Quality of life among long-term survivors of intensive care.

Quality of life was examined in 717 individuals 1 yr after their admission to a multidisciplinary ICU. Of these, 87% were able to live at home 6 months after their admission. Of patients 65 yr and older, 90% had been living independently before admission compared to 80% 1 yr afterward. Of those younger than 65 yr, most of the 65% who had been working before admission could return to work. The length of hospitalization during the first year after admission varied greatly; 10% of the patients stayed more than 145 days. The patients who needed mechanical ventilation or who stayed 1 wk or more in the ICU tended to have worse outcomes than others. These data indicate that there is no great deterioration in quality of life among long-term survivors of intensive care.