Around 80 percent of Intensive Care Unit patients suffer from the effects of Post-ICU Syndrome, according to a Wall Street Journal report, and hospitals have started changing their ICU practices to combat this issue.
Post-ICU Syndrome symptoms include post-traumatic stress symptoms, depression, fatigue and "ICU delirium," a temporary brain injury that can lead to cognitive issues onset by heavy sedation and being hooked up to a ventilator for prolonged periods of time.
Some of the changes hospitals have introduced into ICU standards include giving patients breaks from ventilation, closely observing them for signs of delirium and trying to get them walking as soon as possible. Patients with sepsis have a higher risk of developing Post-ICU Syndrome, so some hospitals are also being more aggressive with sepsis monitoring and treatment.
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