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The following resources have been released in order to support those in Intensive Care and High Dependency Units who are temporarily unable to communicate because of ‘intubation’ – having a breathing tube or other medical reasons.
In this video Kate explains how it feels to be in ICU and unable to communicate:
ICU Communication App
ICUapp home screen
ICU Communication App is designed to support communication in Intensive Care and High Dependency Units. This app is designed for patients in Intensive Care Units (ICU), High Dependency Units (HDU) and other wards who are intubated (have a breathing tube in their throat) – leaving them fully aware but temporarily unable to speak.
ICU Communication App has now been released as a free app on the Apple app store.
The ICU Communication App is released with resources that can be printed and used by communication partners to further support the communication of an individual on ICU/HDU in communicating.
ICU App was designed as part of a research project between the Helix Centre, Barnsley Hospital Assistive Tech Team and D4D and was designed based on the real lived experiences of those who have been on ICU.
EyeLink
Eyelink is a partner assisted method of communication using gaze which can be put in place just by printing or writing on an acetate or plastic sheet. See our resource page on how to make an eyelink and with printable templates that you can download and adapt.
We have published some videos explaining how Eye Link works:
Other Communication Tools and Resources
There are a range of low tech resources that can also support communication in ICU, we explain many of these on our website – paper and partner based resources.