Neuropsychiatric assessment and management of the ICU survivor

Abstract

Any survivor among the millions of patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) for critical illness each yearis susceptible to persistent health problems that continueafter discharge and may lead to post-intensive caresyndrome (PICS), defi ned as new or worsening dysfunctionfrom physical impairment, cognitive impairment, oremotional impairment, or a combination. Considering theincreased rates of ICU survival and the growing elderlypopulation more likely to utilize ICU resources, critical carepractitioners have broadened their focus on outcomesand care of ICU survivors to include the acute post-ICUsurvival period as well as months and even years after ICUdischarge. This review focuses on the neuropsychiatric aspectsof PICS in ICU survivors including diagnostic, screening,and treatment recommendations. It also highlights thevalue of post-ICU clinics and the unique role of the consultationpsychiatrist in the care of this patient population