The European Reality Regarding ICU Follow Up Clinics: A Systematic Review

IntroductionThe ICU Follow up Clinics support and treat adult patients in the community in order to cover the needs that occur after their discharge from the ICU at the hospital. AimTo study the effectiveness and the way of the ICU Follow up Clinic operation management for adult patients after their discharge from the hospital. MethodsA search was performed on the Greek and international literature, as well as at the online Databases PubMed, Cochrane, EMBASE and Google Scholar. Exclusion and integration criteria were set for the studies found, and a flow chart was created for the studies included. ResultsThrough the search, 30 articles were found matching the subject under study, and after further evaluation, seven articles were included. The majority of the articles highlight the importance of these services at the patients follow-up after discharge. More specifically, through these services, the mortality rate, the risk of recurrence, and the readmission risk are decreased as well as the patients mental health is improved. ConclusionsThe main aim of these Services is the follow-up of the adult patients after discharge, the consultation, and the application of therapeutic protocols in order to face the primary pathological cause, as well as matters that occurred as a result of the hospitalization. At the same time, they can help to detect the needs of the patients that occurred after the discharge so that finally, improve the care given and the patients outcome.