George Elisabeth L, Guttendorf Jane
Advanced Practice Nurse Critical Care, Department of Nursing, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center-Presbyterian Shadyside, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
Crit Care Nurs Clin North Am. 2011 Sep;23(3):481-503. doi: 10.1016/j.ccell.2011.06.002.
The ICU period is only one time point among many in the complex, multidisciplinary postoperative management required for patient survival and improved QOL. The care required on step-down units and after discharge to home each has unique care aspects that impact successful patient outcomes.