Critical care is a multidisciplinary health-care specialty that provides care for patients with an acute, life-threatening illness or injury. Today''s advanced treat-ments combined with the high level of expertise provided by critical care profes-sionals contribute to the best possible outcome for patients.

Intensive Care Units (ICUs) are sections in hospitals that contain specialized equipment and highly trained staff to treat patients who have a serious illness or injury.

Critical Care Team Members

The critical care team is comprised of a diverse group of highly trained professionals, including:

Intensivists
Attending physicians who are board certified in a medical specialty, such as surgery, internal medicine, pediatrics, neurology or anesthesiology. They also received subspecialty training and certifica-tion specifically in critical care medicine.

Intensivists may be assigned to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) on a full-time basis, allowing them to coordinate the critical care staff to provide continuous and consistent care to patients with serious illnesses. These physicians know how specific treatments affect all the organ systems, coordinate all aspects of complex care for critically ill, avoid duplication of procedures and medications, and honor the patient''s preferences regarding medical treatment. Intensivists also facilitate communication among primary care physicians, specialists, patients and their families.

Critical care nurses
Critical care nurses provide a high level of skilled nursing and facilitate communica-tion between all of the people involved in the care of the patient. Their continuous presence allows early recognition of subtle changes in patient conditions, thereby minimizing complications that arise from critical illness. They often become an integral part of the decision-making process with the patient, family and critical care team.

Pharmacist or Clinical Pharmacologist
A pharmacist or clinical pharmacologist is a board certified specialist in the science and clinical use of medications. The pharmacists with specialty training in the ICU are equipped to recognize the needs and problems specific to the critical care patient. They work with members of the healthcare team to foster effective and safe medication therapy.

Registered Dietitian
A registered dietician consults with physicians, nurses, therapists, and family members in the ICU. The registered dietician works to improve the nutritional health and promotes recovery of the critical care patient.

Social Worker
A social worker provides a link between treatment plans for the critical care patient and family members. They have special knowledge of welfare policies and services, social welfare systems and community resources.

Respiratory Therapist
Respiratory therapists work with the critical care team to monitor and promote airway management of the critical care patient. This may include: oxygen therapy, mechan-ical ventilation (breathing machine) management, aerosol medication therapy, cardio-respiratory monitoring, and patient and caregiver education.

Physical Therapist and/or Occupational Therapist
The physical therapist provides services that restore function, improve mobility, relieve pain and prevent or limit perma-nent physical disabilities. The occupational therapist makes a complete evaluation of the impact of the disease on the activities of the critical care patient at home, in work situations and recreational activities. Both members work cooperatively with the team to reduce physical and psychological disabilities of the patient.

Hospital Chaplain
The hospital chaplain is available to provide pastoral care to the critical care patient, family members and staff. The chaplain is also available to provide objective crisis intervention and spiritual support. Chaplains may serve to assist in locating a clergy member of a specific denomination to better meet the patient and family''s spiritual needs.