The journey towards recovery after intensive care
One of the key, new challenges for healthcare professionals within both hospital and community settings is how to manage COVID-19 patients who are being discharged from ICU after stays of up to 2 weeks, sometimes longer (compared with a previous, pre-COVID-19 average of 2-3 days),1,2 this presents new and challenging health issues to manage.
Studies have shown that patients can lose up to 1kg of muscle (‘lean body mass’ vs body fat) for every day in ICU.4 This loss of strength can have a negative impact on both their ability to fight other infections, as well as lengthening the recovery process.5,6 This can lead to patients needing more care and support when they return home.
Muscle wasting is the most common complication of critical illness, occurring in up to 50% of patients, and is associated with functional disability3
The power of nutrition
Patients admitted to ICU may have already benefitted from nutitional support to help reduce muscle loss and maintain their nutritional status.7
Medical nutrition that is high in protein and energy is particularly important for maintaining and/or rebuilding muscle and is linked to improved survival rates and a fewer health complications. 5,8-10