Intervention
The intervention was a complex intervention including three components mentioned above. An intervention manual was compiled that specifies all procedures and contained the necessary instructions for action.Shortly before ICU discharge, a first consultation took place. Participants were informed about the next steps: transfer to a regular ward, appointment to visit the follow-up clinic, telephone availability and monitoring by the study team, distribution of information material, e.g. ICU Steps brochure [The ICU follow-up clinic visit was scheduled three months after ICU discharge. Three weeks before the visit the study nurse called the participants and reminded them of the upcoming appointment. The participants’ relatives were also invited to the appointment.First, a brief assessment of the health condition and a screening of mobility was performed by the study nurse before the physician's consultation, including a blood pressure, oxygen saturation and heart rate measurement, and short current medical history. A standardised checklist based on questionnaires (Mini-Cog [At the latest four weeks after the ICU follow-up clinic visit, the study physician called the participants. During the telephone call, the state of health and, if applicable, the progress of the referrals were queried. If new impairments were detected, a referral to a GP visit was made or an additional ICU follow-up clinic visit was offered (case-by-case decision). The telephone monitoring also served as a monitoring tool for the implementation of the recommendations made. Furthermore, participants and relatives had the opportunity to call the ICU follow-up clinic during office hours to speak with the staff.