The Role of Physical Therapy in the Intensive Care Unit

Abstract

Recent years have seen intensive development of ICU treatment protocols. Today it is possible to treat patients who in the past would not have had a chance of survival. People under the care of the unit typically suffer from cardiovascular or respiratory failure. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to discuss the basic techniques used by physiotherapeutic staff and the contribution they make to the treatment of patients at the ICU. In our article, we analyzed the risks associated with long-term hospitalization and the characteristics of the ICU patient, and presented the ways in which a physical therapist can improve the patient’s health. We have identified the main goals of ICU physical therapy and specified the intention with which specific physiotherapeutic procedures are introduced. The physical therapist should be part of a medical team whose goal is for the patient recover as quickly as possible. The role of the physical therapist in the ICU is not only to help the patient to improve in the shortest time possible, but also to prevent the undesirable effects of hypokinesia and long-term treatment in the ICU.