Intensive care units follow-up: a scoping review protocol

Area of Science:

• Critical care medicine
• Public health
• Quality of life research

Background:

• Growing numbers of patients survive critical illness, leading to concerns about long-term consequences.
• Postintensive care syndrome (PICS) encompasses these long-term effects, impacting patients, families, and society.
• Current intensive care unit (ICU) follow-up consultations lack standardized models for evaluating PICS and quality of life.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a scoping review of existing models for ICU follow-up care.
• To identify strategies used in ICU follow-up that impact patient quality of life.
• To inform the development of a standardized model for PICS evaluation.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature search of electronic databases (MEDLINE) and grey literature.
• Adherence to Joanna Briggs Institute stakeholder engagement recommendations.
• Application of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines.

Main Results:

• This section will detail the findings of the literature search regarding various ICU follow-up models.
• Analysis will focus on the reported impact of these models on patient quality of life.
• Identification of common themes and variations in current follow-up practices.

Conclusions:

• Standardized models are needed for effective ICU follow-up and PICS management.
• Evidence-based follow-up strategies can improve long-term quality of life for critical illness survivors.
• This review will provide a foundation for developing and implementing consistent PICS care protocols.