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Post Intensive Care

Post Intensive Care Management

The management of acutely sick surgical and medical patients by the appropriately skilled staff, in the best setting is an aim of best clinical practice. Key components of improved outcomes for the sickest patients, who do not quite need Intensive care or have been stepped down from the Intensive Care unit, are: a senior experienced clinician, often with a Critical Care training background, skilled nursing and support staff, and a close working relationship with the Intensive Care/High Dependency unit.

The common complications of acutely sick patients include sepsis (i.e the manifestations of infection), which is still an underrecognised and often inadequately managed condition, that is as common as acute myocardial infarction, and yet accounts for between 30-60% of deaths in critically ill patients. See www.survivingsepsis.org The challenge is to identify the features of sepsis, its likely cause, removal of the source of the infection, timely fluid and haemodynamic management, and early, appropriate antibiotic treatment.

Post Intensive Care Complications

Breathing difficulties, due to a variety of causes such as inadequate cough post operatively, chest infections, pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, acute coronary syndromes often complicate the management of acute illness and post operative patients.

Difficulties with fluid management of patients with renal dysfunction and/or heart failure are another important referral request, in whom timely intervention can change outcomes beneficially. These are amongst the commonest reasons for referral to Intensive Care/High Dependency specialists. Their skill set and experience is linked to improved outcomes in a high dependency setting for surgical and medical patients.

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Visiting Hospital

Imperial College London
Royal Brompton & Harefield
BMI Healthcare
Chelsea Outpatient Centre
London Bridge Hospital
Bupa Cromwell Hospital
Chelsea Westminister Hospital
The Lister Hospital