Every Deep-Drawn Breath: A Critical Care Doctor on Healing, Recovery, and Transforming Medicine in the ICU

Every Deep-Drawn Breath: A Critical Care Doctor on Healing, Recovery, and Transforming Medicine in the ICU

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  • Create Date:2021-11-26 06:51:58
  • Update Date:2025-09-06
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  • Author:Wes Ely
  • ISBN:1982171146
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Summary

A world-renowned critical care doctor offers hope for ICU patients and their families in this timely, urgent, and compassionate narrative。

Over the next ten years, 40 to 60 million people in this country will be admitted to the ICU。 Most of these hospitalizations will be sudden, unexpected, and harrowing, experiences that can alter patients and their families physically and emotionally, with effects that endure for years。

Every Deep-Drawn Breath is a rich blend of science, medical history, profoundly humane patient stories, and personal reflection。 Dr。 Wes Ely’s mission is to prevent patients from being inadvertently harmed by the technology that is keeping them alive。 Readers will experience the world of critical care through the eyes of this physician who drastically changed his clinical practice, and through cutting-edge research convinced others to do the same。

For decades, millions of ICU survivors left the hospital with disabling symptoms including newly acquired dementia, depression, PTSD, and nerve damage, all now recognized as Post Intensive Care Syndrome, or PICS (a severe subset of Long Covid symptoms)。 Dr。 Ely’s groundbreaking investigations advanced the understanding of PICS and introduced crucial changes that reshaped intensive care: minimizing sedation, maximizing mobility, attending to the family, and providing supportive aftercare。 Dr。 Ely shows that this new way—technology plus touch—is the future of healthcare, and is a proven path toward reclaiming life。 Full of wisdom and heart, Every Deep-Drawn Breath is an essential resource for anyone who will be affected by critical illness, which is all of us。

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Reviews

Mrs。 Danvers

Well, that was lovely。

Luke Hodgson

I'm an intensive care doctor and usually steer clear of such medical books but I know Prof Ely is an expert who thinks beyond the relatively limited narrative that most crit care research sticks to。 The book has inspired me to continue my current path and I think others in healthcare would be similarly moved。 Beyond clinicians, the book powerfully but sensitively conveys a story of hope that will appeal to the public。 I'm an intensive care doctor and usually steer clear of such medical books but I know Prof Ely is an expert who thinks beyond the relatively limited narrative that most crit care research sticks to。 The book has inspired me to continue my current path and I think others in healthcare would be similarly moved。 Beyond clinicians, the book powerfully but sensitively conveys a story of hope that will appeal to the public。 。。。more

Ruth

This book has truly transformed my understanding of the ICU, sedation, the fate of ICU survivors, and the hope that lies within the critical care field to expand our concept of doing no harm, accomplishing much greater good。 It has restored my hope within a dark set of weeks in the ICU。

Maria Catalfio

Every Deep Drawn Breath is a work that one can't help but be profoundly affected by。 Back in 2007, I watched my mom in the ICU。 I saw her on and off a ventilator at least twice during her cardiac treatment。 It was scary to see my mom having to endure this level of body invasion。 I'm moderately claustrophobic, and I'm sure that seeing her immobile and so far "under water" compelled me to wish the very opposite of Dr。 Ely's protocol for people in her situation。 I wanted her to be sedated。 Heavily。 Every Deep Drawn Breath is a work that one can't help but be profoundly affected by。 Back in 2007, I watched my mom in the ICU。 I saw her on and off a ventilator at least twice during her cardiac treatment。 It was scary to see my mom having to endure this level of body invasion。 I'm moderately claustrophobic, and I'm sure that seeing her immobile and so far "under water" compelled me to wish the very opposite of Dr。 Ely's protocol for people in her situation。 I wanted her to be sedated。 Heavily。 I couldn't bear the thought of the panic, fear, and terror she would experience if she was alert enough to have awareness of the invasive procedures being done to her。 My mom came off the the ventilator with relatively little delirium or associated ICU problems。 She passed away of congestive heart failure at home under hospice care about a month after being in the ICU。The experience of seeing her go through this convinced me I needed to put very clear instructions in my own advanced medical directives。 I wrote that should I require a ventilator to keep me alive, I wanted to be heavily sedated for the entire time - even if it meant potentially jeopardizing safely coming off of it。 Yes, I'd prefer not to survive, if it meant facing that kind of terror (not to mention the potential after effects that I didn't even know about until after I read this book)。Dr。 Ely makes the case, and has the scientific chops to back it up, that ICU treatment (which includes heavy sedation) rather than the illnesses that brought people to the ICU, is the cause of delirium and other inabilities to function afterward。 I literally held my breath as Dr。 Ely described the emergency room procedures that brought people from the brink of death back to the living。 I shared his excitement and awe of what the technology and skilled medical personnel could accomplish。 But the thrill wears off as the story proceeds past the ICU dramatics。 I loved this book。 Dr。 Ely's humanity courses powerfully through its pages。 He affirms what I hope is a basic instinct to do good。 I want to needlepoint the saying he quotes from Nelson Mandela, "May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears," even though I don't know how to needlepoint! Reading this book caused me to rethink what I wrote in my advanced medical directives, though there is still the nagging doubt 。 。 。 but I trust Dr。 Ely。 。。。more

