Houston Methodist Critical Care Recovery Clinic

Recovery from a critical illness or injury isn’t always a straight line — either for patients or their loved ones. Following an intensive care unit (ICU) stay, patients can develop physical, mental and emotional symptoms that affect their well-being and quality of life, called post-intensive care syndrome (PICS). Loved ones can experience similar symptoms, called post-intensive care syndrome-family (PICS-F). 

The Houston Methodist Critical Care Recovery Clinic, launched by the Center for Critical Care, is dedicated to recognizing and addressing the complex needs of individuals recovering from critical illness experiencing PICS, PICS-F and other conditions related to ICU hospitalization.

Expertise in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Recovery

We understand the challenges that can arise for patients and their families after an ICU stay. Our mission is to offer the best care for critical care survivors and their families as they transition home from the hospital, as well as addressing any gaps in care.

The Houston Methodist Critical Care Recovery Clinic is the first ICU recovery clinic in the State of Texas to participate as an active member of The Critical and Acute Illness Recovery Organization (CAIRO). CAIRO is a global collaborative of physicians, nurses, social workers, psychologists, pharmacists and rehabilitation specialists dedicated to improving outcomes for intensive care unit (ICU) survivors and their families.

A Specialized Care Team Fully Invested in Your Recovery

Our Critical Care Recovery Clinic team includes experts in caring for post-intensive care syndrome (PICS), post-intensive care syndrome-family (PICS-F) and other conditions related to ICU hospitalization. 

To ensure you receive the care, support and guidance that is tailored to your specific condition and unique needs, our critical care recovery team includes:

• Critical care intensivists
• Critical care pharmacists
• Nurse practitioners
• Physical and occupational therapists
• Psychologists
• Respiratory therapists
• Social workers
• Registered dietitians

We also partner with experts from other specialties to offer additional support that can further help you recover from your ICU experience. 

Comprehensive Care Tailored to You

Our multidisciplinary team works to identify the underlying cause of your symptoms to develop a plan with the most effective treatment options available.   We continuously explore innovative options to help improve the your quality of life and support PICS recovery.

• Medical assessment: Our experienced team of providers will conduct thorough medical assessments to understand your unique needs and create a personalized recovery plan.
• Physical rehabilitation: Our expert physical therapists will guide you through physical exercises and therapies designed to rebuild strength, increase mobility, and regain independence.
• Emotional support: Trained psychological counselors   will help you navigate the emotional challenges that may arise during your recovery.
• Communication: Our critical care recovery team will help you and your loved ones understand your ICU experience as well as support your transition to outpatient care by communicating with your primary care team to help coordinate your care.

What to Expect 

• Initial in-person visits may last up to two hours; video visits up to one hour.
• Questionnaires to screen for psychological and cognitive symptoms. 
• Meetings with the critical care recovery team may include a critical care physician, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, psychologist, dietitian and social worker.
• Medical assessments including medication counseling, blood tests, pulmonary function tests such as spirometry, and a walking test to assess endurance and your heart and lung function.
• Referrals to physical therapy or other specialists for additional support that can further help you recover from your ICU experience. 

Clinic appointments are available for current Houston Methodist patients who have experienced critical illness/injury and are eligible for follow-up as determined by the critical care recovery team.

Additional Resources

Download our brochure and flyer to learn more about Houston Methodist Critical Care Recovery Clinic. 

Houston Methodist is a proud member of the Critical and Acute Illness Recovery Organization (CAIRO), an organization dedicated to supporting and sustaining global collaboratives that aim to provide resources, education and community for ICU survivors and their families, as well as the clinicians who care for them.