SUMMARY
Lioudmila V. Karnatovskaia, M.D., researches how to improve outcomes for people surviving critical illnesses. She designed a behavioral intervention aimed at decreasing psychological distress for patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). Dr. Karnatovskaia's other passion is humanization of critical care using the Get to Know Me board. The Get to Know Me board is a personal patient profile displayed on the wall of a patient's room. It lists the patient's likes, dislikes, achievements and favorite activities. It focuses on the humane aspect of patient care, addressing the person and not just the diagnosis.
In addition, Dr. Karnatovskaia conducts several studies examining ways to improve gut microbiomes, core outcomes of those in the ICU, and care of patients with post-intensive care syndrome (post-ICU syndrome) and long coronavirus disease (long COVID).
Focus areas
- Post-ICU syndrome. Dr. Karnatovskaia studies psychological support based on positive suggestion trials. This psychological help is delivered in person to patients in the ICU and contributes to more-humane care. Psychological assistance also is given to patients who are intubated. In addition, Dr. Karnatovskaia is studying two separate trials in which psychological intervention is delivered either by trained ICU doulas or in an MP3 format.
- Post-ICU syndrome and long COVID. Dr. Karnatovskaia evaluates the effect of a high-probiotic fermented food diet intervention on gut microbiome recovery, markers of inflammation, psychological and cognitive outcomes, and quality of life for those with post-ICU syndrome and long COVID.
- Humanization of care. Dr. Karnatovskaia's Get to Know Me board project is designed to facilitate communication, build human connections and restore dignity to patients with critical illness by humanizing the ICU environment for patients, families and clinicians. She also evaluates integrating the Get to Know Me board into the electronic health record.
Significance to patient care
Patients with critical illness are often lonely in the hospital and may be in the ICU and away from their families for prolonged periods of time. These individuals are at risk of losing their sense of identity and dignity. After leaving the hospital, many of these patients have psychological problems, difficulty with memory and focus, and physical weakness. Dr. Karnatovskaia focuses on ways to help prevent dehumanizing and disturbing ICU experiences. Moreover, using the gut-brain connection, she studies ways to improve post-ICU conditions by restoring healthy gut bacteria using foods known to help gut microbiomes.