Critical care is for hospital patients with serious health problems who need intensive medical care and monitoring.
Patients in intensive care units, also called ICUs, are cared for by a team of providers that may include:
- Specially trained nurses
- Physicians
- Respiratory therapists
- Care managers
- Physical and occupational therapists
- Other providers
Critical care is appropriate for hospital patients of every age who are severely ill.
Patients may go to the ICU from the Emergency Department, or may move there from the general hospital ward if they become critically ill.
Here are some common conditions that require critical care:
- Heart problems
- Lung problems
- Organ failure
- Brain trauma
- Blood infections (sepsis)
- Drug-resistant infections
- Serious injury (car crash, burns)
