ICU of the Future prototype showcase
Did you know that up to 75% of patients admitted to ICU can experience delirium, many developing PTSD, depression and anxiety as a direct result of the ICU environment.
So, we are working to fix this by understanding what causes ‘ICU Delirium’ and how to reconfigure ICU wards to priorities patient recovery and clinical efficiencies. The project, which is conducted in collaboration with The Prince Charles Hospital’s Adult Intensive Care Service and supported by The Common Good, seeks to improve the experience and outcomes of critically ill patients, and their families. To do this we are building a prototype bed space for what the ‘ICU of the Future’ could look like.
The prototype, which is being constructed onsite at The Prince Charles Hospital in Chermside, Queensland, will be used to test and fine tune the architectural design, acoustic properties and technological innovations that will be implemented when two bed spaces at the hospital are upgraded later this year.
The multidisciplinary collaboration continues as staff from across The Prince Charles Hospital and Metro North Hospital and Health Service provide feedback on the prototypes and the project team engages with former patients and their families to ensure that the re-imagined ICU bed spaces address all the factors that can be detrimental to a patient’s quality of life post-ICU admission.
Learn more about ICU of the Future from former patients and their families in the videos below. If you would like to visit the ICU of the Future prototype, please contact the project team via the enquiry form below.
FAST FACTS
Up to 75% of ICU patients will experience cognitive problems (including delirium) or mental trauma during or after their admission
Sometimes this is short term, however for many, the side effects of ICU admission continue for years after discharge, and rates of PTSD can be as high those seen among Veterans.
This significantly impacts on the QUALITY of a patient’s life after ICU discharge. Some of these problems are permanent, and many patients are unable to return to their previous work or general function.
Even though the patients may only be admitted for a few days, many experience the mental side effects of ICU for years after going home. They survived their critical illness, but the quality of survival is not always as great.
50% of families make major adjustments to living circumstances such as moving home, delaying education or losing their savings to support their loved one after ICU admission.
Up to 75% of family members can have symptoms of anxiety, 50% have PTSD symptoms, and up to 30% wind up taking medication for depression or anxiety.
The ICU of the Future project, supported by The Common Good, aims to eliminate many of the factors that can contribute to a patient experiencing mental distress in ICU including constant noise and alarms, lack of natural light, and social isolation, to optimise recovery so patients can THRIVE not just survive.
Contact the ICU of the Future project team.
