Implementation of post-intensive care follow-up in an intensive care unit : summary of French national guidelines and insights from a roundtable of experts

Abstract

French national guidelines on diagnosis and management of post-intensive care syndrome (PICS) have been published in June 2023 by the Haute Autorité de Santé (HAS). In line with international guidelines, the HAS recommends systematic post-intensive care unit (ICU) follow-up for at-risk patients, to facilitate early identification and referral to appropriate care networks. Ideally, follow-up should be multidisciplinary and should involve or even be coordinated by the ICU team. Follow-up should notably include a systematic outpatient review during a dedicated post-ICU visit, taking place several months after discharge.

ICU follow-up is still underdeveloped in France and a minority of ICUs offer dedicated consultations. Within the framework of these recent guidelines, it seems relevant for ICUs to further develop follow-up.   However, setting up a post-ICU clinic raises organizational difficulties, which are scarcely addressed in available guidelines. This article provides a summary of French national guidelines on post-ICU care and integrates feedback and expert insights on practical set up of post-ICU follow-up structures from a round table discussion which took place during the first national conference dedicated to PICS.