Sarah Stierli, Irene Buss, Hermann Redecker, Michael Baumberger, Erika Blättler, Melissa Selb, Sandra Hinter, Barbara Ischer, Hans Schwegler
Speech and Language Therapy, Swiss Paraplegic Centre, Nottwil, Switzerland.
DOI: 10.2340/16501977-2735

Objective: We present a case report that complements the conclusion of Stam et al. in their call to rehabilitation facilities to anticipate and prepare to address post intensive care syndrome in post-Covid-19 patients.
Methods: The case report presented here provides insight into treating mechanically ventilated post-Covid-19 patients.
Results: Early intervention with dysphagia therapy and speech therapy and ventilator-compatible speak-ing valves, provided within an interprofessional collaborative team, can mitigate the potentially negative consequences of prolonged intubation, long-term use of cuffed tracheostomy, and post intensive care syndrome resulting from Covid-19.
Conclusion: Such a treatment approach can be used to address what is important to patients: to be able to speak with family and friends, eat what they want, and breathe spontaneously.

This case report aims to complement the conclusion of Stam et al. in their call to rehabilitation facilities to anticipate and prepare to address post intensive care syndrome in post-Covid-19 patients. The case report provides insight into treating mechanically ventilated post-Covid-19 patients. Early intervention for swallowing and with speech therapy and the use of ventilator-compatible speaking valves, provided by an interprofessional collaborative team, can reduce the potentially negative consequences of prolonged invasive ventilation and post intensive care syndrome resulting from Covid-19. Most importantly, such a treatment approach can be used to address what is important to patients: to be able to speak with family and friends, eat what they want, and breathe spontaneously.