Dario

Review forEVERY DEEP-DRAWN BREATHWritten by Wes Ely, MDfrom Luisella Magnaniinfo@luisellamagnani。it www。luisellamagnani。itMy vision and mission within each page of this precious Book is to spread It in every Faculty ofMedicine of all the Universities of my Country, Italy。 The whole Book is a Lectio MagistralisProfessor Wes Ely is holding in our delicate and fragile time。 A Book which must help Cliniciansand Nurses not only in the ICU but in every Clinical Specializations。 Studying epistemologica Review forEVERY DEEP-DRAWN BREATHWritten by Wes Ely, MDfrom Luisella Magnaniinfo@luisellamagnani。it www。luisellamagnani。itMy vision and mission within each page of this precious Book is to spread It in every Faculty ofMedicine of all the Universities of my Country, Italy。 The whole Book is a Lectio MagistralisProfessor Wes Ely is holding in our delicate and fragile time。 A Book which must help Cliniciansand Nurses not only in the ICU but in every Clinical Specializations。 Studying epistemologically andphenomenologically the Work I take the liberty of asking every Student in Medicine and everyHealth Care Professional to focus deeply and fully on the sentence which contains all the othersentences, a sentence I want to devote to Every Child and Person needing Cares, in the World。Let’s listen to Professor Wes Ely’s voice: ‘It struck me then that the distance between the “living”and the “dead” stacks is extremely narrow, a hair, measured in minutes, perhaps, or fluid ounces。Yet it feels like a gaping void。 The entire world。’ Now more than ever Everybody must nourish ofsuch a learning in order to know, to go deeper beyond any surface and feel, taste, see, touch,hear, smell the real meaning of life, the real feeling-of-meaning of our living on earth。 Millisecondly。Monday, 8 th November 2021 。。。more

Amber Yates

Dr。 Ely eloquently describes his pathway of growth as a critical care physician from one of saving lives at all costs to one of saving lives worth living。 I was pleasantly surprised to learn Dr。 Ely and I are from the same hometown so I identified with several of his references (I promise not to turn him in to my friend who is a librarian at the Shreve Memorial Library)。 As a physician I was touched by his stories。 The patient population I focus on are no strangers to the ICU environment。 I wond Dr。 Ely eloquently describes his pathway of growth as a critical care physician from one of saving lives at all costs to one of saving lives worth living。 I was pleasantly surprised to learn Dr。 Ely and I are from the same hometown so I identified with several of his references (I promise not to turn him in to my friend who is a librarian at the Shreve Memorial Library)。 As a physician I was touched by his stories。 The patient population I focus on are no strangers to the ICU environment。 I wonder what affect these experiences are having on their long-term outcomes。 It also confirmed my practice of talking to sedated patients before and as I exam them in the ICU。 So much happens to them during their ICU stay and we don't know how much they will remember。 I will be recommending this book to my physician colleagues。 。。。more

Michelle Keyatta

Made me really rethink some of the common practices we use as ICU staff (I’m a nurse)。 It motivates me to do things differently from here on out。

