Critical illness is an iatrogenic disorder

Area of Science:

• Critical Care Medicine
• Patient Safety
• Medical Ethics

Background:

• Iatrogenic illnesses result from medical care and are potentially preventable.
• For critically ill patients, critical illness itself is often iatrogenic, developing post-resuscitation.
• Organ dysfunction is a key construct in understanding critical illness and its iatrogenic origins.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore evolving evidence on the iatrogenic nature of critical illness.
• To examine the implications of viewing critical illness through an iatrogenic lens.
• To inform taxonomy, management, and prevention strategies for critically ill patients.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of evidence on iatrogenic critical illness.
• Analysis of the role of therapeutic and supportive interventions.
• Exploration of organ dysfunction as a consequence of critical care.

Main Results:

• Critical illness is fundamentally iatrogenic, developing after resuscitation from life-threatening conditions.
• Therapeutic and supportive interventions in critical care have both beneficial and adverse consequences.
• The iatrogenic model reframes organ dysfunction as an inherent part of critical illness evolution.

Conclusions:

• Adopting an iatrogenic model of critical illness is crucial for advancing patient care.
• This perspective necessitates re-evaluation of disease classification, treatment, and prevention strategies.
• Improved understanding of iatrogenic factors can enhance survival for critically ill patients.