Physiotherapists
There is a physiotherapy service for all patients on in Critical Care. A team of physiotherapists will assess each patient on a daily basis to identify any areas that may benefit from treatment.
This may include:
• Listening to the chest and clearing the lungs
• Maintaining a range of limb movements and mobility in bed, such as stretches and splinting
• Strengthening exercises and facilitating mobility, such as transferring to a chair and aiding walking
It may come as a surprise to some people that while patients are so unwell they have physiotherapy—however it is at this time that it is so important for patients to be stimulated, as this plays a vital part in the recovery process.
Not every patient will require the same amount of input—some patients will just have a daily review, whereas others may receive treatment several times a day. It is the role of the physiotherapist to determine how much input is appropriate for each patient. Sometimes it is useful to get relatives to encourage and help carry out exercises with the patient.
If you have any questions regarding the physiotherapy service for patients, please speak to the nurse in charge who will contact the physiotherapy team.
Pharmacist
In Critical Care patients receive a lot of drugs. The role of the pharmacist is to ensure that patients are given appropriate medicines, the unit has an adequate supply, and to answer any questions staff have relating to medications.
Dietitian
The dietitian plays a vital role in ensuring the patient receives adequate calories to fight infection and their critical illness.
Speech and Language Therapist
The role of the Speech and Language Therapist in Critical Care is to assess and treat eating and swallowing problems that critically ill patients may have. They also help with communication.