Blake Farmer

I was amazed how many patient stories could be packed into one book, and that so many of Dr。 Ely's patients (throughout his career!) agreed to be featured。 I'd guess this book was written mostly for physicians, but as a health care journalist I still got a ton out of it。 The personal stories really helped underline this broader point about how for a long time ICUs prided themselves on saving lives without considering the life they were sending patients home to。 Lots to think about after this, es I was amazed how many patient stories could be packed into one book, and that so many of Dr。 Ely's patients (throughout his career!) agreed to be featured。 I'd guess this book was written mostly for physicians, but as a health care journalist I still got a ton out of it。 The personal stories really helped underline this broader point about how for a long time ICUs prided themselves on saving lives without considering the life they were sending patients home to。 Lots to think about after this, especially with the number of COVID patients who've survived months in ICUs。 。。。more

Bethany

What makes up a human life? What are health and healing at their core? What is the role of a doctor, a nurse, or any other medical professional in the care of their patients? And how are our bodies, minds, and souls connected? While Dr。 Ely does not -- and cannot -- answer all these questions, asking them is a good start。 Every Deep-Drawn Breath is an in-depth, narrative-propelled exploration of how intensive care should truly treat people as PEOPLE even and especially at their sickest。 When we What makes up a human life? What are health and healing at their core? What is the role of a doctor, a nurse, or any other medical professional in the care of their patients? And how are our bodies, minds, and souls connected? While Dr。 Ely does not -- and cannot -- answer all these questions, asking them is a good start。 Every Deep-Drawn Breath is an in-depth, narrative-propelled exploration of how intensive care should truly treat people as PEOPLE even and especially at their sickest。 When we are at our most frail and vulnerable, that is when we need especial compassion and love and care that transcends just our physical needs, important as those are。 I would highly recommend this book to everyone, especially those who want to think about what it means to truly love and care and have compassion on others。 Deaconesses, pastors, doctors, social workers, and everyone else would benefit from reading Dr。 Ely's book--as long as they don't assume that he has all the answers。 。。。more

Peter Murphy

As a physician who has practiced for over 50 years I found this book an amazing eye opener。 It caused me to reflect deeply on every aspect of my life as a person husband teacher Christian and physician it is a must read for every clinician not just physicians but also PAsAnd MPs and RNsI must advise you that once you read this you will be forever charged for the better My only regret is that I did not read this 40 years ago As a teacher I am trying to ensure that all my students have the opportu As a physician who has practiced for over 50 years I found this book an amazing eye opener。 It caused me to reflect deeply on every aspect of my life as a person husband teacher Christian and physician it is a must read for every clinician not just physicians but also PAsAnd MPs and RNsI must advise you that once you read this you will be forever charged for the better My only regret is that I did not read this 40 years ago As a teacher I am trying to ensure that all my students have the opportunity to read this fantastic bookIt is life changing Thank you。 Dr Ely 。。。more

J

This truly inspiring book that describes the journeys of critically ill patients and their families as well as the growth of the author as an intensive care unit physician is filled with beautiful prose and moving stories。 Every Deep-Drawn Breath may be as non-fiction as it gets, since each and every account is real, but it reads like a page-turner。 After turning the last page, one gets the sense that one’s perspective on health and sickness, on joy and sadness, and on life and death, has change This truly inspiring book that describes the journeys of critically ill patients and their families as well as the growth of the author as an intensive care unit physician is filled with beautiful prose and moving stories。 Every Deep-Drawn Breath may be as non-fiction as it gets, since each and every account is real, but it reads like a page-turner。 After turning the last page, one gets the sense that one’s perspective on health and sickness, on joy and sadness, and on life and death, has changed forever。 。。。more

Lisa Tangen

Enlightening and educational。 I loved the integration of classic books with each chapter。 I'm glad for the trend to look holistically at treating patients。 Definitely covering things to keep in mind personally。 I disagreed with the humanist perspective。 Enlightening and educational。 I loved the integration of classic books with each chapter。 I'm glad for the trend to look holistically at treating patients。 Definitely covering things to keep in mind personally。 I disagreed with the humanist perspective。 。。。more

