Brief description of media:

The long-term effects of surviving COVID-19 have become a new focus of attention for clinicians and researchers. This focus has been driven partly by concerns about late ill-effects of a previously unknown virus but recognized generic patterns of chronic disease after critical illness also exist. These patterns are termed PICS, an acronym both for post-intensive care syndrome and for persistent inflammation, immunosuppression, and catabolism syndrome. We recommend unifying post-COVID-19 research aims with those of PICS research and propose a novel approach to its management by repurposing drugs that are approved, inexpensive, and safe.

Brief description of media:

The long-term effects of surviving COVID-19 have become a new focus of attention for clinicians and researchers. This focus has been driven partly by concerns about late ill-effects of a previously unknown virus but recognized generic patterns of chronic disease after critical illness also exist. These patterns are termed PICS, an acronym both for post-intensive care syndrome and for persistent inflammation, immunosuppression, and catabolism syndrome. We recommend unifying post COVID-19 research aims with those of PICS research and propose a novel approach to its management by repurposing drugs that are approved, inexpensive, and safe.

Brief description of media:

The long-term effects of surviving COVID-19 have become a new focus of attention for clinicians and researchers. This focus has been driven partly by concerns about late ill-effects of a previously unknown virus but recognized generic patterns of chronic disease after critical illness also exist. These patterns are termed PICS, an acronym both for post-intensive care syndrome and for persistent inflammation, immune suppression, and catabolism syndrome. We recommend unifying post-COVID-19 research aims with those of PICS research and propose a novel approach to its management by repurposing drugs that are approved, inexpensive, and safe.

Brief description of media:

The long-term effects of surviving COVID-19 have become a new focus of attention for clinicians and researchers. This focus has been driven partly by concerns about late ill-effects of a previously unknown virus but recognized generic patterns of chronic disease after critical illness also exist. These patterns are termed PICS, an acronym both for post-intensive care syndrome and for persistent inflammation, immunosuppression, and catabolism syndrome. We recommend unifying post-COVID-19 research aims with those of PICS research and propose a novel approach to its management by repurposing drugs that are approved, inexpensive, and safe.

Brief description of media:

“Mrs. Croft, I truly regret that I’m calling you about a covid-19 research program only an hour after your husband, John, died of his coronavirus infection. None of us know what you are feeling, and we want you to know how immensely sorry we are for all that you and your family are going through. It’s just that the whole world is trying to grapple with this pandemic, and we are trying to understand what the virus is doing to the brain, since so many people are presenting with an inability to smell, confusion and strokes. I am calling to see if you might consider a priceless gift to the world so we can learn and hopefully help others: We are studying the brain in those who die of covid, and I’d like to talk with you about the possibility of donating John’s brain to our NIH-funded scientific research program.”

As a physician-scientist, I have spent 30 years at the bedside of my patients and their families. There is no place I’d rather be, but I wouldn’t have stayed here for so long without the research part. Alongside 90 others in Vanderbilt’s Critical Illness, Brain Dysfunction and Survivorship (CIBS) Center, I now study covid-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. The pandemic is different: tough, inspiring, and exasperating all at once. Answering questions to help reduce human suffering is what we do. Attempts to flatten the curve have shuttered our existing projects and catapulted us into new work and international collaborations in what seemed like one day. And then almost as quickly this month, we were immersed in disparities. The pandemic has amplified elements of the everyday disadvantages that millions face, and it’s obvious to all of us that it’s not fair or just.

Brief description of media:

The emergence of coronavirus diseases (COVID-19) has presented a global health threat. The number of COVID-19 cases continues to increase in Africa; this poses a challenge to the African healthcare system, particularly the intensive care unit(ICU). More so, individuals with severe COVID-19 would often have a prolonged intensive care stay, requiring mechanical ventilation and sedation and this may increase their risk of developing physical, cognitive, and psychosocial impairments.

These post-ICU sequelae of morbidities have been termed Post Intensive Care Syndrome. The African healthcare system needs to be prepared to manage the adverse effects of Post Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS) largely characterized by a decline in functional capacity and health-related quality of life. It is thus expedient that multi-targeted measures such as early rehabilitation, adequate screening, patient/caregiver education and post-discharge rehabilitation be adopted to combat imminent poor health outcomes in COVID-19 survivors. In this editorial, we provided a brief review of PICS and highlighted strategies for preventing and managing PICS in the critically ill within the African context Key words: Pandemic, COVID-19 Survivors, African healthcare, Intensive Care Unit, Rehabilitation.

Brief description of media:

Advances in intensive care unit (ICU) treatments have increased the number of survivors who require specialized care for ICU-related sequelae. ICU survivor follow-up clinics exist yet little is known about the nature and impact of interventions provided in such clinics. A scoping review of publications about in-person post-ICU follow-up care was undertaken.

Brief description of media:

The power point main points:
• PICS is a big deal for patients and families, and it does not go away as soon as they leave the ICU.
• Awareness and advocacy are crucial.
• PICS is going to be an on-going research point in the next decade, with several large RCT’s and clinical practice guidelines in review process to be published.
• *Survival by itself is not a patient-centered endpoint*
• From a hospital metrics and bench-marking standpoint, surviving an ICU admission is typically where the data collection ends.

Brief description of media:

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to unprecedented expansion of and challenge to our critical care services. Undoubtedly, this will require significant planning and re-structuring of dietetic services to ensure that we are able to provide a safe and effective service during this time.

This document has been developed by members from the Critical Care Dietitians Specialist Group (CCSG) of the British Dietetic Association taking into account current recommendations for planning and local experiences to date. In the absence of evidence-based guidance in this area, we have drawn upon the experiences and knowledge obtained from those already working with critically ill patients with COVID-19, including our international colleagues.

Brief description of media:

As a result of the current global health crisis, many more people than usual are having serious medical experiences. These include admissions to hospital with breathing difficulties, or transfers to critical care (intensive care) units. A significant proportion of these people will go on to develop symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Brief description of media:

This powerpoint briefly introduced the website named criticalcarerecovery.com.

Brief description of media:

More than a decade ago, Meredith Mealer embarked on research that has only increased in relevance with the passing years. The study focused on the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among survivors of acute respiratory distress syndrome, a devastating lung disorder. Mealer, PhD, RN, was then a research coordinator, working on the study with Marc Moss, MD, a pulmonary/critical care physician leading the effort. As Mealer paged through the symptoms patients and families reported – nightmares, high stress, emotional numbing, anxiety attacks – some struck her close to home. Prior to shifting her focus to clinical research, Mealer had been an intensive care unit nurse.