THE NEED
Communication
Communication barriers in ICU and ventilated patients, especially those who are intubated or sedated, present significant challenges.
For medical teams, this lack of communication complicates the assessment and treatment of patients. ICU patients often struggle to express their needs and symptoms, leading to feelings of isolation and frustration.
These patients are also at high risk of developing delirium, a severe brain dysfunction marked by confusion and cognitive decline, which is associated with higher morbidity, longer hospital stays, increased costs, and long-term cognitive impairments.
Patients in the ICU per year
USA
6 Million
United Kingdom
200,000
Denmark
33,000
Netherlands
70,000
Germany
2 Million
France
200,000
Spain
240,000
Saudi Arabia
160,000
ICU communication is challenging, particularly among
mechanically ventilated patients.
Medical staff also express frustration, when treating patients with limited communication capacities.
Impaired communication is associated with anxiety, cognitive decline and Delirium risk factors.
The inability to communicate while on mechanical ventilation is identified as the most distressing symptom reported by ICU patients.
Suddenly she opened her eyes and responded, she smiled at me and looked happy, it was amazing!
Patient’s sister
ICU DELIRIUM
ICU delirium is a critical concern in healthcare, associated with prolonged hospitalization, increased healthcare costs, and higher mortality. The hallmark features of delirium include an acute onset and a fluctuating course, altered levels of consciousness, cognitive disturbances affecting attention, an altered sleep-wake cycle, and psychomotor changes.
Delirium costs the US healthcare system up to $200B annually
Delirium can lead to
5-10 day extended stays in the ICU
Delirium affects up to 80 % of patients in intensive care units
80 %
Delirium can double mortality rates during hospitalization
X2
Delirium can triple mortality within six months following discharge
X3
Delirium increases risk of cognitive impairment such as dementia
X9
Delirium is really a burden for the patients and the staff; and, if we are able, using EyeControl, to decrease this burden, and to decrease the length of stay, and to make the patient recover better, this will be a true breakthrough for the recovery of these patients.
Prof. Pierre Singer, Beilinson Hospital, Rabin Medical Center Israel