Active not recruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Outcomes of Patients Who Survived Treatment on an Intensive Care Unit for COVID-19 in England and Wales

This study is looking at what happens to people in England and Wales one year after they left intensive care (ICU) because of COVID-19. Many people survived, but we don't fully know how their health is affected long-term by the illness or the treatment they received in ICU. Researchers will use existing health records to compare the health of COVID-19 survivors with people who were in ICU for other serious conditions. The study hopes to find out common health problems or needs these survivors might have, so that doctors and the NHS can provide the best care when they leave hospital.

At a glance

Status

Active not recruiting

Sponsor

University of Oxford

Enrolment target

319,600

Start

01 Aug 2020

Estimated completion

28 Feb 2025

Covid19 Myocardial Infarction Stroke Critical Illness Heart Failure Deep Vein Thrombosis Pulmonary Embolism Renal Failure

What is this study about?

Imagine you or someone you know was very poorly with COVID-19 and needed to be treated in an intensive care unit (ICU). While many people make it through and leave hospital, it's natural to wonder how their health will be in the long run. This important study wants to find out just that: what are the health experiences of people in England and Wales one year after they've been discharged from hospital following a stay in ICU for COVID-19?

The researchers will be looking at existing health information, not asking new questions or performing new tests on patients directly. Think of it like putting together a puzzle using pieces of information that already exist. They will use details from national records about ICU admissions and link these with other NHS records to see if people were readmitted to hospital, what conditions they developed, or if they unfortunately passed away. Scientists hope this will help us understand the health issues people might face after such a serious illness.

To get a clearer picture, the study will compare these COVID-19 survivors with another group of people who were also treated in ICU for other severe illnesses, not COVID-19. By doing this comparison, they can highlight any specific health challenges that might be more common after a severe COVID-19 infection. The goal is to make sure that doctors, like your GP, and other NHS services are better prepared to support people who have been through this experience, ensuring they get the right care at the right time.

Key takeaways

This study looks at existing health records, not new patients.
It aims to understand long-term health after severe COVID-19 and ICU stay.
Compares COVID-19 survivors to other ICU patients.
Helps the NHS plan better care for those recovering from serious illness.
Your identity is kept private and secure.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking at existing health records rather than inviting new people to take part or asking for new tests. So, you wouldn't 'join' this study in the usual way. However, the study will look at records of people who meet certain criteria.

They're focusing on adults aged 16 or older who had an unplanned admission to an adult general intensive care unit (ICU) in England or Wales. This includes people who were admitted for confirmed COVID-19 between January and July 2020. They will also look at records for people admitted to ICU for other reasons during a similar time frame (July 2016 to July 2020).

The study will not look at the records of people who sadly passed away while still in hospital after their ICU stay.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Were you 16 years old or older at the time of your ICU admission?
Was your ICU admission in an adult general unit in England or Wales?
Was your ICU admission for COVID-19 between January and July 2020, OR for another sudden illness between July 2016 and July 2020?
Did you survive and leave the hospital after your ICU stay?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

You will not actively take part in this study. The researchers are using information that has already been collected as part of your routine medical care. This means you won’t have any extra visits to the hospital or GP, no new tests, and no changes to your medication. Your personal information will be kept private and handled securely.

Potential risks and benefits

This study doesn't involve any direct intervention or contact with patients, so there are no direct physical risks to you. The main benefit is that the information gathered will help the NHS better understand the long-term health needs of COVID-19 survivors, leading to improved care for future patients. Your anonymised data contributes to this vital understanding. As this is not an 'active' study, there is no 'right to withdraw' in the traditional sense, as the data is already collected and anonymised for research purposes.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

Critical Care Research Group, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford
Verified postcode
Oxford, United Kingdom

Common questions

What is an Intensive Care Unit (ICU)?

An ICU is a special hospital unit for people who are critically ill and need very close monitoring and treatment.

Will my personal details be safe?

Yes, researchers will use existing health records and handle all information securely and privately, often by making it anonymous where possible.

Do I need to do anything to be part of this study?

No, you don't need to do anything. The study uses existing health information; you won't be asked to participate directly or change your care.

How will this study help people?

By understanding the long-term health effects of COVID-19, doctors and the NHS can plan better support and care for survivors.

Is this study about a new treatment?

No, this is not a study about new treatments. It's looking back at health records to understand the long-term health of people who have already been treated.