or injury, and even the treatments you received in the hospital while in the ICU, can often cause health problems that exist long after you have returned home. Recognize the signs and seek help as soon as you can so you can make a more complete recovery. Ask your medical provider if you need guidance finding specialized professionals who can help https://drive.google.com/open?id=1I_EiWYi7UMmrlPAZuio-fXGJGbw72uVv Page 1 of 18 PostICU Library Policy & Compliance Statement PostICU, Inc's library staff reviewed this copyrighted material contained in the library and reasonably believes that its inclusion in our library complies with the "Fair Use Doctrine" because: (1) our library's is for nonprofit and educational purposes; (2) the nature of the copyrighted work is related to our mission; (3) the amount and substantiality of the portion used in relation to the copyrighted work as a whole is fair and reasonable; and (4) the potential market for or value of the copyrighted work will if impacted, should be enhanced, by its presence in our library.

  • Ask Our Experts | PICS Experts | PostICU, Inc.

    Ask our PICS experts any questions about Post Intensive Care Syndrome. At PostICU Inc. we have expert panelists that can answer your questions about PICS. Ask Our PostICU Expert Panelists POSTICU IS VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE TWO EXPERT PANELISTS, WHO ARE INTERNATIONALLY RENOWNED FOR THEIR PICS RESEARCH & TREATMENT Select an Expert Submit Thanks for submitting your question. Our Experts select a couple of questions to answer once a month. We will post answers on this page and notify you by email as well. Dr. Gerard Weinhouse Brigham & Women's Hospital Medical Director, Respiratory Care Services Pulmonary and Critical Care Harvard Medical School Instructor American Board of Internal Medicine Board Certification, Critical Care Medicine, 1995 Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania Fellowship, Pulmonary Disease, 1995 American Board of Internal Medicine Board Certification, Pulmonary Disease, 1994 Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania Fellowship, Pulmonary Disease, 1994 Boston Medical Center Fellowship, Pulmonary Disease, 1991 Boston University School of Medicine Fellowship, Pulmonary Disease, 1991 American Board of Internal Medicine Board Certification, Internal Medicine, 1990 Boston Medical Center Residency, Internal Medicine, 1989 University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey Medical School, 1986 Learn more about Dr. Weinhouse Dr. Daniela Lamas Brigham & Women's Hospital Critical Care Physician Pulmonary Critical Care Harvard Medical School Instructor Harvard University Fellowship, Pulmonary Disease, 2016 American Board of Internal Medicine Board Certification, Critical Care Medicine, 2015 American Board of Internal Medicine Board Certification, Pulmonary Disease, 2014 American Board of Internal Medicine Board Certification, Internal Medicine, 2012 New England Journal of Medicine Fellowship, 2012 NY Presbyterian Columbia Campus Residency, Internal Medicine, 2011 New York-Presbyterian University Hospital of Columbia and Cornell Residency, Internal Medicine, 2011 Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons Medical School, 2008 Massachusetts General Hospital Fellowship, Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine Massachusetts General Hospital Fellowship New York-Presbyterian University Hospital of Columbia and Cornell Residency Learn more about Dr. Lamas

  • Library Criteria | Post ICU | PICS

    If you are an ICU patient or family member, this guide helps you understand the health problems known as post-intensive care syndrome, or PICS, so you know what ... POSTICU'S LIBRARY INFORMATION The PostICU is a work in progress. We are collecting media related to Post Intensive Care Syndrome from all available resources. To make the library easier to search, we have setup a few categories for Advanced Search. Search by Media Type Newspaper Articles Magazine Articles Videos Charts Diagrams Medical Research PowerPoint Testimonials Medical Journals Statistical Analyses Brochures One-Pagers Medical Professional Education Search by Who is the Media Created for Former ICU Patients, Their Families & Caregivers Nurses & Other Critical Care Professionals Critical Care Physicians Medical Researchers General Medical Professionals General Public Search Media Related to COVID-19 as Designated by the Authors Yes No * This designation does not mean that the media does not relate to COVID-19, rather this designation is as stated by the authors of the media. For our library to continue to grow, and become a go to resource for anyone interested in learning about Post Intensive Care Syndrome, we invite everyone to submit media that is missing from our library.

