Improving recovery with critical care rehabilitation.

It is well documented that, following a period of critical illness, patients can suffer complex physical and non-physical complications. This has considerable effects on patients and their families in all aspects of life. This article discusses a service improvement project that led to the development of a critical care rehabilitation pathway, its implementation at Gateshead Healthcare Foundation Trust, and how it is being use to improve patient care, experiences and quality of life. Implementation of the pathway has resulted in 52% reduction in length of hospital stay during ward care.