Besides positive patient outcome, expression of satisfaction or gratitude in letters sent by patients or their families is one of the most important rewards for caregivers in our ICUs. With the LIFE-PRIORITY campaign, the ESICM aims to Link Intensive care to Family Experience.

To contribute to LIFE-PRIORITY, we are asking you to submit letters from patients or their families, respecting patients privacy, as a testimony of the intense human relationships that arise in the ICU. All letters will be displayed on the walls of the congress center, in their original language, to be read by congress attendees. On the opening day of the Barcelona Congress, 5 letters will be drawn among those selected by Members of the ESICM Council on the basis of their emotional content and of the human values highlighted. Submitters of these 5 letters will receive a free registration to the 24th Annual Congress of the ESICM to be held in Berlin in 2011.

The ESICM also aims to show LIFE-PRIORITY in Barcelona. To this end, we will select some of the letters received and, if granted permission from their authors, display extracts of these letters in the city of Barcelona under different forms (advertising posters, booklets,…) and in different places. This is a unique opportunity to connect the general public to our specialty through stories of patients that recognize the devotion and excellence of intensive care professionals. Help us highlight the outstanding commitment of your teams to save lives. Submit letters and from a promise make LIFE-PRIORITY become a success.

Pr Jean-Daniel Chiche
ESICM, Chair of the Division of Scientific Affairs