Prevalence and characteristics of intensive care unit follow-up services in Australia and New Zealand: A binational survey.

BACKGROUND

Survivors of an intensive care unit (ICU) admission frequently experience long-term physical, cognitive, and psychological challenges. ICU follow-up services may be an important mechanism to address post-ICU morbidity, but services in Australia and New Zealand are poorly defined.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and characteristics of ICU follow-up services in Australia and New Zealand.

METHODS

A cross-sectional online survey, open from February to August 2025, was distributed via email to ICU medical directors across 227 public and private ICUs in Australia and New Zealand, with follow-up phone calls at 3 months. The survey comprised questions on timing, frequency, methods of delivery, professionals involved, outcome measures utilised, and barriers and enablers to ICU follow-up service provision. Questions were predominantly close ended with predefined response options, with some allowing additional free-text responses. Data were number (%). Free-text responses were analysed descriptively and grouped into existing or newly generated categories where appropriate.

RESULTS

Of a possible 227 ICUs, 83 participated (37% response rate). Although 67 sites (81%) acknowledged the importance of follow-up services, only 24 (29%) offered such a service for patients and 21 (25%) for caregivers. Referral timing varied from during hospital admission to 6 months post discharge. Follow-up was predominantly nurse led (n = 13, 48%) and mostly delivered face-to-face (n = 13, 48%). Only seven (27%) of ICUs collected patient-related outcome data, with a wide variety of tools used. The primary barriers to providing follow-up were funding (n = 62, 75%) and limited ICU clinicians to staff a follow-up service (n = 53, 64%).

CONCLUSIONS

Approximately a third of participating ICUs in Australia and New Zealand had a follow-up service, limited by financial and ICU clinician staffing constraints. Where follow-up was provided, service characteristics varied greatly. Further data to identify effective models of ICU follow-up care will improve the consistency, equitability, and impact of post-ICU support.