[Post-Intensive Care Syndrome in Intensive Care Patients and Their Families]

Abstract

The population of survivors of critical illness has increased with advancements in medicine and technology. However, many patients and their families experience post-intensive care syndromes after discharge from intensive care units (ICUs) due to the comorbidities and side-effects of severe illnesses and related treatments. The problems faced by these survivors are mainly physical symptoms, cognitive disorders, and psychological problems (including anxiety, depression, and traumatic stress disorder). Moreover, patient family members frequently experience psychological problems as well. This article introduces the post-intensive care syndromes (PICS) of survivors and their families; describe the physical symptoms, risk factors, and prevention strategies related to PICS; and primary instruments currently used to measure PICS. The authors hope to provide intensive care health staff with the knowledge necessary to implement preventive strategies for patients as early as possible during their ICU stay to improve the quality of intensive care.

Keywords: Intensive care unit; critical illness patients; post intensive care syndrome.