South ACC Networks | Rehabilitation and Follow-up

Rehabilitation and Follow-Up

Critical care Rehabilitation and Follow-Up group are members of the multi-professional team that support and coordinate post ICU care recovery services for patients in critical care units across the Network. Patients who have received care in Intensive care may experience new or worsening health challenges in their physical, mental, emotional and cognitive health. These adverse outcomes of critical illness can be long-lasting and may affect the quality of life of ICU Survivors.

Scientific studies and lived experiences of ICU Patients provide evidence to the role of early rehabilitation in the Intensive care unit in reducing adverse outcomes for post discharge ICU patients.

The Rehabilitation and Follow-Up subgroup are group of multi-professional from a range of background and they meet to discuss rehabilitation interventions and support to help reduce and prevent physical, mental, cognitive and psychological impairments derived as a complication of receiving care in the intensive care unit. They share expertise, knowledge, insight and discuss best practices to enable standards to be effectively developed and implemented in critical care areas. Furthermore, they signpost other members to rehabilitation needs and discuss service provision for AHPs in various units under the Kent, Surrey and Sussex Adult Critical Care Operational Delivery Network. Some of these interventions include use of ICU diaries, clinical psychology support, physical and respiratory exercises, nutritional support, and exercise classes etc.