Strategies for communicating with conscious mechanically ventilated critically ill patients

Critically ill patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) frequently require ventilatory support. To provide this life-saving therapy, oral intubation or tracheostomy placements are needed. Consequently, verbal ability to communicate is lost. Furthermore, depending on the severity of the clinical condition and other comorbidities, patients commonly develop ICU-acquired weakness, which may preclude gestural communication and motor abilities. Under this circumstance, the patient's inability to interact with health care providers and/or family members results in psychological alterations, as well as isolation and reduction of self-esteem. A variety of tools have been developed to improve patient-clinician communication. This article reviews patient complications due to lack of communication, available tools to enhance interactions, and current published evidence to support communication tools.