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Intensive Care

Not remembering what happened to you is very common

Patients' memories of Intensive Care can often be hazy or “jumbled”. It can be difficult to piece together what happened before being admitted to Intensive Care, and what happened while you were there. Some people remember only the end of their time in Intensive Care, while others remember almost nothing.

Some people are happy not to remember very much, but for others, "not knowing" can be upsetting. Some people are only ready to find out more in the weeks, months and sometimes years after getting home. Others just want to put it behind them. It's completely up to you whether or not you'd like to find out more about what happened in Intensive Care.

Having strange dreams or nightmares is very common

It's really common to have strange and sometimes frightening dreams or hallucinations (sometimes called "delirium"). They can seem so real that it can be difficult to work out whether they actually happened or not. Making sense of your time in Intensive Care can therefore be difficult. In this section, we've provided examples of other people's experiences, including easy to use links to other websites, where you can watch short video clips or listen to voice recordings from other patients.

Would you like to find out more about what happens in Intensive Care?

Some people find it helpful to "fill in the blanks". Others prefer to put it all behind them. There's no wrong or right, and it's completely up to you whether, when and how you want to find out more. In this section, we’ve provided some general information on common equipment and treatments, including how and why they’re used. We’ve also provided some information on routine care, the types of staff involved in your care and the sorts of things they will have done to help you.

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Web Link: Support and benefits for carers

This link will take you to the NHS page on support for carers. You'll find trustworthy information on carers' rights, carers' assessments, benefits for carers, breaks and respite care, and support for young carers.

Web Link: Support for carers when someone is dying or has died

Sadly, not everyone survives a stay in the Intensive Care Unit. This link will take you to the website of good life,good death and good grief. They are a group that brings together people and organisations that are interested in improving people’s experiences of death, dying and bereavement in Scotland. This link will take you directly to their pages on support for carers, although you may find other pages useful.We are very sorry for your loss.

Article: Supporting patients

The Intensive Care Unit can be a very strange and sometimes frightening place for patients, especially if they are starting to become more awake and more aware of their surroundings. Even when patients are unconscious (either due to their illness or the drugs we give them to keep them sleepy and comfortable), it is possible that they can feel and hear what is going on around them.For this reason,the nurses will tell the patient about everything they're doing and why. The...

External Video: Symptoms of Post Intensive Care Syndrome and Families

This video explains the symptoms of post intensive care syndrome, what families will experience and the types of support that are availble to patients and families

Web Link: Tests & treatments: find out more

This link will take you to the webpage of NHS Inform.Here, you'll find easily understandable information on common tests (eg blood tests, various types of scans, etc ), medical treatments and surgical procedures (everything from a knee replacement to heart surgery).

Web Link: Tests explained

This link will take you to Lab Tests Online, a UK-based group. You can find information on various conditions and tests. It's written in slightly technical language (even though it's designed for patients), but we hope you find it helpful.

Article: Things you can do to help

You might sometimes feel quite helpless when visiting your loved one in Intensive Care, but there's a lot you can do to help him or her. Research tells us that patients will often (but not always) remember your visits, and that family and friends are a real lifeline when trying to make sense of a very strange environment. Speak to him or her: Even when patients are deeply sedated or unconscious, they may well be able to hear and be comforted by a familiar voice. You might not know what...

Article: Ventilator or breathing machine

What is a ventilator? The ventilator is also sometimes called a breathing machine or life support machine. The ventilator is a machine that helps the patient to breathe while they are very ill or too sleepy to breathe by themselves e.g. after a general anaesthetic. How does a ventilator work? The ventilator or breathing machine is connected to the patient via a tubing system and a tube that is inserted into the patient's mouth and windpipe (a breathing tube, endotracheal or...

Article: Visiting the ICU

When can I visit? Different Units have different arrangements about visiting times.Ask the staff about any restrictions. They can usually be flexible,especially if your family member has just been admitted, is extremely well or is dying. Who can visit? Again,different Units have different rules about who can visit, although this is usually restricted to close family and friends. Different Units may have different rules about how many visitors the patient can have,whether...

Web Link: Visiting the Intensive Care Unit

This link will take you to the Healthtalkonline website and their page on the emotional impact of having a family member or friend in Intensive Care.You can watch short video clips or hear voice recordings of other people talking about their experiences.We hope you find it helpful to hear that you're not alone in what you're going through.