Post-intensive care syndrome
While placement in a hospital’s ICU can be lifesaving for patients with severe illness, it can also come with significant health consequences.
Generally, people requiring intensive care are at increased risk for mental health issues like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression when they’re released from treatment, according to Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City. They may also have significant cognitive impairment and limited physical ability.
“Post-intensive care syndrome (PICS) is used to describe patients who have survived a severe critical illness, along with the intensive care required to survive. Patients can have some combination of physical impairment, cognitive impairment, and psychiatric impairment,” explained Weinstein. “Physical impairments that can occur include weakness and malnutrition. Cognitive impairment can include decreased memory, decreased attention, and decreased mental sharpness or ability to solve problems.”
Post-intensive care syndrome
While placement in a hospital’s ICU can be lifesaving for patients with severe illness, it can also come with significant health consequences.
Generally, people requiring intensive care are at increased risk for mental health issues like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression when they’re released from treatment, according to Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City. They may also have significant cognitive impairment and limited physical ability.
“Post-intensive care syndrome (PICS) is used to describe patients who have survived a severe critical illness, along with the intensive care required to survive. Patients can have some combination of physical impairment, cognitive impairment, and psychiatric impairment,” explained Weinstein. “Physical impairments that can occur include weakness and malnutrition. Cognitive impairment can include decreased memory, decreased attention, and decreased mental sharpness or ability to solve problems.”