COVID-19 and Post-Intensive Care Syndrome

As much as we all want to close our eyes and be far away from the COVID-19 pandemic, we know that the end isn’t in sight. It’s apparent that more than ever we need to care for one another and be aware that some people may have lasting symptoms from COVID-19. From the rehabilitative stand-point we are aware that a portion of patients who live through intensive care treatment in hospitals will have lasting symptoms after discharge. These collective symptoms are called “Post-Intensive Care Syndrome” or PICS.

Physical symptoms of PICS range from reduced balance, reduced respiratory function, reduced muscle strength, and impeded gait speed. It’s imperative that patients with PICS receive the rehabilitative care needed to return to daily living. Studies show that for some patients recovery post ICU-discharge may take 6 months to a year. This is not a new condition that has arisen because of COVID-19, rather it’s something that patients have experienced after being on a ventilator, for whatever reason, for any given amount of time.

At I CAN PT, we spend at least an hour with each patient, discussing any concerns they may have and evaluating any changes that occurred since the last therapy visit. Treating patients with PICS, like most conditions, are not treated out of a textbook. Each individual is going to need something different from the next and we do our best to evaluate and adjust treatment plans based on those assessments, no matter the condition a patient has.

If you want to know more about PICS, follow the links below:

https://doi.org/10.1093/ptj/pzaa059

http://www.buffalo.edu/ubnow/stories/2020/05/ohtake-pt-covid.html

 

Physical Therapy Deemed an Essential Service

We understand that Governor Brad Little has ordered a shelter in place, effective immediately (3/25/2020) for the next 21 days. These are uncertain times and we have had quite a few people already ask if we are deemed an essential service. The U.S. Dept of Homeland Security has deemed Physical Therapy service essential, and we do have a responsibility to our patients, and future patients, to try and maintain our business hours the best that we can.

Until further notice we will be open for treatment on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 7 am – 6 pm. On Tuesdays and Thursdays no patients will be seen in the clinic, but staff will be available to answer your questions via telephone from 9 am – 5 pm. If you are thinking about cancelling your appointment because you are quarantining yourself, or if you are sick, please try to give us 24 hours notice. We have reduced our patient load significantly and there are patients who are in need of physical therapy and cannot be seen immediately due to our strict schedule. If you cancel without ample notice, we will be unable to fit someone in that vacant slot. However, if you develop any flu-like or cold-like symptoms (cough, fever, shortness of breath, throwing up) please cancel your appointment no matter how short of notice it may be.

If you would like to see the post from the U.S. Dept of Homeland Security here is a link: https://www.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/publications/CISA-Guidance-on-Essential-Critical-Infrastructure-Workers-1-20-508c.pdf?fbclid=IwAR1nrXpoPEIg40jdn4UH-k_TTeZK8-SAP4SyDtWc85xnicLOTjz1tN6O-4E 

If anyone has questions or concerns please call us at 208-789-0200.  And in honor of J.R.R. Tolkein day, here are some words to chew on, “The world is indeed full of peril, and in it there are many dark places; but still there is much that is fair, and through in all lands love is now mingled with grief, it grows perhaps the greater.” -J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring