PHYSIOTHERAPIST !
We Are Participating In Recovery From Corona
In the current crisis period, it is easy to assign low priority to the long-term effects of hospital admission on patients with the corona virus.
Given the large numbers of patients with the corona virus in intensive care units in the all over world, we can also expect an increase in the number of patients needing rehabilitation following admission to an intensive-care unit. These following steps are helpful in patient recovery.
Phase 1: Patient in the intensive-care unit receiving ventilation in the prone position
This phase is very critical and no physiotherapy treatment given, due to the scarcity of personal protective equipment and the risk of virus transmission. Although patients lose a great deal of muscle mass in this phase, the risk of contractures (the shortening of muscles or tendons, leading to limitations in motion) is low. Nurses could possibly exercise the joints passively.
Phase 2: Patient in the intensive-care unit whose condition has improved
In this phase, the patient is recovering. The patient is eligible for physical therapy to promote early mobilization and activation, but is not yet disconnected from the ventilator. It is obviously important to observe infection-prevention measures.
Phase 3: Recovery after intensive care
At first, patients in this group have little energy. People on bed rest for the entire day lose about 5% of their total muscle mass and general condition each day. These patients are given exercises aimed at improving lung function by strengthening the respiratory muscles, coughing up sputum more effectively and breathing more deeply, thereby improving the ventilation of the lungs. They are also given motion exercises.
Phase 4: Follow-up program
Patients who have been seriously ill need intensive rehabilitation care, even after they have been discharged from the hospital. Following intensive-care treatment, patients may experience respiratory problems resulting from long-term physical inactivity due to illness. This condition is known as “post-intensive care syndrome” (PICS).
Recovery can take months, or even years, and proper guidance is needed. Between this period patient should take proper healthy diet and busy to completed tasks. Walking jogging active exercises and Pranayam also play a vital role in patient recovery.