The long-stay ICU patient

The physical, psychological and cognitive effects of a prolonged stay on the intensive care unit (ICU) can be profound. Physical challenges include difficulty in weaning the patient from mechanical ventilation, problems with sedation, and critical illness neuropathy and muscle wasting. Psychological aspects include the development of delirium, post-traumatic stress disorder and cognitive dysfunction. It is essential that these patients are appropriately assessed and managed to minimize the long-term impact of these problems.