Impact of a Virtual ICU Recovery Clinic in Saskatchewan, Canada

Introduction: Many ICU survivors struggle with post-intensive care syndrome (PICS) and chronic health issues post-discharge. In Saskatchewan, >50% of the population lives rurally, making follow-up care difficult. The Virtual ICU Recovery Clinic (VIRC) was piloted to provide comprehensive, multidisciplinary care to ICU survivors, using virtual care including telehealth and phone visits.


Methods: The VIRC recruited ICU survivors in Regina, Saskatchewan from June 2022-June 2023. They were followed for 180 days post-discharge. The VIRC multidisciplinary team included a physician, pharmacist, and clinical psychologist. We evaluated emergency department (ED) visits, hospital, and ICU readmissions; health-related quality of life; clinic interventions; and satisfaction with the clinic.


Results: As follow-up is still underway, we present an interim analysis. We recruited 68 patients, with a median age 61 years (IQR 50-70), clinical frailty score 4 (IQR 3-5), SOFA score admission 11 (IQR 8-12), ICU length of stay 6 days (IQR 4-13) and hospital length of stay 19 (IQR 10-43) days. 50% were female, 49% lived >50 km from Regina, and 78% had a family physician. Of the 33 patients who were seen in the clinic so far, nine (27%) have had ED visits, with five (15%) requiring hospital readmission and two (6%) requiring ICU readmission, by time of clinic visit. Median EQ-5D-5L and EQ-VAS scores at time of clinic visit were 0.84 (IQR 0.64-0.96) and 70 (IQR 55-75). Of those working prior to hospitalization, only 20% had returned to work by the time of the clinic visit. In terms of clinic interventions, 34% were determined to have PICS symptoms and were newly referred onto Clinical Psychology, 12% were newly referred to physiotherapy, and 76% were seen by the Clinical Pharmacist. Of the nine patients who completed all visits and consented to a post-clinic survey, 100% agreed/strongly agreed that the clinic was useful in their care, 78% agreed/strongly agreed that the clinic would keep them out of hospital and 71% agreed/strongly agreed that the virtual technology was easy to use.


Conclusions: An ICU recovery clinic could potentially be delivered virtually, with potential impacts on post-ICU care. ICU survivors were in general satisfied with the provision of post-ICU care and the use of virtual technology.