Muscle weakness, memory problems, depression, insomnia, physical pain, nightmares. These are just a few examples of the problems that patients may experience following critical illness. Symptoms such as these which affect emotional, physical, and cognitive health are now being recognized as Post Intensive Care Syndrome, or PICS. Efforts to educate health care providers, patients, and families about Post Intensive Care Syndrome are underway. Explore our site to learn more about PICS.

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Mayo Clinic ICU Recovery Program

Recovering from a critical illness/injury is hard - really hard. And doing it alone without guidance from healthcare professionals who understand what you are going through and the challenges you face, can make it even more difficult. That is why Mayo Clinic has developed the Mayo Clinic ICU Recovery Program - or MCIRP for short. This program has been designed to make sure that patients who have been critically ill/injured, along with their loved ones, never have to do this alone.

The MCIRP is a team made up of nurses, doctors, pharmacists, occupational therapists, social workers and other key specialists who focus on helping people recover to their fullest potential.

This program includes educational initiatives, guided recovery through Mayo Clinic's Connected Care programs, an online support group, and a fully virtual outpatient follow up clinic.

Educational Initiatives

Right here on Mayo Clinic Connect there are many ways to learn more about recovery from critical illness. This resource is open to anyone wanting to learn more about post ICU recovery.

Just click this link to start exploring: Post ICU Recovery Blog

Connected Care

Mayo Clinic patients who have been critically ill may be eligible to participate in the following program that has been developed to guide people through their recovery.

Interactive Care Plan: This plan lets patients manage their recovery through the use of an app available online or via mobile device. The Interactive Care Plan provides a two-way communication platform that keeps patients engaged in their recovery while providing the MCIRP team with critical data to help them monitor the patient. This program is open to current Mayo patients who meet program criteria.

Online Support Group

Connecting with others who have experienced critical illness/injury can be profoundly helpful in the healing process. It is powerful for many to know that they are not alone in their recovery and others find sharing their story to be incredibly healing. That is why we have created an online space for people to come together and share their stories. This resource is open to anyone wanting to share in the healing.

Click here to join: Mayo Clinic Post-ICU Online Support Group

Outpatient follow-up Clinic

Mayo Clinic has developed an ICU follow-up clinic dedicated to the recovery of individuals who have been critically ill. A specialized team of healthcare professionals provides a comprehensive evaluation that focuses on the whole person, identifying any difficulties that may exist with the mind, body, or emotions. If indicated, additional Mayo Clinic specialists are consulted to address any areas of need which will lead to the best path for recovery.

Examples of services offered at the ICU follow-up clinic include but are not limited to:

  • Medication therapy management
  • Occupational therapy assessment
  • Comprehensive medical evaluation
  • Debriefing of the ICU stay
  • Support group participation

Examples of specialty referrals made by the clinic include but are not limited to:

  • Psychology/psychiatry
  • Occupational Medicine return to work program
  • Physical therapy
  • Speech language pathology
  • Nutrition
  • Neurology

Clinic appointments are available for current Mayo Clinic patients who have experienced critical illness/injury and are eligible for follow-up as determined by the MCIRP team.