More than 4 million adults survive a stay in the intensive care unit each year, with many experiencing new or worsening physical disability, mental health problems, and/or cognitive impairments, known as post-intensive care syndrome (PICS). Given the prevalence and magnitude of physical impairments after critical illness, many survivors, including those recovering from COVID-19, could benefit from physical therapist services after hospital discharge. However, due to the relatively recent recognition and characterization of PICS, there may be limited awareness and understanding of PICS among physical therapists practicing in home health care and community-based settings. This lack of awareness may lead to inappropriate and/or inadequate rehabilitation service provision. While this perspective article provides information relevant to all physical therapists, it is aimed toward those providing rehabilitation services outside of the acute and postacute inpatient settings. This article reports the prevalence and clinical presentation of PICS and provides recommendations for physical examination and outcomes measures, plan of care, and intervention strategies. The importance of providing patient and family education, coordinating community resources including referring to other health care team members, and community-based rehabilitation service options is emphasized. Finally, this perspective article discusses current challenges for optimizing outcomes for people with PICS and suggests future directions for research and practice.

Extensive multidimensional KTAs were feasible in inpatient rehabilitation and were accompanied by a moderate increase in documented and self-reported frequency of NSGT attempts. Clinical teams may benefit from adopting KTAs that best support clinical practice change.

Survivors of critical illness, including those with COVID-19, are likely to experience post-intensive care syndrome (PICS). PICS involves a constellation of physical, cognitive, and mental health problems that can occur following hospitalization in an intensive care unit (ICU). This focused review describes the impact of PICS on an individual’s function, societal participation, and family. Specific evidence-based screening tools for in-home identification of the deficits associated with PICS are recommended. Recognition of PICS through early screening by home health care providers is crucial in order to assemble the physical rehabilitation, mental health, and community resources needed to mitigate the long-term effects of COVID-19 and other critical illnesses. This review concludes with further PICS resources for community-based providers to enhance their knowledge and expertise and to prepare them for caring for COVID-19 and other critical illness survivors.

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