Rebekah

I've worked part-time in ICUs with critically ill and injured patients for 11 years。 This book was such a nice narrative of how this practice has changed and the crucial role of the team and family in patient success。 I appreciated the author highlighting the important role of rehab services and having families truly participate in recovery。The wake up call about this book is that the journey and struggle hasn't passed once your loved one "survives," it's just beginning and life may not ever go I've worked part-time in ICUs with critically ill and injured patients for 11 years。 This book was such a nice narrative of how this practice has changed and the crucial role of the team and family in patient success。 I appreciated the author highlighting the important role of rehab services and having families truly participate in recovery。The wake up call about this book is that the journey and struggle hasn't passed once your loved one "survives," it's just beginning and life may not ever go back to normal。 It's one of the most frustrating parts of people focusing on death rates with critical illness。 Anyone who has been through an ICU stay comes out changed。 Sometimes irrevocably。I often use music, hold a lot of hands, and encourage hugs when I can get patients standing。 I love to hear about patient's lives and families and careers。 I've met and learned about so many people。 The importance this book places on changing the ICU to I See You can't be overstated。 A great read if you'd like to peek inside the hospital where critical care is provided。 。。。more

Megan Quinn

Fascinating。 I had no idea such deteriorating effects could come out of an ICU or critical care stay。

Kirsten Smith

This is a great book; I learned so much。 It is written in a way that one can connect with what is being shared even if you’ve never dealt with ICU。 Filled with heart as well as head。 I hope the way he found to have worked is now standard throughout the US and hopefully the rest of the world。 I ran across the author listening to an interview with Dr。 Zubin Damania and knew I had to read the book。

Mary

A doctor's account of the struggle to put an end to intensive care psychoses and other debilitating results of being under sedation for prolonged periods of time。 An effort to put quality into life-saving care。 An interesting read, but a bit too long, and, in addition, it has become a bit cloying for physicians to reveal their personal discovery that patients are persons。 This has nothing to do with the merits of what this physician accomplished, which is laudable in very many respects, not the A doctor's account of the struggle to put an end to intensive care psychoses and other debilitating results of being under sedation for prolonged periods of time。 An effort to put quality into life-saving care。 An interesting read, but a bit too long, and, in addition, it has become a bit cloying for physicians to reveal their personal discovery that patients are persons。 This has nothing to do with the merits of what this physician accomplished, which is laudable in very many respects, not the least of which is his success in saving lives in their entirety, not in just their remaining parts after an ICU stay。 。。。more

Martin Deporres

Impressive。 Though not a healthcare professional, I am impressed how the author used storytelling to convey deep insight。 What is the role of the healthcare professional? What does that imply for the entire system? "Doing good" is a worthy objective, but how should we understand good? The author speaks to all this implicitly, which is enjoyable and preferred to having a "know-it-all" tell you how things should be。 Recommended。 Impressive。 Though not a healthcare professional, I am impressed how the author used storytelling to convey deep insight。 What is the role of the healthcare professional? What does that imply for the entire system? "Doing good" is a worthy objective, but how should we understand good? The author speaks to all this implicitly, which is enjoyable and preferred to having a "know-it-all" tell you how things should be。 Recommended。 。。。more

Shelley Lee

This is a must read for everyone who has ever walked through the door of an Intensive Care Unit, either as a care provider, family member or patient。 Dr。 Ely brings the reader from the heart of Delirium as an occurrence in the ICU to the reality that ICU Delirium is a potentially life altering event that damages the lives that healthcare providers work so hard to save。 Dr。 Ely's reflective narrative and use of real patient stories illustrates the human side to both the patient and provider relat This is a must read for everyone who has ever walked through the door of an Intensive Care Unit, either as a care provider, family member or patient。 Dr。 Ely brings the reader from the heart of Delirium as an occurrence in the ICU to the reality that ICU Delirium is a potentially life altering event that damages the lives that healthcare providers work so hard to save。 Dr。 Ely's reflective narrative and use of real patient stories illustrates the human side to both the patient and provider relationship, making a case for real human care being the essence of cure despite all of the technology that is deployed to save life。Thank you Dr。 Ely。。。 you help to restore my faith that all is not lost in the cause for more human care in healthcare。 。。。more

Jennifer Mansour

A great book to remind us all to treat people like people, and the long lasting effects when we don’t。

Mary Grant

Much more than a medical book。。。This book contains many lessons that apply outside of critical care but also to daily life and the desire to always strive to do better。 I found the stories not only touching but helpful for a non-clinician to understand the science behind the A2F bundle。 The author also opens up his own life, mistakes and all, to truly engage the reader。 A truly pleasurable read that I highly recommend!

