Post-intensive care syndrome follow-up system after hospital discharge: a narrative review

Post-intensive care syndrome follow-up system after hospital discharge: a narrative review

2024 | Nobuto Nakanishi, Keibun Liu, Junji Hatakeyama, Akira Kawauchi, Minoru Yoshida, Hidenori Sumita, Kyohei Miyamoto and Kensuke Nakamura
This narrative review summarizes the post-intensive care syndrome (PICS) follow-up system after hospital discharge. PICS refers to long-term impairments in physical, cognitive, and mental health following intensive care. Despite the importance of long-term follow-up for effective PICS management, there is limited evidence on the efficacy of follow-up systems. The PICS follow-up system includes PICS follow-up clinics, home visits, telephone or mail follow-ups, and telemedicine. The first PICS follow-up clinic was established in the UK in 1993, and its use has spread globally. However, there are no consistent findings on the efficacy of PICS follow-up clinics. Recent evidence suggests that attendance at a PICS follow-up clinic should begin within three months after hospital discharge. A multidisciplinary team approach is essential for managing PICS, as it addresses various impairments, including nutritional status. Recent findings on medications, rehabilitation, and nutrition for PICS treatment were summarized. The review highlights the importance of timely follow-up, with studies suggesting that follow-up should occur within one to three months after discharge. The Society of Critical Care Medicine and Dutch guidelines recommend screening and follow-up at 2–4 weeks and 6–12 weeks after discharge. Various follow-up methods, including PICS follow-up clinics, home visits, telephone interviews, and telemedicine, are used. The review also discusses the importance of a multidisciplinary team in PICS follow-up clinics, including physicians, nurses, physical therapists, pharmacists, clinical psychologists, and dietitians. The review emphasizes the need for standardized assessment instruments for PICS, as there are many available but lack standardization. Instruments such as the MiniCog, PHQ-4, and SF-36 are recommended for assessing physical, cognitive, and mental health. Nutrition therapy is an important intervention for PICS, with recommendations for adequate energy and protein intake. Medication management is also crucial, with pharmacists playing a key role in adjusting medications and preventing complications. Rehabilitation is essential for recovery, with various interventions such as physical therapy, respiratory muscle training, and occupational therapy. The review also discusses the challenges in implementing PICS follow-up systems, including insufficient funding and lack of awareness. Telemedicine is considered a promising approach for remote follow-up, especially for patients who cannot attend in-person clinics. The review concludes that a multidisciplinary approach is essential for the successful management of PICS.This narrative review summarizes the post-intensive care syndrome (PICS) follow-up system after hospital discharge. PICS refers to long-term impairments in physical, cognitive, and mental health following intensive care. Despite the importance of long-term follow-up for effective PICS management, there is limited evidence on the efficacy of follow-up systems. The PICS follow-up system includes PICS follow-up clinics, home visits, telephone or mail follow-ups, and telemedicine. The first PICS follow-up clinic was established in the UK in 1993, and its use has spread globally. However, there are no consistent findings on the efficacy of PICS follow-up clinics. Recent evidence suggests that attendance at a PICS follow-up clinic should begin within three months after hospital discharge. A multidisciplinary team approach is essential for managing PICS, as it addresses various impairments, including nutritional status. Recent findings on medications, rehabilitation, and nutrition for PICS treatment were summarized. The review highlights the importance of timely follow-up, with studies suggesting that follow-up should occur within one to three months after discharge. The Society of Critical Care Medicine and Dutch guidelines recommend screening and follow-up at 2–4 weeks and 6–12 weeks after discharge. Various follow-up methods, including PICS follow-up clinics, home visits, telephone interviews, and telemedicine, are used. The review also discusses the importance of a multidisciplinary team in PICS follow-up clinics, including physicians, nurses, physical therapists, pharmacists, clinical psychologists, and dietitians. The review emphasizes the need for standardized assessment instruments for PICS, as there are many available but lack standardization. Instruments such as the MiniCog, PHQ-4, and SF-36 are recommended for assessing physical, cognitive, and mental health. Nutrition therapy is an important intervention for PICS, with recommendations for adequate energy and protein intake. Medication management is also crucial, with pharmacists playing a key role in adjusting medications and preventing complications. Rehabilitation is essential for recovery, with various interventions such as physical therapy, respiratory muscle training, and occupational therapy. The review also discusses the challenges in implementing PICS follow-up systems, including insufficient funding and lack of awareness. Telemedicine is considered a promising approach for remote follow-up, especially for patients who cannot attend in-person clinics. The review concludes that a multidisciplinary approach is essential for the successful management of PICS.
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