Exploring the role of a care co-ordinator for Intensive Care Unit survivors

In Australia, few critical care physiotherapy advanced practice roles exist. These are limited to technical skills and based in the ICU setting only – for example, lung ultrasound and bronchoscopies.

The advanced practice role I am to research is a care navigator role that improves integration of care for Intensive Care Unit Survivors as they transition from the ICU to ward and hospital to home. Many survivors suffer long-term physical, cognitive and functional impairments (PICS) and as such re-hospitalisation from  is very common. Currently, no existing roles span ‘the arc of care’ for this complex and vulnerable cohort. In this thesis I aim to create and pilot this role and provide insight into patient, family and hospital system outcomes.