ICU Vitality Initiative brings healing full circle

The ICU Vitality Initiative is a program at AdventHealth Littleton that invites former critical patients back to the hospital to visit with the staff who cared for them during their most vulnerable moments. Created by a former AdventHealth Littleton nurse in 2024, the ICU Vitality Initiative has grown into one of the hospital’s most meaningful programs.

Mike Kelso, RN, and Deana Vaughn, RN, are currently spearheading the program. They say it is not only beneficial for patients, but it has also had a profound impact on ICU staff.

“I used to think, ‘I’ve been doing this for a long time, it doesn’t mean anything to see my patient again,’” said Mike. “But the first time I saw one of my patients return it changed my mind. It’s just helped bring things full circle and improves the psyche of a nurse. Often, patients leave here to go to rehab and are barely walking. To see them come back walking, talking, and telling you about their lives is incredible.”

“I remember I had one patient post-code who I was only with for a day and a half, but I really connected with him and his family. I remember how sad I was when I didn’t get to work with him again,” said Deana. “When I got to see him come back months later, it convinced me how important this program is.”

The feedback from patients has also been overwhelmingly positive.

“Many of the patients who have been a part of the ICU Vitality initiative were long-term post-op heart patients who stayed in the ICU for weeks. They have been so grateful for the chance to reconnect with the team members who helped them get better,” said Mike.

“We’ve had some patients who have already asked to come back for a second visit because they missed some of the nurses the first time around. That’s how much this program means to them,” said Deana.

Right now, patients are identified for the ICU Vitality Initiative thanks to a close partnership with the cardiothoracic surgery office. Mike and Deana hope to expand the program to even more patients, and other departments in the future.

“I would love for the program to expand to other floors of the hospital, since many other nurses also have long-term patients,” said Deana. “Getting the chance to see the difference their work is making is so important.”

“As nurses, we only get to see our patients for a short amount of time. We don’t really get to see their recovery, which can lead to burnout and feeling like your work didn’t matter,” said Mike. “The ICU Vitality Initiative brings these patients back into the forefront of your mind.”