  • About PostICU - Post Intensive Care Syndrome - Our Mission

    Learn more about post-intensive care syndrome. Visit the PostICU, Inc Library. Submit your PICS story. Read other people's stories about PostICU syndrome. Find out PostICU's Mission. About PostICU - Post-Intensive Care Syndrome Our Recommendatons POSTICU'S MISSION We stand as the only patient-built advocacy and information 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation. As we move through uncharted waters as nonmedical professionals in a technical world, we hope to grow our ranks, so that we become positioned to advocate on behalf of future ICU patients. PostICU is a division of North American Help Services Alliance, Inc. View our Gold Star rating with GuideStar . OUR PRIMARY MISSIONS IS TO: Provide resources to the public to educate them about PICS and PICS-F; and, Advocate for testing, staging, and treatment of all former ICU patients that are in danger of experiencing PICS. As we grow our ranks, we carry more clout, allowing us as a group to make recommendations to the critical care medical community and insurance companies about ways to improve the likely outcome for most patients who spend time in an ICU. One would be hard-pressed to find medical professionals that would contradict our mission with regards to our core recommendations for changes to the way ICU patients are treated. Of course, our recommendations are tempered by our appreciation of the fact that we are not medical professionals. That is why our core recommendations stretch no further than what commonsense dictates. POSTICU'S COMMONSENSE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE CRITICAL CARE COMMUNITY ICU patients, their caregivers, and/or family members, as part of their discharge hospital, should be briefed about PICS, PICS-F and PICS symptoms to be aware of. Because it Is more likely than not that they will suffer from one or more of these symptoms. A discharging hospital should assign to all former ICU patients, a PICS specialist, well-versed in PICS medical care, with whom an appointment is scheduled as part of the discharge process. At the follow-up appointment, the PICS Specialists should evaluate former ICU patients to determine whether they are experiencing PICS related symptoms, and if so to what degree. PICS diagnoses should be staged, to assist in determining the severity of former ICU patients' conditions, and to help with the establishment of treatment protocols. For more complex PICS staging, PICS Specialists should convene a multi-disciplinary team of medical professionals, based upon the former ICU patients' needs. The PICS Specialist should lead the group and follow-up with patients' teams and patients, to ensure that recommended testing and treatment occurs. Health Insurance carriers, Medicaid, and Medicare should accept responsibility for payment of all testing and medical care that is recommended by PICS Specialists. POSTICU COMMONSENSE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE CRITICAL CARE COMMUNITY PostICU 501(c)3 Approval Definition of PICS WHAT IS PICS? Post-intensive care syndrome, or PICS, is made up of health problems that remain after critical illness. They are present when the patient is in the ICU and may persist after the patient returns home. These problems can involve the patient's body, thoughts, feelings, or mind and may affect the family. PICS may show up as an easily noticed drawn-out muscle weakness, known as ICU-acquired weakness; as problems with thinking and judgment, called cognitive (brain) dysfunction; and as other mental health problems. ICU-Acquired Weakness ICU-acquired weakness (ICUAW) is muscle weakness that develops during an ICU stay. This is a common problem of being critically ill and occurs in: 33% of all patients on ventilators 50% of all patients admitted with severe infection, which is known as sepsis Up to 50% of patients who stay in the ICU for at least one week Patients who develop ICUAW may take more than a year to recover fully. ICUAW makes the activities of daily living difficult, including grooming, dressing, feeding, bathing, and walking. ICUAW may greatly delay the patient from doing activities in the way he or she used to do them. Cognitive or Brain Dysfunction This refers to problems connected with remembering, paying attention, solving problems, and organizing and working on complex tasks. After leaving the ICU, 30% to 80% of patients may have these kinds of problems. Some people improve during the first year after discharge from the hospital; other people may never fully recover. Cognitive dysfunction may affect whether the patient can return to work, balance a checkbook, or perform other tasks that involve organization and concentration. Other Mental Health Problems Critically ill patients may develop problems with falling or staying asleep. They may have nightmares and unwanted memories. Reminders of their illness may produce intense feelings or strong, clear images in their mind. Their reactions to these feelings may be physical or emotional. Patients may also feel depressed and anxious, and may have symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These include having nightmares and unwanted memories, feeling “keyed up,” and wanting to avoid thinking or talking about their stay in the ICU. After Leaving the ICU If you are an ICU patient, the care team may diagnose you with PICS or determine you are at risk for developing it. They may refer you to other caregivers for support services after you leave the ICU. If not, these are possible warning signs: Muscle weakness or problems with balance Problems with thinking and memory Severe anxiety Depression Nightmares Other PostICU Resources HOW DOES PICS AFFECT PEOPLE'S LIVES? How Does PICS Affect Recovery? Up to 50% of patients may return to work within the first year, but some may not be able to return to the jobs they had before their illness. Patients may need help with activities after leaving the hospital. What Can Family Do to Minimize PICS? If you are a family member, you may be able to minimize PICS by helping your critically ill family member stay “oriented”: Talk about familiar things, people, and events. Talk about the day, date, and time. Bring in favorite pictures and items from home. Read aloud at the bedside. You can also keep a diary or journal and later review it with the care team and your family member. This may help your family member understand what happened, clear up some memories, and reduce stress. Lastly, you can ask the care team to teach you how to help with your family member’s bedside exercises. Exercises prevent weakness by keeping the joints and muscles active. Patients should move their bodies as soon as they can and work with physical therapists, even while using a ventilator. Moving is also good for the brain. How Does PICS Affect Family? Critical illness is a family crisis. Feeling worried and confused can cause family members to stop tending to their own health. The care team may ask the family to make decisions about important, sometimes overwhelming matters. Because of this, 30% of family members may experience their own mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD. How Can Family Lower Their Chances of Developing PICS? First and foremost, if you are a family member, take care of yourself. This cannot be stressed enough. Meeting your critically ill family member’s needs is a major part of care, but your needs are just as important. If you are well, you have the physical and emotional strength to support your family member and feel good about it. Eat well, get as much rest as possible, exercise, and seek support. The hospital has social workers, case managers, and pastoral caregivers who can help. Take time to understand your family member’s illness and treatment options. Having this information will help you make decisions, feel confident about the decisions you make, and reduce stress. Ask questions, ask to meet with the care team, and keep a journal. Review the journal with a member of the care team whom you trust to make sense of what has happened and how you are responding to it. These actions can help you and the care team recognize and respect your family member’s wishes, values, and preferences as much as possible. Participating in inpatient care is another way to support your family member and reduce stress. The bedside staff can suggest activities for those who want to be involved. Click Here to Learn More About PICS & PICS-F The Society of Critical Care Medicine ("SCCM") features a tremendous amount of information about PICS on its website. They also have produced a series of articles designed to explain PICS to lay-people. SCCM defines PICS as follows: SCCM DEFINES PICS AS: Post-intensive care syndrome, or PICS, is made up of health problems that remain after critical illness. They are present when the patient is in the ICU and may persist after the patient returns home. These problems can involve the patient's body, thoughts, feelings, or mind and may affect the family. PICS may show up as an easily noticed drawn-out muscle weakness, known as ICU-acquired weakness; as problems with thinking and judgment, called cognitive (brain) dysfunction; and as other mental health problems. SCCM Explains PICS SCCM Explains PICS Spanish Version

