Anest. intenziv. Med. 2020;31(6):305-309 | DOI: 10.36290/aim.2020.063

Year 2020 in review - Post‑acute intensive careReview Article

Djakow J.^1,2

¹ Následná intenzivní péče pro děti, NH Hospital, a. s., Nemocnice Hořovice

² Klinika dětské anesteziologie a resuscitace, Fakultní nemocnice Brno a Lékařská fakulta Masarykovy Univerzity, Brno

Post-acute intensive care is intended for treatment and rehabilitation of patients who still need life-sustaining treatment (usually mechanical ventilation) after successful management of an acute phase of a disease. The goal of the therapy can be either weaning of arteficial ventilation or change and support of care with some type of home mecanical ventilation support (invasive or non-invasive). The probability of weaning from mechanical ventilation is much lower in paediatric patients as the disease spectrum associated with chronic respiratory failure also significantly differs. This 'year-in-review' article summarizes the most interesting publications in the field of post-acute and long-term care for adults and children published in the last 12-18 months. It covers topics from intensive care unit (ICU) factors influencing transfer and outcomes of post-acute care to chosen therapeutic modalities in post-acute care facilities. The theme of paediatric long-term ventilation and life-threatening and life-limiting diseases is outlined in separate paragraph. The last part of the review is dedicated to the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) as reported by patients and their families together with associated ethical topics. Last short section introduces the most important clinical practice guidelines published in the last year and relevant for the post-acute care facilities.

Keywords: post‑acute care, long‑term acute care, mechanical ventilation, weaning, health‑related quality of life, ethics.

Published: December 30, 2020  Show citation