As you recover, you may be moved to a different section of the ICU or to another area in the hospital, such as general care. When you are well enough, you will be discharged from the hospital to continue recovering at home.

Moving to another area of the hospital

When you are well enough, you may be moved to a step-down unit or general care area of the hospital. Moving out of the ICU may be a difficult time for you and loved ones. You won’t need the machines that supported your body while you were in the ICU. Nurses may not be right at your bedside all the time, and you don’t need to be monitored so closely. Sometimes you may need to wait. It is normal to feel scared

Although you need less monitoring, you’re still far from being well. You may need to learn how to do simple things again such as walking, eating, drinking, or even breathing for yourself. You may also have trouble sleeping. The members of your healthcare team will work with you to help you get well and become independent again.

When you move to another area of the hospital, your new healthcare team will get a detailed report that includes:

• a summary of your care and treatment while you were in the ICU
• a plan for ongoing treatment
• your rehabilitation needs for your body and mind

The new area of the hospital may have different visiting times than the ICU. Talk to the staff if you have any questions.

Going home

Leaving the hospital and going back home is a big step in your recovery. This is the goal you’ve been working toward for some time. It’s a positive step, and it will take time and effort to get back to your normal routine.

Before you leave the hospital, your healthcare team will give you instructions on how to look after yourself at home and what to watch for. If you have any questions talk to your healthcare team.

Your healthcare team will also check to see if you might face any challenges when you get home. This includes things like going up stairs, getting to your doctor’s office, and if you’ll need help to cook or go shopping. If you’ve been confused or find it hard to remember things, they’ll look into that as well. If you need more help at home your healthcare team can help you plan for and get the care and equipment you’ll need.

When you leave the hospital you may get:

• a letter that outlines your time and treatment in hospital – called a discharge summary
• a copy of your prescriptions for medicines you may need or changes to medicines you already have at home
• information about follow-up appointments or referrals you may need
• laboratory requisitions (lab order forms) for blood tests, x-rays, or other tests

Follow-up care

Make an appointment to see your family doctor within a few weeks of getting out of the hospital. Your family doctor will get a copy of your discharge summary. If they’re in Alberta, they will be able to see the results of tests and procedures you had while you were in hospital.

If you have complex medical needs, you may go to a follow-up outpatient clinic where a doctor or nurse practitioner will see you. If your community doesn’t have this type of clinic, your family doctor will provide the ongoing care you need.

Some ICUs in Alberta have you meet with a member of your ICU healthcare team 2 to 3 months after discharge. You’ll tell them how you’re doing and talk about any issues you’ve had with your body or mental health. You may get a referral to other services if needed.

If ICU healthcare team follow-up isn’t offered in your community, talk to your family doctor about how you’re feeling and any concerns you have.