Jeff Bobin

If you interact with patients that spend time in Intensive Care Units (ICU) of the hospital you should take the time to read this book。 It is a combination of the history of critical care, what they have learned about sedation, delirium and long term impacts of those experiences。 Like most of medicine it is an evolving world of learning, making errors, correcting them and trying new ways of caring for those patients。 I found this fascinating and as a pastor helpful in understanding not only what If you interact with patients that spend time in Intensive Care Units (ICU) of the hospital you should take the time to read this book。 It is a combination of the history of critical care, what they have learned about sedation, delirium and long term impacts of those experiences。 Like most of medicine it is an evolving world of learning, making errors, correcting them and trying new ways of caring for those patients。 I found this fascinating and as a pastor helpful in understanding not only what is going on in the ICU but why some patients struggle after they get out of ICU。 。。。more

Margaret

This book was quite scholarly with many human interest anecdotes thrown in。 The main intent was to educate us about delirium and other long lasting results of ICU, ventilators, drugs, and severe illnesses。 The book was well researched and presented and I benefited from my reading and scanning of its content。

Melissa

This extraordinary book will change your understanding of medicine and science and restore your faith in humanity。 I loved every page and couldn’t put it down。 Dr。 Wes Ely is such a beacon of hope for humanizing our health care system and a beautiful example of following your gut and your instincts to change a system even when people tell you that you are wrong。

Bobby Stark

Amazing book。 Educational, inspirational and entertaining。 I will refer to passages in it for years to come。

Shadira

If you’re interested in the wild world of the ICU, in the interface between nature and human nature, in how medicine (at its best) learns from good intentions gone awry, in the difference between in vitro and in vivo, or in how a good doctor becomes great, here is the book for you。Dr。Ely also provides a thoughtful exploration of the ICU treatment culture of sedation and immobilization and analyzes how it can be recentered around a core value of “humanity in doctoring。” Collectively, these anecdo If you’re interested in the wild world of the ICU, in the interface between nature and human nature, in how medicine (at its best) learns from good intentions gone awry, in the difference between in vitro and in vivo, or in how a good doctor becomes great, here is the book for you。Dr。Ely also provides a thoughtful exploration of the ICU treatment culture of sedation and immobilization and analyzes how it can be recentered around a core value of “humanity in doctoring。” Collectively, these anecdotes movingly exemplify the caregiver’s role in assuaging patient suffering through compassionate efforts to not only deliver quality clinical care, but to focus on “finding the person in the patient, using touch first and technology second,” and preparing and supporting patients back into life beyond the ICU setting。 Ely promotes these protocols within the end-of-life spectrum, as well, where compassion, respect, and comfort are tantamount。 A closing section offers practical tips and resources for further research on the care delivery process within an ICU setting, useful for both general readers and professionals。 As Ely conveys through anecdotes and experience, physicians can maximize their knowledge by focusing on, listening to, and learning from their patients。Meaningful, thought-provoking insight into the world of critical care。Dr。 Ely's groundbreaking investigations advanced the understanding of PICS and introduced crucial changes that reshaped intensive care: minimizing sedation, maximizing mobility, attending to the family, and providing supportive aftercare。 Dr。 Ely shows that this new way-technology plus touch-is the future of healthcare, and is a proven path toward reclaiming life。 Full of wisdom and heart, Every Deep-Drawn Breath is an essential resource for anyone who will be affected by critical illness, which is all of us。 。。。more

