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Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Society

The Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Society (ANZICS) advocates for the intensive care community to improve the health outcomes of patients, families, care givers and health care professionals.

ANZICS is a member-based, non-for-profit organisation that works closely with key decision-makers in the healthcare sector, including government/non-government agencies, regulators and healthcare providers.

Through committees and special interest groups, the Society supports diverse service portfolios including clinical quality registries, clinical research, and facilitation of health initiatives in resource limited locations. ANZICS represents professional advocacy and provides educational offerings for intensive care clinicians as well as initiatives to support their welfare.

ANZICS provides accurate and timely information on all issues related to the provision of intensive care services across Australia and New Zealand to ensure the community is well-informed and provided with trusted advice.

Vision and Mission

Leading excellence in Intensive Care.

ANZICS aims to achieve the best possible outcomes for patients and their families by advancing intensive care practice.

ANZICS values integrity, respect, inclusiveness, collaboration, excellence and innovation.

How ANZICS can help

ANZICS supports the My Life After ICU website which aims to assist people who have spent time as a patient in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU). For many people, particularly those who have experienced a prolonged ICU stay, a variety of physical and/or psychological health problems may persist for weeks and months after going home.

Information published on the site helps to inform about these health challenges and provide helpful resources to assist recovery. The content has been developed by intensive care doctors, nurses and allied health professionals, as well as patients who share their personal stories.

ANZICS fully supports strategies to improve the health literacy of the community and to actively involve patients and care givers to receive timely, targeted and accurate information relating to the practice of Intensive Care medicine.

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Last reviewed: November 2024

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Found 52 results

Intra-aortic (heart) balloon pump - My Life After ICU

The aorta is the largest blood vessel in the body. The “intra-aortic balloon pump” is a long thin balloon. It is placed in the aorta and helps control blood flow. The aorta carries oxygenated blood from the heart to the body. The balloon pump pushes some of the oxygenated blood back to the arteries that […]

Read more on ANZICS website

Memories, hallucinations and delirium - My Life After ICU

Looking back at your time in ICU, you may have some memories of experiences of things that did not make sense when you were very ill. You may also have a hard time telling what was real or not. Some of these memories and experiences may have been very frightening. You may have felt that […]

Read more on ANZICS website

Mental health support - My Life After ICU

Returning home after ICU is a positive milestone. At the same time, returning home can be challenging for patients and families. Some people feel depressed and frustrated. Recovery might be slower than expected. Life might look different. Some patients will be managing a disability. Some may be grieving for the person they were before their […]

Read more on ANZICS website

Monitor, devices and alarms - My Life After ICU

Monitor The screen near the patient’s bed is called a monitor. It displays information such as: heart rate, heart rhythm, blood pressure, oxygen and carbon dioxide levels. Sometimes it is used to monitor brain pressure. Devices from the patient's body send information to the monitor. Devices Some devices send information from body surfaces. Two common […]

Read more on ANZICS website

Nightmares and flashbacks - My Life After ICU

Many people who have been extremely unwell in ICU experience mental health issues after going home. You may experience nightmares and flashbacks about your time on ICU. You may also experience feelings of overwhelming worry, anxiety and fear. You may feel like you want to run away. You may find yourself getting angry easily. Nightmares […]

Read more on ANZICS website

Nitric oxide machine - My Life After ICU

Nitric oxide is a gas. When nitric oxide gets to the lungs it relaxes the blood vessels. This makes the blood vessels widen and helps the lungs to get more oxygen. Nitric oxide also helps reduce strain on the right side of the heart which pumps blood to the lungs. A nitric oxide machine works […]

Read more on ANZICS website

Nutrition through the bloodstream (parenteral nutrition, TPN) - My Life After ICU

Many patients are unable to eat on ICU. In some very sick patients, the bowel can not cope with any food at all. When this happens nutrition can be given through the bloodstream. It is called “parenteral” nutrition or “Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN)”. Usually the digestive system breaks food down. It is made into smaller […]

Read more on ANZICS website

Post-COVID Conditions - My Life After ICU

Some patients who have been unwell with COVID-19 are going on to have persistent symptoms after going home. These symptoms may go on for many months. This doesn't just happen to those who require ICU care. “Post-COVID Condition” means having symptoms for more than 4 weeks after getting the virus that causes COVID-19. It can […]

Read more on ANZICS website

Post-Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS) - My Life After ICU

We know more now about what happens for patients who have been critically ill requiring ICU care. Many patients develop persistent health problems after ICU. Some patients experience symptoms for weeks, months and even years after ICU. The name given to these persistent symptoms is “Post-Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS)”. About half of the patients surviving […]

Read more on ANZICS website

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) - My Life After ICU

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is often linked with assault survivors or military veterans. We now know it can also affect people who have had serious illnesses requiring intensive care. Patients with PTSD experience strong feelings and emotions related to a past traumatic event. These strong feelings and emotions are usually triggered by something. Because of […]

Read more on ANZICS website

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