The following tools and resources can help you support your loved one and make decisions in the ICU:
Here are many tools and resources available to help you learn more about the ICU and medical decision-making. Dr. Heyland explains how to use the resources and how to provide feedback to the medical team.
*Click CC in the play bar or C on your keyboard for subtitles/closed captions
A printable copy of The MY ICU GUIDE Workbook
We value helping people make more informed decisions regarding their medical treatments. This PDF workbook is free and accessible for all to download to print and distribute in their ICU. It contains much of the same content of this website but you can make this important information available in print. You can you use the printed copy to create awareness of the website and help your families understand the ins and outs of an ICU. This printable pamphlet will refer family members to the website to fill out the ICU Questionnaire. The workbook PDF has been formatted for any print shop and can be printed in both color and black and white. The pages will seem out of order on the PDF but when printed as a book the page order aligns correctly.
Download printer’s version of the Workbook PDF
Decision making for a family member who is in the ICU
When you have a loved one in the ICU, the health care team may hold a ‘family conference’ with you to discuss your loved one’s medical condition and decisions that may need to be made.
These videos show conversations between a doctor and a couple with a relative in the ICU. The videos show how you can use the My ICU Guide questionnaire when discussing your loved one’s care.
The first video features a doctor who is familiar with the My ICU Guide website and the second video features a doctor who is not familiar with the website.
Glossary– Learn more about ICU terms and treatments
Why a stay in the ICU can leave patients worse off – This PBS documentary explores how patients are changed, physically and emotionally, by their ICU experience, and how some doctors are trying to change the ICU environment to get patients out of hospital faster.
CPR Decision Tool – This video can help you learn more about CPR and whether it’s appropriate for a loved one in the ICU
Other Decision Aids – The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute has a website with information and tools for a number of specific conditions to help people make decisions about treatment.
Plan Well Guide – this website can help you clarify your values and can better inform you about the different treatment options available to treat serious illness. It is more designed for patients than family members of ICU patients but the explanations and tools are applicable. www.planwellguide.com
Society of Critical Care Medicine – this website has information for patients and families about critical care, the ICU and treatments.
ACP Conversations – “Conversations” features real-life stories and thoughts from researchers, health professionals and family members about sharing our thoughts for end-of-life care.
Ain’t the Way to Die – by ZDoggMD, this video offers an easy way to break the ice and start conversations about end-of-life issues.
ACP Conversations – “Conversations” features real-life stories and thoughts from researchers, health professionals and family members about sharing our thoughts for end-of-life care.
When Someone Close to You Is Dying A pamphlet by the National Initiative for the Care of the Elderly
Ain’t the Way to Die – by ZDoggMD, this video offers an easy way to break the ice and start conversations about end-of-life issues. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAlnRHicgWs&feature=youtu.be
Family Satisfaction with ICU – this website houses a unique satisfaction questionnaire that allows family members to provide feedback on the quality of care delivered to them and the patients www.fsicu.org
