Postintensive care unit follow-up general health survey: A cross-sectional study in a tertiary academic hospital

Abstract

Background: Despite the tremendous efforts regarding post hospital discharge services, the literature regarding health status, social and medical support of ICU survivors in Saudi Arabia is very limited. The main aim of our study is to conduct a general survey to describe health, medical and social status of ICU survivors. Methods: This was a cross- sectional study conducted at a tertiary academic center in Saudi Arabia. The phone survey has been conducted by the study investigators after getting a verbal consent for participation. A list of patients who were discharged from the hospital after an intensive care unit's admission from January 2018 to December 2018 was obtained. Results: Majority of our participants have no issues in concentration and only small percentage reported that they experience one or more of anxiety, depression, despair, and blue mood. A larger percentage of our subjects were satisfied by the support they received from their relatives, social support, and access to medical services. Conclusion: ICU survivors discharged from one center in Saudi Arabia reported great general health and satisfied by social and medical support but functional and mental status and multidisciplinary team approach worth further investigations.