Recovery From Critical Illness: Recognizing Post-Intensive Care Syndrome

Presented by Patricia J. Ohtake, James Smith, and Hallie Zeleznik

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Video Runtime: 56 Minutes; Learning Assessment Time: 36 Minutes

Post-intensive care syndrome (PICS), first defined in 2012 as a new syndrome, is often underrecognized by rehabilitation professionals and primary care providers. This course will provide an overview of post-intensive care syndrome, including characteristics of the syndrome, incidence, and risk factors. Participants will be able to identify the signs/symptoms of this syndrome. Strategies for engaging in an interprofessional approach through advocacy will be addressed so that participants will be able to enhance outcomes for people with PICS.

Meet your instructors

Patricia J. Ohtake

Patricia J. Ohtake, PT, PhD, is the assistant vice president for interprofessional education in the Office of the Vice President for Health Sciences and associate professor in the physical therapy program at the University at Buffalo. Dr. Ohtake’s research focuses on acute and critical care rehabilitation, including…

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James Smith

James Smith, PT, DPT, is a professor of physical therapy at Utica College. Prior to that, much of his career had been in hospital-based practice. His service to the profession included president, Education Committee chair, Nominating Committee chair, and Clinical Practice Guidelines Committee chair in APTA-Acute Care;…

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Hallie Zeleznik

Hallie Zeleznik, PT, DPT, is the director of strategic initiatives and professional development for UPMC Centers for Rehab Services in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She is a board-certified neurologic clinical specialist. She previously held the positions of assistant director of the outpatient neurologic/vestibular program for…

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Chapters & learning objectives

What Is Post-Intensive Care Syndrome?

1. What Is Post-Intensive Care Syndrome?

This chapter will provide an overview of post-intensive care syndrome to establish a foundational awareness of the syndrome. This will include characteristics of PICS in the domains of physical functioning, cognitive impairments, and mental health problems.

Incidence and Risk Factors for PICS

2. Incidence and Risk Factors for PICS

This chapter will describe the prevalence of PICS based on current ICU survivorship rates. Incidence of and risk factors for the physical, cognitive, and mental health problems associated with PICS will be described. Participants will be introduced to a survivor of critical illness describing her illness and the problems she faced following hospital discharge.

Long-Term Consequences of PICS

3. Long-Term Consequences of PICS

This chapter will review the long-term consequences of PICS as it relates to activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living, and other participation restrictions. Participants will gain insight into these impacts through an interview with a survivor of critical illness who experienced PICS.

Don’t Forget the Caregivers: PICS-Family

4. Don’t Forget the Caregivers: PICS-Family

This chapter will review the impact of critical illness of family members/caregivers, which has been described in its own syndrome, PICS-family (PICS-F). Perspectives from a family member of a person with PICS will be provided through an interview.

The Importance of an Interprofessional Approach and Patient Advocacy

5. The Importance of an Interprofessional Approach and Patient Advocacy

This chapter will review the need for comprehensive interprofessional team management for the problems associated with PICS. Recommendations for those team members will be discussed, as well as the clinician’s role in early identification and referral to the appropriate professional.