Did you know that preparing patients before an ICU stay can lead to better recovery after? Prehabilitation programmes focus on strengthening physical, cognitive, and metabolic health before critical illness, ensuring a smoother rehabilitation journey post-discharge.

Our NEXT colleagues dive into this crucial topic with expert guests, exploring how early intervention can transform patient outcomes.

Tune in now and join the conversation!

Post-Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS) refers to the prolonged impairment of physical, cognitive, and mental health that can occur after an intensive care stay. Its effects may last for over a decade after discharge.

Our NEXT colleagues have explored this important topic in their podcast featuring Dr. Anne-Francoise Rousseau who addresses key questions and future strategies for managing PICS. Do not miss this opportunity —tune in now!

Admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) can be a challenging experience for patients and their families. Psychological burdens, including symptoms of anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress, are among the most reported during the ICU stay.

A recent study has been carried out as a joint project between France and the United States in which the experts have designed an intervention to improve outcomes for patients’ families. For this intervention, they evaluated the nurse facilitator to support, model and teach communication strategies that will help in securing care aligned with patients' goals at the ICU.

To learn more about this intervention, we interviewed one of the main authors, Nancy Kentish Barnes. Listen to our podcast for deeper insights into this study!

The latest guidelines released from the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine (ESICM) are about end-of-life (EOL) and palliative care for critically ill adults! This comprehensive work, developed by an international, multi-disciplinary team of clinical experts, a methodologist, and patient and family representatives, is now accessible to all clinicians. We had the privilege of interviewing Prof. Kesecioglu, who led this remarkable project. Listen to this interview and explore the rationale and methodology behind the guidelines and hear the initial feedback following their release.

Mechanical ventilation (MV) can impair gas exchange, destabilise hemodynamics, and injure endothelial cells. Intravenous (IV) fluid therapy helps to restore hemodynamics and ensure adequate distal organ perfusion. However, the interplay between restrictive and liberal fluid strategies due to the complex physiological interaction between the heart and lungs may affect ventilation and risk organ damage in critically ill patients. 

Tune in to our next podcast and learn more about the fluids-MV interplay!

The early initiation of vasopressors, ideally within the first hour of diagnosing septic shock, is emerging as a preferred strategy. This approach offers a multimodal action with potential benefits, including reduced morbidity and mortality. Prompt vasopressor therapy is crucial for effective management in septic shock patients.

To dive deeper into the timing and administration of vasopressors, join us for our next podcast! Michele Chew and Mathieu Jozwiak will guide us through the essentials—don’t miss it!

Acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) represent sudden and severe declines in airway function and respiratory symptoms in COPD patients. The clinical presentation of AECOPD is diverse, demanding a treatment approach tailored to disease severity—beginning with antibiotic therapy and, in critical cases, advancing to mechanical ventilation for respiratory support.

Tune into our next podcast to learn more!