A medical patient only visits the ICU under severe circumstances. While this means that he or she is likely in a medical crisis of some sort, studies show that the ICU experience itself has long-term effects on the body and brain. Patients who undergo such treatment have a higher risk of delirium later in life.
ICU patients undergo emergency surgeries and are often incapacitated as their body recovers from the ordeal. The intent is to repair damage to the body and to heal, but there are consequences to extreme medical treatment. Studies show progress in reducing the delirium concern by 25 to 30 percent, according to an NPR story about new medical procedures.
Reliance on medication and hardware
A doctor at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s “ABCDEF bundle” is a checklist of activities that focus on individual recovery. It emphasizes a holistic approach and less reliance on drugs. Using data from ICU patients, the doctor says that patients recover more thoroughly when they come out of sedation and off breathing machines earlier in the process. Requiring patients to get out of bed and move around, plus more visitation with loved ones, improves their overall health.
A professional standard of care
The Vanderbilt doctor believes that treating patients more as individuals and less like numbers has true scientific benefits when it comes to medical recovery. In today’s health care industry, many people fall through the cracks and do not receive an adequate standard of care.
Medical malpractice leads to many serious, long-term health effects that are not only painful and debilitating, but that require a change of occupation and lifestyle. The wide-reaching negative effects of improper health care impact every part of daily life, from getting out of bed in the morning to maintaining healthy relationships with friends and family. Anyone on the receiving end of such care should consult with an attorney to investigate if you are the victim of medical malpractice.