Historically critical care medicine concentrated on “fixing” patients who were critically ill. This meant long stays in bed and treatment delivered to the patient . Now we understand the importance of low levels of sedation , early rehabilitation to get patients moving earlier- reducing issues such as muscle wasting, deconditioning and delirium. Patients are not only supported to move and start their rehabilitation earlier, we encourage relatives to bring in the patients clothes and photos and help with this process. and we have invested in equipment that makes early mobilisation much easier such as the Combiliser and portable monitoring and ventilators.
Our Healthcare Assistants (HCAs) have a very specific role in supporting the work of the physiotherapists and nurses by encouraging functional skills and independence. We call them our HCA rehab buddies and they are invaluable in this process. After Critical Care the support is taken up by the Critical Care Outreach Team. NICE CG 83 and NICE CG 50.
Individualised patient rehabilitation plans
“For many wearing pyjamas reinforces feeling unwell and can prevent a speedy recovery. One of the most valuable resources is a patients’ time and getting people up and dressed is a vital step in ensuring that they do not spend any longer than is clinically necessary in hospital.” Professor Jane Cummings, Chief Nursing Officer for England.
Our information board
Critical care @SONHStrust #EndPJparalysis #last1000days @BrianwDolan pic.twitter.com/DaO6UUCZAC— Mel pinnington 💙 (@MelPinnington) July 11, 2019
Patient Diaries
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We keep a patient diary during their stay which the staff and relatives write in to “fill in the blanks” for the patient. When they are acutely unwell, patients do not make sense of their environment or what is happening and so the diary is an important part of helping them to come to terms with the events of their critical care stay. They are given to patients at the outreach clinic where they can be signposted to help with their ongoing rehabilitation after their hospital stay.
Outreach Team