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In this section, we've provided some information about everyday patient care, including how we wean patients off the ventilator or breathing machine and how we make sure that they are as comfortable as possible (sedation).
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This link will take you to the ICUSteps website and a to a short video by Dr Zudin Puthucheary on muscle wasting in Intensive Care patients.
Many Intensive Care Units across the UK are introducing live music onto their Units (called "ICUHear"), in the hope that patients and families find this relaxing.Since the Autumn of 2018, musicians have been performing on the Intensive Care Unit at the Royal Infirmary, usually a short session every few weeks. Feedback from patients, family members and staff has been really positive so far, and we're hoping that this will become part of routine care.Here is the link to ICUHear, which was...
Why is nutrition so important in Intensive Care? Being very ill can increase the rate at which the body uses up energy, which means that patients can lose a lot of weight while they're in Intensive Care.Another common effect of very severe illness is muscle wasting,which can affect things like mobility and result in patients becoming tired very easily. Putting weight back on and regaining muscle can often take some time. It is therefore very important that patients are well fed...
Personal care includes things like giving bed baths, mouth care,skin care, moving patients in bed and doing gentle exercises to help keep the patient's joints from becoming stiff.Patients receive a bedbath (a complete body wash in bed) at least once a day and whenever else needed. Mouth care is provided every 2 to 3 hours, using soft moist sponges to clean and moisturise the mouth, and vaseline to stop the lips from cracking.The nurse will also change the position of the...
Some Intensive Care Units across the UK are introducing "therapy pets" onto their Units, in the hope that patients (particularly long-term patients) find this relaxing. These are usually specially trained dogs, and their visits are usually short and very carefully organised. In some cases, patients' own dogs might be allowed onto the Unit for a short visit. Please speak with the nurse in charge to find out more. This link will take you to NHS Lothian's page on pet therapy.
What do physiotherapists do in Intensive Care? Physiotherapy has a very important role in the care and treatment of patients in Intensive Care. There are two main things that the physiotherapist can help with; breathing and exercises. Help with breathing Many patients in Intensive Care need help with their breathing, even if they're not connected to a ventilator or breathing machine. Patients who are not connected to a ventilator or breathing machine may struggle to...
What are "lines"? There are different kinds of "lines" with different uses. Some are used to give patients fluids and medications, most commonly in the small veins in the hand or arms (sometimes called a cannula).Some medication needs to be given via a large vein (where the richer blood supply dilutes it) in the neck or groin (sometimes called a central line). These types of lines are also used to give liquid nutrition (TPN or Total Parenteral Nutrition). Other...
What is sedation? Sedatives are the drugs we give patients to keep them sleepy and comfortable whilst in Intensive Care.They are usually given into a line or drip, directly into the patient's bloodstream. Why are sedatives used in Intensive Care? When a patient is very ill, the body may struggle to cope with the severity of their illness or with some of the things we have to do in order to treat their illness. Being connected to a ventilator or breathing machine via a...
Sepsis is a very severe form of infection.This link will take you to the UK Sepsis Trust. The website provides patients and families with easily understandable information on what sepsis is, the different types, the symptoms, treatements and potential long-term effects.There are personal stories from patients who have survived sepsis and from their family members. They offer an "In Touch" service, which is access to one-to-one support via email or telephone. There is also a...
Sepsis is a very severe form of infection.This link will take you to the UK Sepsis Trust's booklet for patients and family members. It provides easily understandable information on what sepsis is, the different types, the symptoms, treatments and long-term effects.