Aust Crit Care
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Intensive care follow-up clinics (ICFCs) have been implemented internationally with the aim to address the growing number of patients living with sequalae of critical illness and intensive care. However, data on Australian intensive care follow-up practice are rare. ⋯ In Australia, only two ICUs operated an ICFC. Only one outpatient follow-up service received dedicated funding, and financial constraints were the main reason given for units not offering outpatient follow-up services.
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Acute severe brain injury is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Patients and their families need accurate information regarding expected outcomes. Few studies have reported the long-term functional outcome of patients with acute severe brain injury treated in an Australian neurocritical care unit. ⋯ In this selected population, admission to a neurocritical care unit was associated with significant resource use. At 12 months after admission, almost half of those admitted to an Australian neurocritical unit with traumatic brain injury, subarachnoid haemorrhage and intracerebral haemorrhage report a good functional outcome.