Many patients who have been in the intensive care unit often experience ‘post-intensive care syndrome’ when they return home. The phenomenon, which is still relatively unknown to the general public and the healthcare sector, can cause physical, psychological and cognitive problems. “It is a misunderstood aspect of the pandemic,” reports the Federal Health Care Knowledge Center (KCE).
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A stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) is very drastic. ‘Life comes to a standstill and the failing body is supported by machines and medicines’, explains Gudrun Briat of the KCE. “Intensive care has made significant progress in recent decades and has saved many lives. But patients are and will remain people, with their vulnerabilities. ‘
Post-intensive care syndrome
According to the KCE, it is not surprising that the stay leaves lasting traces for some. These complaints are grouped under the name ‘post-intensive care syndrome’ (PICS). More than half of the patients who have been in the ICU for a serious problem may experience it, especially if they already had health problems before.
Since covid-19 has taken hold of the world and put pressure on the health care system, many people have already been admitted to the ICU. This could also increase the number of cases of PICS according to the KCE in the coming months.
“At present, problems with PICS are often not identified in Belgium,” says Dr. Germaine Hanquet, lead investigator of the study. “Not only is the syndrome little known in the medical world and the general public, but patients leaving the ICU are also not systematically monitored.”
GPs
Since most patients sooner or later come into contact with their GP after their stay in the ICU, this report is intended for the GPs. “We realize that GPs are currently being over-questioned, but they are often the first to recognize and treat signs of PICS.”
After discharge from the hospital, the focus is usually on the initial pathology and physical condition of the patient. The cognitive and psychological symptoms are then often given less priority and a connection with the stay in the ICU is not always made.
To help GPs recognize these problems, the KCE studied the international literature. It identified a number of easy-to-use and fast tools that allow GPs to assess the situation of patients in ICU in less than ten minutes. The KCE proposes a set of six practical tools that can be easily used in the practice or at the patient’s home. After this rapid screening, the doctor can refer you to a specialist.
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