Rehab team offer head-to-toe healing
The importance of rehabilitation in the recovery of intensive care patients is the subject of a month-long session of daily talks taking place at Ealing and Northwick Park intensive care units.
The sessions which are hosted by various members of the units’ multi-disciplinary teams in the build up to Allied Health Professional Day, help raise awareness that everyone has a role to play in effective rehabilitation.
It benefits include supporting recovery, shortening hospital stay and improving long term outcomes.
The calendar of events has been organised by the critical care multi-disciplinary team including Principal Critical Care Physiotherapist Kiki Patel. Its goal is to promote and foster a supportive rehabilitation culture; inform staff of the resources available as well as provide an overview of different team members roles.
Kiki said “Critical care patients can quickly become de-conditioned so it is important we start rehabilitation as soon as is possible This makes a significant difference to their long-term health outcomes and every team member has a role to play”
The sessions include the benefits of early mobilisation, optimising nutrition, communication, delirium management and psychological wellbeing. Rehab ‘legends’ will be nominated on a daily basis to appreciate anyone who has done anything to enhance, support or facilitate rehabilitation.