Rebuilding What We've Lost in Covid: A Perspective from the ICU

In this Grand Rounds, Dr. Wes Ely of Vanderbilt University will describe the challenges being experienced by clinicians as they care for patients during the Covid pandemic. Focusing on the ICU, he will describe a scientifically proven method for resurrecting our humanism and dignity in the face of the myriad hardships posed by the pandemic. He’ll discuss the power of the human story in highlighting and addressing patient suffering, offer a strategy for rebuilding what was lost during the pandemic, and propose a path forward.

Speaker:
Dr. E. Wesley Ely is a Professor of Medicine and Critical Care at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where he also serves as Co-Director of the Critical Illness, Brain Dysfunction, and Survivorship (CIBS) Center. He is the Associate Director of Aging Research for the Veteran’s Affairs Geriatric Research Education Clinical Center (GRECC) in Nashville, TN. Dr. Ely is the author of hundreds of articles in the scientific literature, as well as the 2021 book, Every Deep-Drawn Breath. The Lancet called the book “a paragon of humanity” and the Washington Post described it as “a timely book, its message an urgent one.” Dr. Ely is donating the book’s proceeds to help Covid survivors and family members rebuild their lives. He can be found @WesElyMD.

Note: Closed captions will be available within 48-72 hours after posting.

Program
Bob Wachter: Introduction
00:03:08-00:40:51 – E. Wesley Ely (Professor of Medicine and Critical Care and Co-Director of the Critical Illness, Brain Dysfunction, and Survivorship (CIBS) Center at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center)
00:40:51-00:59:19 – Q&A
Bob Wachter: Closing

See previous Medical Grand Rounds:
• January 20: The Revolution in Continuous Glucose Monitoring for Diabetes
• January 13: The Omicron Whirlwind: A Conversation with Eric Topol - The Current and Future State of the Pandemic
• January 6: Confronting Racism Denial: Naming Racism and Moving to Action
• December 16: Omicron in Mid-December: What Have We Learned and What Does It Mean?

[juneharvey]

Having been a nurse for 50 years ( now retired ) 1 know and believe wholeheartedly what this Dr is truly about . It is infact about compassion and in understanding that medicine really is about seeing a whole person and in listening to their needs and that person is not an object of no choice -I believe many sufferers of Covid would be alive today had they not been isolated from their loved ones .

[gmaureen]

Years ago, I came down with viral encephalitis and aseptic meningitis. 2 months later I was on my way to recovery, however my brain was still a mess. Hospital prescribed a psychiatrist to help me sort things out, just talking therapy, no meds. I can't tell you how helpful that was, all the hallucinations faded and reality returned.

[markgivens]

Excellent! As a layperson without formal medical education, I found this to be compassionate and informative. Keep up the good work and good messages.

[janakingking]

Thanks for posting this. I look forward to every update

[stephanielush]

So inspiring. Just wish we could clone Dr. Ely. From a retired nurse.

[amberj]

I look forward to these thank you for continuing them.

[Cathy-xicb]

I have treated patients in their homes and in OP rehab as an OT. Their families are often unprepared to care for them, and sometimes unable to effectively care for them. They wouldn't have done better in nursing home rehab, which is a complete joke. And of course, Medicare is not making it impossible for the discharged elderly to get more than a few home sessions. Do every single thing you can to stay out of the ICU, and consider if you want to be intubated. Most of us would rather not be intubated LT. We know what it looks like on the other side. We would be OK being done.

[paolaamatosabatelli]

Thanks for all your efforts ..cheers from Italy

[Turtledove]

What a remarkable man! It's been an honour to listen to him and to be reminded of the importance of our humanity.

[marialumena]

The family visit restrictions are a crime. Just a crime. Disgusted by the arbitrary rules.

[GetUnlabeled]

The absence of Ppe and then last week we saw those places with tens of millions of dollars of ppe wasted outside and at dumps. Wow

[alanrcrews]

If this intrigued or convicted you, read the book. Give the book as a gift to a nurse or doctor.

[hoffman]

What you need to rebuild is public trust in a deeply broken and corrupt pharmaceutical mafioso. I doubt anybody will be able to do that in this decade.

[andystover]

Could you comment of Vinay Prasad and his association with your institution?

[t.c.s.]

Hospital covid treatment was and is criminally negligent.

[etexsly]

I am a retired RN with ICU experience but it was over a decade ago.

Why would a physician even get into a conflict with a family member who requests ivermectin for a patient? It is nontoxic. Why not allow a trial of ivermectin in order to let the patient and the family members understand that you are willing to try everything even though it may be a long shot? How is that not compassionate? I find this rather troubling.

[omarlocke]

i hate these people forever for what they’ve done!

[wizardatmath]

What Have you lost? THE PUBLIC TRUST. Enough of us know about Ivermectin and Hydroxchloroquine, and even about the institutional position on vitamins and minerals. Expect our contempt for your pharmaceutical affiliation to increase.