Functional outcomes of patients in ICU using the Chelsea Critical Care Physical Assessment tool: An integrative review.
Lebogang C Tjale, Silmara G Hanekom, Nombeko Mshunqane
PMID 38059060WHAT IT FOUND
The Chelsea Critical Care Physical Assessment tool reliably measures physical and respiratory function in ICU patients.
It correlates with discharge location and helps plan rehabilitation. However, using it did not reduce the length of stay in the ICU or hospital.
Key findings
01The tool demonstrates good reliability and validity across multiple languages and settings, with high inter-rater agreement.
02Higher scores at ICU discharge are associated with patients returning home, while lower scores correlate with longer hospital stays.
03Adding the tool to standard physiotherapy practice improved assessment accuracy but did not significantly change the length of stay in the ICU or hospital.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The review included only 11 studies, which limits the generalisability of the findings. Many of the included studies were from specific populations (e.g., burns, trauma, surgical), and results may not apply to all ICU patients. The search was limited to articles published between 2013 and 2023. One key study on clinical outcomes had a small sample size (26 participants). The review did not include studies on high-care settings, only ICU settings.
Declared interests
No specific funding sources or conflicts of interest are declared in the provided text.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that implementing this assessment tool will reduce your patients' length of stay. The evidence shows it improves assessment accuracy and planning, but it did not shorten the duration of ICU or hospital admission.