Scribe Publications

An intensely emotive journey through the science and history of the intensive care unit … Every Deep-Drawn Breath is a paragon of humanity that will have lasting positive effects。The LancetA stunning, heartbreaking, and hopeful book, expressing Dr Ely's profound union of compassion and medical skill。 Given that most of us will stay in an ICU, attend a loved one there, or even die in one, I hope that many readers demand treatment according to the humane practices Dr Ely has pioneered。 I equally h An intensely emotive journey through the science and history of the intensive care unit … Every Deep-Drawn Breath is a paragon of humanity that will have lasting positive effects。The LancetA stunning, heartbreaking, and hopeful book, expressing Dr Ely's profound union of compassion and medical skill。 Given that most of us will stay in an ICU, attend a loved one there, or even die in one, I hope that many readers demand treatment according to the humane practices Dr Ely has pioneered。 I equally hope that every critical care doctor and hospital administrator reads this beautiful book, puts its protocols into practice, and makes their ICUs more humane and medically effective。Katy Butler, author of Knocking on Heaven's DoorEvery Deep-Drawn Breath is an enthralling journey through the ongoing evolution of critical care。 In this richly illustrated book, with stories of people who teetered on the edge of death and survived to find their lives forever changed, Dr Ely, a thought leader in his field, reveals hard lessons he’s learned, innovations he’s led, and his compelling, bright vision for the future of medicine。Dr Ira Byock, active emeritus professor at Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine, author of Dying Well and The Best Care Possible, founder and chief medical officer of the Institute for Human CaringThrough rich and remarkable accounts of caring for patients in the ICU, Dr Wes Ely places the humanistic mission of medicine front and centre, where it belongs, in this outstanding book。Dr Eric Topol, professor at Scripps Research, author of Deep MedicineA remarkable book from a legendary physician。 Dr Ely revolutionised critical care and now, through stories that are intimate, honest, and brave, he reveals the failings and the great promise of the field。 This could not be more timely — in the wake of a pandemic that challenged the humanity of our profession, Ely shows us the road forward。 A must read。Dr Daniela Lamas, author of You Can Stop Humming Now: a doctor's stories of life, death, and in betweenEvery Deep-Drawn Breath is a beautiful, honest gem。 If you’re interested in the wild world of the ICU, in the interface between nature and human nature, in how medicine (at its best) learns from good intentions gone awry, in the difference between in vitro and in vivo, or in how a good doctor becomes great, here is the book for you。 I'm grateful to Dr Ely for his candour and his storytelling。Dr BJ Miller, author of A Beginner's Guide to the EndThanks to Dr Wes Ely and his colleagues, help is on the way for ICU patients, as well as the healthcare professionals who care for them。 Every Deep-Drawn Breath is a must read for anyone who may someday be impacted by an ICU, which means all of us。Dr Jessica Zitter, MPH, author of Extreme MeasuresThe ICU is an important, mysterious character in the story of modern medicine, and Every Deep-Drawn Breath is its deeply felt, thoroughly researched biography。 With compassion, grit and grace, Dr Ely takes us into this liminal space and shows us, through the stories of his patients and his life, what it means to mobilise technology to save lives while also confronting the unintended pain and suffering that ICU care can inflict。 This book illuminates the humanism, heroism, and humility required to stand with people at life’s edge, and reminds us to seek meaning and purpose in the life we have, a life sustained by each breath we take。Dr Sunita Puri, author of That Good Night: life and medicine in the eleventh hourIn this fascinating and eye-opening book, Wes Ely makes the radical argument that we should be helping critically ill patients stay awake and engaged, not routinely sedating them into unconsciousness。 Combining dogged research, intense reflection, and page-turning stories, Dr Ely reminds us that we have to treat the patient, not just the disease。Dr Danielle Ofri, PhD, Clinical Professor of Medicine at NYU School of Medicine, and author of When We Do HarmWith the storytelling sensibilities of Oliver Sacks and the surgical precision of Atul Gawande, Dr Wes Ely has given us an unforgettable journey of patients and doctors traveling in the disorienting world of intensive care, ultimately leading toward redemption for Dr Ely himself。 Required reading for all mortals。 If you liked When Breath Becomes Air, you will love this book。Dr Angelo Volandes, author of The Conversation: a revolutionary plan for end-of-life careA treasure trove of hard-won wisdom。 Reading Every Deep-Drawn Breath is like getting a backstage pass to the cloistered world of medical science。 A gifted storyteller, Wes Ely brings his humanity to every moment, inspiring us to reexamine our own beliefs and reimagine what is possible。 He has seamlessly woven together the private stories behind the very public successes and failures of our well-intentioned ICU care。 Illuminating and generous, he revisits with humility the pivotal moments of his career in this wise gift of a book。Dr Rana Awdish, author of In Shock: my journey from death to recovery and the redemptive power of hopeEly, a critical care doctor, debuts with a remarkable look at transformations in ICU care … This humble — and humbling — look at the limits and potential of medicine will stick with readers。Publishers Weekly, starred reviewIn this dynamic, often touching debut, the author chronicles a personal, passionate return to the ethical heart of the Hippocratic oath。 In addition to a timeline of the ICU and its history of medical innovations, Ely details a succession of individual bedside narratives … The author effectively illuminates the daily pressures placed on caregivers … Ely also provides a thoughtful exploration of the ICU treatment culture of sedation and immobilisation, and analyses how it can be recentred around a core value of “humanity in doctoring” … As Ely conveys through anecdotes and experience, physicians can maximise their knowledge by focusing on, listening to, and learning from their patients。 Meaningful, thought-provoking insight into the world of critical care。Kirkus ReviewsCritical care physician Ely draws on his own experience for this book about the role of humanity and compassion in the ICU … It includes sensitive analysis of the racialised history of critical care medicine and health care disparities that stem from gender, class, and disability。 Ely discusses post-intensive care syndrome, which he believes is too-little discussed by patients and health-care professionals … Heightened media attention to intensive care medicine during the pandemic should make this of interest to both lay and professional readers。 Ely writes with passion, clarity, and authority。Library JournalTimely。St。 Louis Post-Dispatch[A] powerful new book … provides true insight into what can be accomplished with humility, perseverance, dedication and above all else, love。Intima: a journal of narrative medicine With its vivid observations and heartfelt tone, Every Deep-Drawn Breath is a joy to read。 Ely’s passion for his patients leaps from the pages, inspiring readers to channel Ely’s humility and love for life to brighten the future of medicine, and mankind。The Federalist 。。。more

