Ensuring patients’ successful recovery in the intensive care unit (ICU) requires an immense collective effort from the care team, family members, and the patients themselves. While surviving an ICU experience is worth celebrating, it’s essential to recognize that these patients’ recovery journey does not end when they’re discharged from the unit. A holistic approach to care and ongoing support that maximizes ICU survivors’ ability to reach their baseline level often requires leveraging family, societal, and system resources.

The ATS 2025 International Conference will host the scientific symposium, “Nursing Year in Review – The Complexity of Surviving ICU Experience: Patients, Caregivers, and Community Members,” from 2:15 to 3:45 p.m. PT, Monday, May 19, in the Moscone Center, Room 3020 (West Building, Level 3). The session serves as a forum to disseminate and discuss the complex dynamics and consequences of surviving ICU experiences from the perspective of patients, caregivers, and post-ICU community providers.

“Back in the day, up to 65 percent of patients would die if they went to the ICU. We’ve spent decades improving the technology in the ICU to the point that now almost 80 percent of patients survive in the ICU,” explained Tammy Eaton, PhD, MSc, RN, FNP-BC, ACHPN, FCCM, research assistant professor in the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Michigan and Nursing Year in Review session co-chair. “Now, we have to shift our focus from just trying to keep patients alive and consider the long-term effects, such as physical and psychological dysfunction, issues like financial toxicity, or the ability to return to work once the patients are discharged.”

The session will begin with an overview of the current state of ICU and post-ICU care to identify evidence-based best practices to proactively mitigate some of the downstream effects of an ICU stay. The presentation will also explore findings related to post-ICU care. Dr. Eaton highlighted that this was a particularly interesting topic because there is currently no “gold standard” due to the heterogeneity of current critical care models.

“Even though this is coming from the Nursing Assembly, these research and clinical data are very interdisciplinary,” Dr. Eaton said. “This is not just nursing specific; it’s critical illness survivor specific, which takes a concerted interdisciplinary effort.”

The session will then examine various post-ICU symptoms that patients experience, which providers must monitor. Session co-chair Tania Von Visger, PhD, ATSF, PCCN, assistant professor at the University at Buffalo School of Nursing, spotlighted post-intensive care syndrome (PICS), which can present itself through various physical, psychological, or emotional symptoms. Health care providers must address these symptoms through proactive planning and community resources.

“These conditions are complex not only because of the potential pathophysiologic effects but also because of the effects they can have on people other than the patient, such as their family unit, as well as other considerations, including financial challenges,” Dr. Von Visger explained.

Attendees will learn about implementing effective strategies for post-ICU support, including peer support programs and specialty post-ICU clinics.

“There are also care models worth exploring that follow patients through transitions of care to optimize their outcomes after the ICU,” Dr. Eaton said.

The session will also feature an important discussion on supporting bereaved survivors who have lost a loved one in the ICU. Drs. Eaton and Von Visger both emphasized the essential role families or loved ones play in ICU patients’ journeys and the importance of ensuring they’re supported through the roller coaster of emotions associated with a traumatic experience, such as an ICU stay, particularly if that loved one wasn’t able to recover.

“This is another complex topic because there’s no universal rule to reference,” Dr. Von Visger said. “Every family is unique, and our culture is very individualistic. Sometimes, we don’t focus on that aspect in care enough, leading to unintended consequences.”

For the full list of sessions organized by the ATS Assembly on Nursing, visit ATSConference365.