Beyond the walls: a review of ICU clinics and their impact on patient outcomes after leaving hospital

Abstract

Introduction: Patients often experience physical disability, neurocognitive and/or psychological impairment after surviving ICU. The burden arising from critical illness on patients, their families and health services may be substantial. Follow-up of these patients is important and ICU clinics have been introduced for this purpose.

Aim: The aim of this review was to consider current research and reports from the literature about ICU follow-up clinics and their impact on patient outcomes for those who survived hospital after suffering critical illness.

Method: The literature review included searches of the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CINAHL databases. Studies were included if they described the setting up and conduct of the ICU follow-up clinic that required a visit to the clinic.

Results: Seven studies met the inclusion criteria, six of which were from the UK. The ICU follow-up clinics were predominantly nurse-led. There was no consensus on patient selection criteria for clinic attendance or method of follow-up. Clinic services were most often offered to patients who stayed in ICU three or more days. Attendance rates varied and were not reported for three studies. Attendance appeared to be influenced by the severity of illness. Cancellation and non-attendance rates were high for those studies reporting these data. Patients who did not live within the vicinity of the hospital were often excluded. Information about the sequelae of critical illness was provided and attendees were happy to discuss their experiences at the clinic. However, other important outcomes were not reported.

Conclusion: Appropriate follow-up for survivors of intensive care and their family is important. However, evidence is limited on the benefit of ICU clinics for patients recovering from critical illness. Further research is needed to examine models that best meet patient needs after critical care.