Every Deep-Drawn Breath

A Critical Care Doctor on Healing, Recovery, and Transforming Medicine in the ICU

By: Wes Ely

Narrated by: Grover Gardner, Wes Ely

Winner of a Christopher Award—now with a discussion guide

“Perhaps one lesson to draw from the pandemic, with help from books like this one, is that the ICU experience can be changed for the better” (The Washington Post) for both patients and their families. You will learn how in this timely, urgent, and compassionate work by a world-renowned critical care doctor.

In this rich blend of science, medical history, profoundly humane patient stories, and personal reflection, Dr. Wes Ely describes his mission to prevent ICU patients from being harmed by the technology that is keeping them alive. Readers will experience the world of critical care through the eyes of a physician who drastically changed his clinical practice to offer person-centered health care and through cutting-edge research convinced others to do the same.

Dr. Ely’s groundbreaking investigations advanced the understanding of post– intensive care struggles and introduced crucial changes that reshaped treatment: minimizing sedation, maximizing mobility, and providing supportive aftercare. Dr. Ely shows that there are ways to bring humanity into the ICU and that “technology plus touch” is a proven path toward returning ICU patients to the lives they had before their hospital stays. An essential resource for anyone who will be affected by illness—which is all of us.

Well written and educational

It didn’t surprise my family when I told them I was reading a book about ICU. I am fascinated with the practice and research of medicine and I find Dr. Ely’s diligence and passion to improve lives through better practice refreshing and exhilarating. Great story teller!

Relationships

Just when the book became more techs… the doc/ author began telling life outcomes of persons lives who stayed in ICU and his drive to make their lives and the families become better. Very touching that a medical expert thrives on ‘the person’ their faith and life journey.

Inspiring future medical graduates

As a physician-scientist in training, I appreciated this book so much. I found a lot of inspiration to create a career in which I make improvements in medicine and science like Dr. Ely.

Essential Learning for Modern Healthcare

Dr Ely shares important information on the distinction between “survival” and “living” after severe illness. Critical care medicine has increased survival rates globally, but survivors live with emotional and physical scars that make it difficult to return to meaningful life. The future of healthcare will involve movement from a focus on mere survival to living.

fabulous information for patients and doctors alik

One of the biggest issues I've ever seen in ctitical care has been miscommunication and misunderstanding. There has always been  a disconnect between what a doctor says and what a patient understands. Even more importantly, the disconnect between what a patient tries to communicate and what the doctor understands.

Allen Alda recognized this problem years ago and began teaching medical people how to talk to non medical people. Dr Ely addresses the other end of the problem in this book and teaches medical people how to listen.

In this book Dr Ely explains the path to better patient care for those who usually can't advocate for themselves. For those providers that want more comprehensive, more successful, patient care, Dr Ely uses this book to provide a jumping off place

More importantly, Dr. Ely writes this book in a way that most people can understand. The medical terms are explained without any sense of arrogance or superiority. A non medicall reader needn't fear being addressed as if they are lessor beings for a lack of medical degree.

Most importantly, these stories give words to all those patients who have always known something was wrong but didn't have the words to make that understood.

As someone who has always cared deeply about the whole person of my paitents I cannot stop being hopeful after reading this book. Dr. Ely proves that medicine is evolving for the better.