Anneke

Book Review: Every Deep-Drawn Breath: A Critical Care Doctor On Healing, Recovery, and Transforming Medicine in the ICUAuthor: Wes Ely, M。D。Publisher: ScribnerPublication Date: September 7, 2021Review Date: May 7, 2021I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review。From the blurb:“A world-renowned critical care doctor offers hope for ICU patients and their families in this timely, urgent, and compassionate narrative。Over the next ten years, 40 to 60 million pe Book Review: Every Deep-Drawn Breath: A Critical Care Doctor On Healing, Recovery, and Transforming Medicine in the ICUAuthor: Wes Ely, M。D。Publisher: ScribnerPublication Date: September 7, 2021Review Date: May 7, 2021I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review。From the blurb:“A world-renowned critical care doctor offers hope for ICU patients and their families in this timely, urgent, and compassionate narrative。Over the next ten years, 40 to 60 million people in this country will be admitted to the ICU。 Most of these hospitalizations will be sudden, unexpected, and harrowing, experiences that can alter patients and their families physically and emotionally, with effects that endure for years。Every Deep-Drawn Breath is a rich blend of science, medical history, profoundly humane patient stories, and personal reflection。 Dr。 Wes Ely’s mission is to prevent patients from being inadvertently harmed by the technology that is keeping them alive。 Readers will experience the world of critical care through the eyes of this physician who drastically changed his clinical practice, and through cutting-edge research convinced others to do the same。For decades, millions of ICU survivors left the hospital with disabling symptoms including newly acquired dementia, depression, PTSD, and nerve damage, all now recognized as Post Intensive Care Syndrome, or PICS (a severe subset of Long Covid symptoms)。 Dr。 Ely’s groundbreaking investigations advanced the understanding of PICS and introduced crucial changes that reshaped intensive care: minimizing sedation, maximizing mobility, attending to the family, and providing supportive aftercare。 Dr。 Ely shows that this new way—technology plus touch—is the future of healthcare, and is a proven path toward reclaiming life。 Full of wisdom and heart, Every Deep-Drawn Breath is an essential resource for anyone who will be affected by critical illness, which is all of us。” ———I saw this book on NetGalley and swooped in to request it。 I don’t think this is a book most people might want to read。 But I worked as a Monitor Tech in Intensive Care Units in the early to mid 1990’s, exactly the period that Dr。 Ely was discussing in this book。 The way ICU patients were treated in those days is just as Dr。 Ely describes: deep sedation, paralyzation, and pain meds。 In this book, he points to the effects of that traditional treatment: delirium, feelings of being tortured, nightmares, and all the after effects, which has come to be called PICS。 He shows how he worked to change ICU treatment。 I wonder how much treatment in ICU around the world has really changed。 I sure hope that the changes he suggested in his book have taken effect。The book itself was wonderful。 It was not purely scientific。 He included many, many examples from his career; he made it very real, writing up examples of many of his patients。 I highly recommend this book, both to medical personnel, as well as those who have been in the ICU, family members, and those just curious about the world of modern medicine。Thank you to Scribner for allowing me early access to this book。Thank you, Dr。 Ely, for you efforts to humanize medical treatment。 This review will be posted on NetGalley and Goodreads。 #netgalley #everydeepdrawnbreath #weselymd #scribner #icu #medicine 。。。more