Evaluation of the functional independence of patients after discharge from Intensive Care

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the level of functional independence of patients in the periods before and 7, 15, 30 and 60 days after ICU admission as to personal care, mobility, locomotion and communication. Methods: During the months of June and July of 2010, a prospective longitudinal study assessed the Functional Independence Measure (FIM), in the form of a questionnaire. Results: The total FIM score for the sample before discharge from the ICU was 126.0; and at 7, 15, 30 and 60 days, the scores were 51.7 (p<0.0001), 80.0 (p=0.0026), 112.0 (p=0.0358) and 125.0, respectively. Conclusion: These results showed a significant reduction in the functional independence of patients evaluated on the day after ICU discharge. The reduction remained significant until day 30, with recovery being observed on the 60th day of evaluation.