VDM Kvåle, R: Long-term outcomes after intensive care

Intensive care patients constitute a heterogeneous group, but they have in common that they suffer from imminent or established failure of vital organ functions. Modern intensive care is costly and labor demanding, but the hospital survival rates of patients have increased to 70-80%. So what happens to these survivors after hospital discarge? Is there a life after intensive care? There certainly is for the majority of patients. This book gives an overview of survival, recovery, functional status and quality of life up to several years after intensive care. These parameters are of course of major importance to patients and their families and relatives, but also to health care workers and authorities. Recommended tools for measurement of these outcomes are presented, and certain areas of concern and possible interventions are pointed out.