At Lehigh Valley Health Network, our Successful Post-ICU Recovery Interprofessional Team (SPIRIT) clinic is designed to help post-ICU patients recover as quickly as possible. We listen to the challenges you or a loved one are facing and find solutions to improve your quality of life. The clinic provides a caring, compassionate experience that supports a successful transition from the ICU to home.
ICU survivors can struggle with physical, cognitive and psychological issues that can last from months to years. This condition is called post-intensive care syndrome (PICS).
A patient with PICS may have one or more of the following symptoms:
- Decreased strength
- Balance difficulty
- Breathing issues
- Trouble with attention or memory
- New anxiety or depression, or trouble coping
- Inability to return to work
- Confusion or questions about how to get back to normal
The SPIRIT clinic team reviews the patient’s ICU stay in detail and evaluates each person carefully. The team members screen for PICS and work to identify any needs, place appropriate referrals, provide medication education, and offer additional supportive resources.
If you feel that you or your loved one is suffering from post-intensive care syndrome, consider scheduling an appointment today by calling 610-402-2823.
We understand that patients’ loved ones may also be suffering during this difficult time. Patient and caregiver support groups will be coming soon.
“When I first got out of the ICU, it was a nightmare. It’s traumatizing, and it’s helpful to talk through that experience.”
– SPIRIT clinic patient
Your SPIRIT team includes
- Physical therapist
- Occupational therapist
- Pulmonary/critical care physician
- Pulmonary certified registered nurse practitioner (clinic coordinator)
- Critical care pharmacist
- Licensed clinical social worker
Helpful websites
- Critical Illness, Brain Dysfunction, and Survivorship Center: ICUdelirium.org
- Society of Critical Care Medicine: sccm.org