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What is Post-Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS)

Post-Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS) describes a collection of health disorders that are common among patients who survive critical illness while

patients in a hospital intensive care unit (ICU).

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The range of problems and symptoms that PICS describes falls under three broad categories:

 

+ Physical impairment

+ Cognitive impairment 

+ Psychiatric impairment

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The improvement of patients survival after critical illnesses has led medical professionals to recently focus their research on the long-term outcomes for these patients.  Improved ICU survival has also led to the discovery of several significant functional disabilities. 

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Because up until recently research and literature related to critical care medicine and ICU protocols have focused on short-term outcomes there is only a limited understanding of PICS.  However, recent research suggests that there is significant overlap among the three broad categories of symptoms.  In addition, sedation and prolonged immobilization are common themes among patients diagnosed with PICS.

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The term PICS began to be used by medical professionals in 2010.  It was in 2010 that many critical care medical professionals set the goal of alerting the public about the likely long-term dysfunctions that result from treatment in the ICU.  

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+ Click Here for Our Patients and Caregivers PICS Articles and Information Online Library

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+ Click Here for Our Medical Professionals PICS Research and Information Online Library

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As the the PICS diagnosis evolves, After the ICU plans to remain on the cutting edge by continuing to provide former ICU patients, their families and medical providers with access to up-to-date research and articles from medical researchers and authorities all over the world.  We also will continue to provide our own hands on assistance to anyone with questions about PICS.  

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