Chelsea physical assessment tool for evaluating functioning in post‐intensive care unit COVID‐19 patients

de Sire, Alessandro; Giray, Esra; Ozyemisci Taskiran, Ozden

By this letter, we aimed to address the need of an adequate assessment of functional status in post-Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. COVID-19 patients are at risk for post-intensive care syndrome, with an impaired functional status. Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (PRM) physicians have to face both acute and post-acute COVID-19 patients and provide them with an adequate respiratory and neuromotor rehabilitation plan. To date, specific assessment tools are warranted to provide information regarding COVID-19 patients' functioning. Chelsea Critical Care Physical Assessment Tool (CPAx) is a bedside assessment tool specifically designed to assess function in post-ICU patients and has demonstrated validity, reliability, and responsiveness in critical care population. Taken together, we retain that the CPAx, due to its characteristics, might be used by PRM physicians for assessing functioning in post-ICU COVID-19 patients. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.