Physiotherapists Role in ICU: Difference between revisions

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Physiotherapy treatment as part of a multi-disciplinary approach to care is integral in promoting lung function, reducing the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia, facilitating weaning and promoting safe and early discharge from the intensive care unit.
Physiotherapy treatment as part of a multi-disciplinary approach to care is integral in promoting lung function, reducing the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia, facilitating weaning and promoting safe and early discharge from the intensive care unit.
== Adverse effects of ICU stay: ==
* Physical Inactivity leading to muscular atrophy and generalized weakness
* Diaphragmatic weakness due to prolonged mechanical venilation
* Pressure Ulcers
* compromised cardiac and respiratory function
* deep vein thrombosis
*


== Physiotherapy rehabilitation in ICU ==
== Physiotherapy rehabilitation in ICU ==
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* They plan an extensive rehabilitation programme to integrate and re-initiate the patient into society.
* They plan an extensive rehabilitation programme to integrate and re-initiate the patient into society.
* They set goals in conjunction with the medical team to rehabilitate the patient.
* They set goals in conjunction with the medical team to rehabilitate the patient.
==== '''Adverse effects of ICU stay:''' ====
* Physical Inactivity leading to muscular atrophy and generalized weakness
* Diaphragmatic weakness due to prolonged mechanical ventilation
* Pressure Ulcers
* compromised cardiac and respiratory function
* deep vein thrombosis
* infections


== Physiotherapy Techniques in ICU : ==
== Physiotherapy Techniques in ICU : ==
Line 55: Line 55:
Early Mobilisation with a focus on returning to funcional activities helps in reducing hospital stay and minimize functional decline.
Early Mobilisation with a focus on returning to funcional activities helps in reducing hospital stay and minimize functional decline.


The goals are mapped out based on patient's physical, psychological status.
The goals are mapped out based on patient's physical, psychological status. During his critical care unit stay physiotherapists should perform a short clinical assessment
* to determine the patient's risk of developing physical and non-physical morbidity.
* to identify their current rehabilitation needs
* For patients at risk, start rehabilitation as early as clinically possible which should include:   
1. measures to prevent avoidable physical and non-physical morbidity,
 
2. nutrition support
 
3.an individualised, structured rehabilitation programme with frequent follow-up reviews. The details of the structured rehabilitation programme and the reviews                                        should be collated and documented in the patient's clinical records.<ref>Rehabilitation after critical illness in adults
 
NICE Guidelines
 
Clinical guideline [CG83] Published date: <time>March 2009</time> </ref>


== Impact of Physiotherapy ==
== Impact of Physiotherapy ==
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* prevent ICU related complications  
* prevent ICU related complications  
* to improve function and quality of life in long term<ref>https://physiotherapy.ca/sites/default/files/valuePT/cpa_valuept_icu-en.pdf</ref>
* to improve function and quality of life in long term<ref>https://physiotherapy.ca/sites/default/files/valuePT/cpa_valuept_icu-en.pdf</ref>
Studies have shown that Physiotherapy intervention in Critical care has helped reduce the mortality rate by 25%.<ref>Tomasi CD, Figueiredo F, Constantino L, Grandi R, Topanotti MFL, Giombelli V, Dal-Pizzol F, Ritter C. Beneficial effect of respiratory physiotherapy in critically ill patients ventilated for more than 48 hours: A randomized controlled trial. Intensive Care Medicine. Conference 23rd Annual Congress of the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine, ESICM Barcelona Spain. Date of publication: September 2010.</ref>
Studies have shown that Physiotherapy intervention in Critical care has helped reduce the mortality rate by 25%.<ref>Tomasi CD, Figueiredo F, Constantino L, Grandi R, Topanotti MFL, Giombelli V, Dal-Pizzol F, Ritter C. Beneficial effect of respiratory physiotherapy in critically ill patients ventilated for more than 48 hours: A randomized controlled trial. Intensive Care Medicine. Conference 23rd Annual Congress of the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine, ESICM Barcelona Spain. Date of publication: September 2010.</ref>  


== Resources ==
== Resources ==
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[http://semmelweis.hu/aneszteziologia/files/2012/09/intane_eng-physiotherapy.pdf Physiotherapy in Intensive Care Unit]
[http://semmelweis.hu/aneszteziologia/files/2012/09/intane_eng-physiotherapy.pdf Physiotherapy in Intensive Care Unit]
[[Exercise in Critical Care|Exercise in Critical care]]


== References  ==
== References  ==

Revision as of 11:12, 24 July 2018

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Introduction[edit | edit source]

Critical care is the specialised care of patients whose conditions are life-threatening and who require comprehensive care and constant monitoring, usually in intensive care units (ICUs).