  • PostIntensiveCareSyndromeLibrary

    PostICU Library Index Name of Article, Video, Media, Etc. Type of media to be added COVID-19 Related Short Description of Media Joe and me Medical Research No Care of Critically Ill Patients With COVID-19 Medical Professional Education Yes Clinic aims to give surviving COVID-19 patients the post-ICU care they need Newspaper Article Yes Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients Are at High Risk of Post–Intensive Care Syndrome One-Pager Yes Post-Intensive Care Syndrome: What COVID-19 Survivors Could Face after Hospitalization One-Pager Yes COVID-19 patients are experiencing post-intensive care syndrome while adjusting to post-pandemic living Newspaper Article Yes Post-Intensive Care Syndrome After Coronavirus: What You Should Know Newspaper Article Yes Post-ICU Care for COVID Recovery Magazine Article Yes Post-COVID Conditions: Information for Healthcare Providers Medical Professional Education Yes Prevent Post-Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS) during COVID-19 Magazine Article Yes Page 1 of 208

  • PostIntensiveCareSyndromeLibrary

    PostICU Library Index Name of Article, Video, Media, Etc. Type of media to be added COVID-19 Related Short Description of Media Joe and me Medical Research No Care of Critically Ill Patients With COVID-19 Medical Professional Education Yes Clinic aims to give surviving COVID-19 patients the post-ICU care they need Newspaper Article Yes Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients Are at High Risk of Post–Intensive Care Syndrome One-Pager Yes Post-Intensive Care Syndrome: What COVID-19 Survivors Could Face after Hospitalization One-Pager Yes COVID-19 patients are experiencing post-intensive care syndrome while adjusting to post-pandemic living Newspaper Article Yes Post-Intensive Care Syndrome After Coronavirus: What You Should Know Newspaper Article Yes Post-ICU Care for COVID Recovery Magazine Article Yes Post-COVID Conditions: Information for Healthcare Providers Medical Professional Education Yes Prevent Post-Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS) during COVID-19 Magazine Article Yes Page 1 of 208

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