Brief description of media:

Patients recovering from COVID-19 may face a second battle -- coping with the disease's mental health ramifications.
This is particularly true for the sickest of the sick who required time in the ICU and intubation. These patients may experience "post-intensive care syndrome" (PICS) that could manifest as a combination of physical, cognitive, and mental health impairments following an ICU stay for a critical illness.

Brief description of media:

Oxford mental health researchers have published new guidelines and provide free resources for treating patients experiencing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) following admission to an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Brief description of media:

Since nearly half of all patients with severe respiratory failure who are placed on a ventilator die, we tend to declare victory if a COVID-19 patient comes off the machine alive. But the reality is that many survivors of severe respiratory failure and other forms of critical illness fare poorly, even if they do beat their underlying disease. Their likelihood of developing PTSD, depression or anxiety is similar to that of soldiers returning from combat.

Brief description of media:

The guide gives information about: How you might feel after spending time in intensive care. Psychoeducation about PTSD. Things about intensive care that can contribute to the development of PTSD. Information about delirium. Psychological approaches to treating PTSD. Signposting to evidence-based treatment. Information for mental health professionals working with patients who have PTSD following admission to intensive care.

Brief description of media:

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.

Brief description of media:

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.

Brief description of media:

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?”

Brief description of media:

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

Brief description of media:

As the new coronavirus continues to spread across the United States, some areas of the country are at or near the peak of new infections, according to many health experts. But wide areas of the country are predicted to see new infections continue to grow for quite some time, with a corresponding increase in hospitalizations, admission to hospital intensive care units (ICUs) and fatalities.

Brief description of media:

Summary: PICS is common and under-recognized• COVID-19 survivors seem to be at particularly high risk for PICS• Improving outcomes for our ICU survivors is both a challenge and imperative for the critical care community

Brief description of media:

Post-intensive care syndrome (PICS) describes new or worsening physical, cognitive, or mental impairments in a patient following critical illness or intensive care. The COVID-19 pandemic will likely result in many more patients with PICS and its associated health and economic challenges. Screening and assessment tools done during hospitalization, at discharge, and post discharge should be utilized to facilitate services and strategies to improve PICS outcomes for patient and their families.

Brief description of media:

One thing that did not make to the spotlight in this COVID-19 pandemic is a question that what happens to the COVID-19 patients after they are discharged from the critical care? A common assumption around the world is that once a patient is discharged from the hospital and is tested negative the problem is resolved. This may be based on a relative lack of information and knowledge, even among the health care professionals, regarding a condition described as Post-Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS). PICS may be a next public health crisis that we may face when this acute form of COVID-19 crisis settles down a bit.