Did you know that having an illness that requires a prolonged ICU stay, can lead to months of disability after discharge? As patients are grateful for overcoming a critical time in their lives, there is a high probability of having another difficult challenge ahead of them: not being able to function as they had been able to prior to their ICU stay. This may result from ICU delirium which affects 60% to 80% of patients that were on ventilators and 20% to 40% of patients that were not on ventilators (Brummel et al., 2014). In Nashville, Tennessee at St. Thomas Hospital, 126 ICU patients were studied between October 2003 and March 2006 and researchers found an association between the duration of ICU delirium and patients’ post ICU disability (Brummel et al., 2014). During the following year after discharge from the ICU, functional ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs) were tested and the correlation of a longer period of ICU delirium and decreased ability to perform ADLs was found. After watching three videos on ICU delirium and reading the article on this study, I agree with Dr. Brummel et al., that treatment of delirium is essential in attempt to prevent months of diminished motor function since performing one’s ADLs is of high importance to most individuals. This article also pointed out another interesting study that showed reduced delirium in ICU patients at risk of atrophy and weakness who received physical and occupational therapy (PT/OT) within the first couple of days while on a ventilator. It appears steps that need to be taken are assessment of ICU delirium, attempt to reduce the duration of ICU delirium, have PT/OT work with patients at risk in the ICU sooner rather than later, and continue to research ways to reduce disability post ICU discharge.

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  References Brummel N E Jackson J C Pandharipande P P Thompson J L Shintani A K Dittus R SGirard T D 2014 Delirium in the Intensive Care Unit subsequent long-term disability among survivors of mechanical ventilation.Brummel, N. E., Jackson, J. C., Pandharipande, P. P., Thompson, J. L., Shintani, A. K., Dittus, R. S.,…Girard, T. D. (2014). Delirium in the Intensive Care Unit subsequent long-term disability among survivors of mechanical ventilation. Crit Care Med, 42(2), 369-377. doi:10.1097/ccm.0b013e3182a645bd 201509211616561221419573    

My name is Cassandra Elston. I received my ADN from Ventura College in May 2000. I worked in med-surg during my first 3 1/2 years as a registered nurse. I made my way to where I am now by working in a pediatric unit for 1 year and then postpartum for 6 years. Finally I have been working at my dream job in the NICU at St. John’s Regional Medical Center for the past 4 years. That is where I would like to continuing working with my BSN. I have found the CSUCI RN to BSN program challenging, however I feel the degree that I will be receiving in May 2016 is of great worth. Since I started this current journey to obtain a higher degree, I have not had much time to do what I really love, which is spend time with my family and paddleboard. I have been married for 25 years. We have been blessed with 3 kids and 2 grandchildren. Our 25 year old son is married, has a 6 year old daughter, is in the Army, and lives in Alaska. Our 24 year old daughter is married, has a 18 month old son, and attends Ventura College.  Our 16 year old son is a Junior at Rio Mesa High School, and is on their water polo and swim team. My dog is a 6 year old Shitzu named Jaylee.