Donna Prentice, PhD, CNS, FCCM
Research Scientist
Barnes-Jewish Hospital
Saint Louis, MO
Disclosure information not submitted.
Beth Taylor, DCN, RD-AP,FCCM
Research Scientist
Barnes-Jewish Hospital
Maryville, Illinois
Disclosure information not submitted.
Heidi Tymkew, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist
Barnes-Jewish Hospital
St. Louis, Missouri, United States
Disclosure information not submitted.
Britney Rufkar, MSW, LSW
Social Work
Barnes-Jewish Hospital
St. Louis, Missouri, United States
Disclosure information not submitted.
Jamie Archer, MOT, OTR/L
Occupational Therapy
Barnes-Jewish Hospital, United States
Disclosure information not submitted.
Patricia Nellis, OTD, OTR/L
Occupational Therapy
Barnes-Jewish Hospital, United States
Disclosure information not submitted.
Kevin Betthauser, PharmD, BCCCP
PharmD, BCCCP
Barnes Jewish Hospital, United States
Disclosure information not submitted.
Bryan Lizza, MS, PharmD, BCCCP
PharmD, BCCCP
Barnes Jewish Hospital, United States
Disclosure information not submitted.
Sarah Smith, PhD, MD
Physician
Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, United States
Disclosure information not submitted.
Christopher Palmer, MD, FCCM
Washington University in Saint Louis School of Medicine
Saint Louis, MO
Disclosure information not submitted.
Title: Patient Memories from the Intensive Care Unit following COVID-19
Introduction/Hypothesis: Up to 75% of intensive care unit (ICU) patients will develop post ICU syndrome (PICS) which can result in cognitive, physical, and mental impairments. COVID-19 patients were not allowed visitors which could increase the risk of PICS. Memories from the ICU can be absent, factual, or delusional. Delusional memories and nightmares can impact recovery of patients. As part of a virtual PICS clinic feasibility study, we evaluated memory using the ICU Memory Tool.
Methods: Prospective observational study. Following consent, patients completed the ICU Memory Tool® via a REDCap® link upon enrollment and again at 3 months. Memories were described as factual, feelings, and or delusional. Descriptive statistics were completed.
Results: Fourteen COVID-19 patients completed the survey and attended the PICS virtual clinic. The majority of patients were female (9/64%) with a mean age of 62.5 (±10.9; range 43 to 80) years, average hospital length of stay was 18.7 (±9.2, range 8 to 33) days with a discharge location of home (8/57%). Patients reported an average of 7.6 (±5.5, range 2 to 18) factual memories, average of 3.5 (±2,2, range 0 to 7) feelings, and an average of 2.8 (±2.8, range 0 to 8) delusional memories. One patient (7%) reported no memories of feelings and 2 (14%) patients reported no delusional memories. Fifty percent of patients described feelings of panic and 8 patients (57%) described having intrusive memories.
Conclusions: Patients report a variety of memories following an ICU stay. While some of those memories are factual, a large portion are delusional memories with patients reporting panic and intrusive memories after discharge from the hospital. Clinicians should be prepared to discuss ICU memories and provide counselling support as indicated.