Article: Nutritional support

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...

Web Link: Organ donation weblink

The National blood and organ donation service website has all the information needed about organ donation.

External Video: Organ Donation: Does being black or Asian affect the likelihood of you getting a transplant?

Article: Pain relief in ICU

Pain relief – patients in ICU can experience pain due to the underlying illness or injury, a recent operation or procedure or from the tubes uses for breathing. The doctors and nurses will monitor the patients pain levels and administer pain relief when needed. The pain killer medications will either be given via a drip or down the NGT tube.

Article: Passive movement on ICU

Passive movement- This is when the someone physically moves or stretches a part of the patient’s body. It will usually be done by the nurse or physiotherapist who will move and stretch the arms or legs, to help keep the joints moving, whilst a patient is in bed unable to move for themselves.

Article: Personal care

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...

Article: Personal Care on ICU

Personal care is the word we use to cover all the intimate care the nurse gives, such as washing the patient, looking after their skin and mouth. Whilst patients are in ICU the nurse will give a bed bath or a complete wash in bed at least once a day or whenever else it is needed. The mouth is cleaned and moisturised every 2 to 3 hours with soft moist sponges. The nurse will pay special attention to the patient’s skin. The nurse will change the patient’s position in bed, every...

Article: Physiotherapy in Intensive Care

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...

External Video: Post Intensive Care Syndrome Family

This video examples what the symptoms are of Post Intensive Care Syndrome Family. It is not uncommon for families to suffer from poor health themselves, as having a loved one in ICU is a stressful and very emotional experience. It explains why this happens and how to seek help

Article: Pressure relieving equipment

Pressure relieving equipment are several different devices such as special hospital bed mattresses, heel troughs, splints and pillows that are used as part of ICU treatment to reduce or relieve pressure ulcers.