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The present systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to synthesize data on subject outcomes associated with post-ICU follow-up.

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Aim: To determine the symptoms seen in patients after discharge from an intensive care unit (ICU) and the follow-up programmes offered to help patients deal with the problems that arise after an ICU stay.

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Many people who have been critically ill in the intensive care unit are invited to attend follow-up clinics, as out-patients, when they are recovering at home. They will be seen either by the ICU follow-up team or by the doctors specialising in their particular condition. The aims of ICU follow-up include providing support and guidance for those people who have had an extended stay in intensive care, often over a week. Medical, nursing and psychology support may be offered for up to a year after hospital discharge where appropriate.

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The paediatric early versus late parenteral nutrition in critical illness (PEPaNIC) multicentre, randomised, controlled trial showed that, compared with early parenteral nutrition, withholding supplemental parenteral nutrition for 1 week in the paediatric intensive care unit (PICU; late parenteral nutrition) reduced infections and accelerated recovery from critical illness in children. We aimed to investigate the long-term impact on physical and neurocognitive development of early versus late parenteral nutrition.

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Newborn screening for sickle cell disease was fully implemented throughout England in 2006. Data received from the 13 newborn screening laboratories in England show 666,060 babies were screened in 2007/08via the blood spot card. Of these,359 were identified with significant sickle cell conditions requiring follow up and treatment.During the same time period 9,452 babies were identified as carriers of haemoglobin variants and 3,725 babies received a blood transfusion prior to screening.1Theoutstanding area of grave concern in newborn screening for sickle cell relates to the possibility of babies being undiagnosed as having sickle cell disease,due to having a blood transfusion prior to a blood spot sample being taken. These babies do not have a valid sickle cell screen result. Currently,the Guidelines for Newborn Blood spot Testing recommend taking one blood spot prior to transfusion.2Alternatively, if this is not carried out,the recommendation is for repeat testing at 4 months post last blood transfusion using a liquid sample of blood.However this is challenging as it is a difficult, costly and very time consuming process for primary care and specialist counselling staff to administer. For babies that have multiple transfusions,the repeat testing policy could result in a considerable delay in being tested for sickle cell disease with the potential risk of missing a baby with the condition. The difficulties with the repeat testing process are well highlighted by audit data from Sheffield Children‟s Hospital which showed that only 3 babies out of 24 were retested in a timely manner following transfusion.3At King‟s College Hospital,4over an 18 month period,347 requests for follow up of transfused babies were sent out. Of these,252 samples should have been returned to the laboratory(excluding deaths; non-transfused babies; out of area babies and 12 already re-screened), but only 71repeatsamples were completed-28% of the expected number.

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At the time of discharge home, parents of preterm infants in the neonatal intensive care unit often feel apprehensive and may question their ability to care for their baby. The well-planned, comprehensive discharge of a medically stable infant helps to ensure a positive transition to home and safe, effective care after discharge. This statement provides guidance in planning discharge of infants born before 34 weeks’ gestational age from tertiary and community settings. Discharge readiness is usually determined by demonstration of functional maturation, including the physiological competencies of thermoregulation, control of breathing, respiratory stability, and feeding skills and weight gain. Supporting family involvement and providing education from the time of admission improve parental confidence and decrease anxiety. Assessing the physical and psychosocial discharge environment is an important part of the discharge process. The clinical team is responsible for ensuring that appropriate investigations and screening tests have been completed, that medical concerns have been resolved and that a follow-up plan is in place at the time of discharge home.

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An ongoing outbreak of lung injury associated with e-cigarettes or vaping (also known as E-VALI or VALI) started in March, 2019, in the USA. The cause, diagnosis, treatment, and course of this disease remains unknown.

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Since June, 2019, more than 1000 new cases of e-cigarette, or vaping, product use associated lung injury (EVALI) have been reported in the USA. Patients presented with dyspnoea, cough, and were found to be hypoxaemic with bilateral airspace opacities on chest imaging. Most patients required management in the intensive care unit and steroid therapy. All patients recovered with cessation of vaping, supportive care, and steroid therapy and remained symptom free at follow up. E-cigarette use continues to rapidly escalate in the USA, particularly among youth.

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This is a critical abstract of an economic evaluation that meets the criteria for inclusion on NHS EED. Each abstractcontains a brief summary of the methods, the results and conclusions followed by a detailed critical assessment on thereliability of the study and the conclusions drawn.

Brief description of media:

This is an economic evaluation that meets the criteria for inclusion on NHS EED.

Brief description of media:

This is a critical abstract of an economic evaluation that meets the criteria for inclusion on NHS EED. Each abstract contains a brief summary of the methods, the results and conclusions followed by a detailed critical assessment on the reliability of the study and the conclusions drawn.

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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.