CARDMEDIC – Flashcards for communicating with patients in the ICU during the COVID-19 pandemic

Summary

CARDMEDIC was inspired by a news article on a patient surviving COVID-19 after an admission to a UK Intensive Care Unit (ICU), where he described feeling terrified of not being able to understand what his healthcare providers were saying, due to the limitations of communicating through Personal Protective Equipment (face masks, visors, hoods etc).

CARDMEDIC is a collection of communication flashcards designed to break through the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) barrier, improving transfer of vital information from frontline healthcare professionals to unwell and critically ill patients.

They are also used as an upskilling training tool, for example by healthcare professionals and volunteers working outside their usual realms of practice.

They are simple and succinct, using basic language to share information and describe the plan of action. Set out in alphabetical order, it should be easy to find what you’re looking for.  

You may wish to use the “HELLO MY NAME IS…” card at the start of every patient interaction to introduce yourself and set the scene for using the flashcards.

The flashcards can be used in electronic format on either the patient’s or hospital’s phone / tablet / smart device, or printed, laminated, annotated and re-used – write on, wipe off. 

CARDMEDIC are continually expanding their database, so please get in touch with suggestions or comments, as well as ideas for further flashcards.