Critically ill patients frequently suffer long-term physical and psychological complications. They are on long term mechanical ventilation and as a result ,25% display significant muscle weakness, and approximately 90% of long-term ICU survivors will have ongoing muscle weakness. Prolonged stays in the intensive care unit are also associated with impaired quality of life, functional decline and increased morbidity, mortality, cost of care and length of hospital stay.[1]

Therefore, they require a multidisciplinary team in critical care who are uniquely qualified with skills and expertise to work with the assessment and management of respiratory complications, physical deconditioning, and neuromuscular and musculoskeletal conditions.

Physiotherapy treatment as part of a multi-disciplinary approach to care is integral in promoting lung function, reducing the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia, facilitating weaning and promoting safe and early discharge from the intensive care unit.

Physiotherapy rehabilitation in ICU[edit | edit source]

Physiotherapy is an important intervention that prevents and mitigates adverse effects of prolonged bed rest and mechanical ventilation during critical illness. Rehabilitation delivered by the physiotherapist is tailored to patient needs and depends on conscious state, psychological status and physical strength of the patient. It incorporates any active and passive therapy that promotes movement and includes mobilisation. Early progressive physiotherapy, with a focus on mobility and walking whilst ventilated, is essential in minimising functional decline. 

Physiotherapist works to maintain and improve respiration and cardiac functions and later on aid in rehabilitation.

How do physiotherapists do this?[edit | edit source]

Short term Goals:

  • Early activity - Both passive and active to maintain integrity of musculoskeletal system
  • Positioning patients: To allow gravity to help sputum drain from the lungs.
  • Manual techniques such as shaking and vibrations: These are applied to the ribs to try to loosen and clear the sputum.
  • Suction: By placing a small tube into the lungs to suck out the excess sputum.
  • They play a vital role in weaning a patient off ventilation.

Long term:

  • They plan an extensive rehabilitation programme to integrate and re-initiate the patient into society.
  • They set goals in conjunction with the medical team to rehabilitate the patient.

Adverse effects of ICU stay:[edit | edit source]

  • Physical Inactivity leading to muscular atrophy and generalized weakness
  • Diaphragmatic weakness due to prolonged mechanical ventilation
  • Pressure Ulcers
  • compromised cardiac and respiratory function
  • deep vein thrombosis
  • infections

Physiotherapy Techniques in ICU :[edit | edit source]

Respiratory Physiotherapy :[edit | edit source]

It basically works with clearing the airways of the patients and maintaining and improving the integrity of the respiratory system.

It includes:

  • positioning,
  • education,
  • manual and ventilator hyperinflation,
  • weaning from mechanical ventilation,
  • non-invasive ventilation,
  • percussion, vibration, suctioning,
  • respiratory muscle strengthening,
  • breathing exercises and mobilisation[2]

Rehabilitation:[edit | edit source]

Early Mobilisation with a focus on returning to funcional activities helps in reducing hospital stay and minimize functional decline.

The goals are mapped out based on patient's physical, psychological status. During his critical care unit stay physiotherapists should perform a short clinical assessment

  • to determine the patient's risk of developing physical and non-physical morbidity.
  • to identify their current rehabilitation needs
  • For patients at risk, start rehabilitation as early as clinically possible which should include:

1. measures to prevent avoidable physical and non-physical morbidity,

2. nutrition support

3.an individualised, structured rehabilitation programme with frequent follow-up reviews. The details of the structured rehabilitation programme and the reviews should be collated and documented in the patient's clinical records.[3]

Impact of Physiotherapy[edit | edit source]

Early intervention by physiotherapists in the ICU helps

  • reduce the patient's stay in the ICU and overall hospital stay.
  • prevent ICU related complications
  • to improve function and quality of life in long term[4]

Studies have shown that Physiotherapy intervention in Critical care has helped reduce the mortality rate by 25%.[5]

Resources[edit | edit source]

Physical Therapy Intervention in ICU

Physiotherapy in Intensive Care Unit

Exercise in Critical care

References[edit | edit source]

  1. http://www.csp.org.uk/publications/physiotherapy-works-critical-care
  2. Denehy L, Berney S. Physiotherapy in the intensive care unit. Physical Therapy Reviews. 2006;11(1):49.
  3. Rehabilitation after critical illness in adults NICE Guidelines Clinical guideline [CG83] Published date:  
  4. https://physiotherapy.ca/sites/default/files/valuePT/cpa_valuept_icu-en.pdf
  5. Tomasi CD, Figueiredo F, Constantino L, Grandi R, Topanotti MFL, Giombelli V, Dal-Pizzol F, Ritter C. Beneficial effect of respiratory physiotherapy in critically ill patients ventilated for more than 48 hours: A randomized controlled trial. Intensive Care Medicine. Conference 23rd Annual Congress of the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine, ESICM Barcelona Spain. Date of publication: September 2010.