Benzodiazepine Use and Neuropsychiatric Outcomes in the ICU

The majority of included studies indicated that benzodiazepine use in the ICU is associated with delirium, symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, and cognitive dysfunction. Future well-designed studies... read more

Benzodiazepine Use and Neuropsychiatric Outcomes in the ICU

PTSD Phenomena After Critical Illness

Experiencing critical illness and intensive care can be extremely stressful. Roughly 1 in 5 critical illness survivors have clinically significant post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in the year after intensive... read more

PTSD Phenomena After Critical Illness

Breaking it Down: Post Intensive Care Syndrome and Recovery – Emotions

The emotional aftermath of critical illness/injury is something that often catches people by surprise but can have a significant impact on daily life. People who have been critically ill/injured often describe difficulty... read more

Breaking it Down: Post Intensive Care Syndrome and Recovery – Emotions

I Had PTSD After a Critical Illness. Apparently That’s Fairly Common

The emotional trauma of a near-death experience causes ongoing emotional and physical symptoms in one-third of ICU patients. PICS doesn't have a time limitation and can be triggered by almost anything. I was suddenly anxious... read more

I Had PTSD After a Critical Illness. Apparently That’s Fairly Common

Early Interventions for the Prevention of Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms in Survivors of Critical Illness

Despite a paucity of high-quality clinical investigations, the preponderance of evidence to date suggests that 1) posttraumatic stress disorder among survivors of critical illness may be preventable and 2) early interventions... read more

Early Interventions for the Prevention of Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms in Survivors of Critical Illness

Associations With Psychological Outcomes Among Family Members of Mechanical Ventilation Survivors

In this multicenter cross-sectional survey, we interviewed family members of mechanically ventilated patients at the time of transfer from the ICU to the hospital ward. To our knowledge, this is the first study to explore... read more

Associations With Psychological Outcomes Among Family Members of Mechanical Ventilation Survivors

Association Between Continuous Hyperosmolar Therapy and Survival in Patients with TBI

Intracranial hypertension (ICH) is a major cause of death after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Continuous hyperosmolar therapy (CHT) has been proposed for the treatment of ICH, but its effectiveness is controversial. We compared... read more

Association Between Continuous Hyperosmolar Therapy and Survival in Patients with TBI

The Life Cycle of Intensive Care Survivors

I started the Intensive care follow-up clinic to try to make sense of my work with critical patients and get feedback from their physical recovery. Over time, I verified that the patients presented not only physical effects,... read more

The Life Cycle of Intensive Care Survivors

Psychological Burnout and Critical Care Medicine

While you are likely proud to be a critical care medicine (CCM) practitioner, does work routinely leave you increasingly drained? Do you feel resentful about requests for "futile interventions" and unwilling to absorb others'... read more

Psychological Burnout and Critical Care Medicine

My ICU Patient Lived. Is That Enough?

As many as one in three patients sick enough to require a ventilator might develop symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. Anxiety and depression are equally common, if not more so. Others survive critical illness but... read more

My ICU Patient Lived. Is That Enough?

Characteristics and Outcomes of ICU Survivors

A significant number of intensive care unit survivors evaluated 3 months after discharge had psychological, respiratory, motor, and socioeconomic problems; these findings highlight that strategies aimed to assist critically... read more

Characteristics and Outcomes of ICU Survivors

A New Awareness of Mental Health in ICU Patients

During the last decade, the field of critical care medicine has been undergoing a sea change, says Dale Needham, medical director of the Johns Hopkins Critical Care Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Program. It wasn't... read more

A New Awareness of Mental Health in ICU Patients

High Morning Cortisol Tied to Long-term Anxiety in Family Members of ICU Patients

A new study published in the journal Critical Care Medicine finds that a biomarker may help identify which family members will be most emotionally impacted by their loved one's ICU stay. In particular, family members who... read more

High Morning Cortisol Tied to Long-term Anxiety in Family Members of ICU Patients

The Nurses: A Year of Secrets, Drama, and Miracles with the Heroes of the Hospital

Nurses is the compelling story of the year in the life of four nurses, and the drama, unsung heroism, and unique sisterhood of nursing—one of the world's most important professions (nurses save lives every day), and one... read more

The Nurses: A Year of Secrets, Drama, and Miracles with the Heroes of the Hospital

ICU Diary Impact on Patients and Families Wellbeing

The ICU-Diary study: prospective, multicenter comparative study of the impact of an ICU diary on the wellbeing of patients and families in French ICUs. This study will provide new insights on the impact of ICU diaries on... read more

ICU Diary Impact on Patients and Families Wellbeing

COPD can increase risk of developing sepsis

People with COPD have a higher than average risk of developing lung infections, such as pneumonia, which then puts them at higher risk for developing sepsis. Sepsis and septic shock can result from an infection anywhere in... read more

COPD can increase risk of developing sepsis

PTSD, Psychotropic Medication Use, and the Risk of Dementia Among US Veterans

Objective: To determine the associations between PTSD, psychotropic medication use, and the risk for dementia. PTSD diagnosis significantly increased the risk for dementia diagnosis (HR = 1.35; [95% CI = 1.27–1.43]). However,... read more

PTSD, Psychotropic Medication Use, and the Risk of Dementia Among US Veterans

SCCM Pod-330 Long-Term Mental Health Problems After Delirium in the ICU

Todd Fraser, MD, speaks with Arjen Slooter, MD, PhD, about the article, "Long-Term Mental Health Problems After Delirium in the ICU," published in Critical Care Medicine.... read more

Hospitals struggle to address terrifying and long-lasting 'ICU delirium'

Doctors and nurses across the country are now pushing an ambitious campaign to change practices in intensive care units to reduce cases of "ICU delirium".... read more

Hospitals struggle to address terrifying and long-lasting 'ICU delirium'

Depression affects one in three patients after intensive care

Almost one in three people discharged from hospital intensive care units (ICUs) has clinically important and persistent symptoms of depression, according to research published in the journal Critical Care Medicine.... read more

Depression affects one in three patients after intensive care