ICU-talk: the development of a computerised communication aid for patients in ICU

Abstract

As ventilators are becoming more highly developed, it is becoming easier to wean patients from sedation. This means that patients are more awake at a time when they can feel most stressed. Communication can be extremely difficult for this group of alert yet still intubated patients. ICU-Talk is a unique communication aid that has been developed specifically for use at this time. This paper describes the collaborative development of this computerised communication aid.