Inactivity and Symptoms of Post–Intensive Care Syndrome in Older Intensive Care Unit Survivors

Activity Summary

Required reading for all learners: Implicit Bias impacts patient outcomes

Older adults (≥age 65) admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) are profoundly inactive during hospitalization. Older ICU survivors often experience life-changing symptoms, including cognitive dysfunction, physical impairment, and/or psychological distress, which are components of post–intensive care syndrome (PICS). The purpose of this article is to explore trends between inactivity and symptoms of PICS in older ICU survivors. Graphs illustrated trends between inactivity and greater symptom severity of PICS: participants who were less active tended to score worse than one standard deviation of the mean on each outcome. Greater daytime activity was concurrently observed with higher performances on cognitive and physical assessments and better scores on psychological measures. It was found that post-ICU inactivity may identify older ICU survivors who may be at risk for PICS and may guide future research interventions to mitigate symptom burden.

Objectives

Define post-intensive care syndrome and its associated subdomains and symptoms.
Identify risk factors for post-intensive care syndrome among older adults recovering from critical illness.
Describe intra-daily patterns of inactivity that may signal increased risk for developing post-intensive care syndrome.

Continuing Education Disclosure Statement

Criteria for Awarding Contact Hours

Learners must complete the entire activity and the associated evaluation AND read Implicit Bias impacts patient outcomes. No partial credit will be awarded.

Accreditation

American Association of Critical-Care Nurses is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.
Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider number CEP 1036, for {contactHours} contact hours.

Disclosures

The Nurse Planner has determined that no individuals with the ability to control content of this activity have relevant relationships with ineligible companies.

Activities with pharmacotherapeutic credit are to assist the APRN in fulfilling their education requirements for licensure and certification renewals.

Refund Policy

Continuing Education Activities are nonrefundable.