About SCCM

Guiding the Future of Critical Care:
About the Society of Critical Care Medicine

In 1970, 29 physicians with a major interest in the care of the critically ill met in Los Angeles to form an organization committed to meeting the needs of extremely ill patients. Thirty-five years later, the fruit of their labor -- the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) -- continues to grow and support all members of the critical care community.

The Chicago-based Society is the leading organization dedicated to ensuring excellence and consistency in the practice of critical care. From heart attack and stroke, to severe respiratory insufficiency, overwhelming infection, burns and gunshot wounds, the SCCM recognizes the unique needs of the critically ill patient of any age -- infant to adult -- and strives to secure the highest quality care for all patients facing life-threatening conditions.

The Society of Critical Care Medicine is the only professional organization devoted exclusively to the advancement of multiprofessional intensive care through excellence in patient care, education, research, and advocacy.

» Our Members
» Peer-Reviewed Publications
» Rewarding Scientific and Clinical Advances
» Educating Our Members
» Addressing the Needs of the Critical Care Community
» Advocating Partnerships within the Healthcare Community

• Intensivists
  Physicians who are board certified in a medical specialty, such as surgery, internal medicine, pediatrics, or anesthesiology, and who receive special education, training and subspecialty board certification specifically in critical care. Intensivists work closely with other critical care experts to provide their patients with ongoing and consistent care.
  
• Critical Care Nurses
  Registered nurses who receive highly specialized education and are often certified in critical care nursing as "CCRNs." Because of their close contact with the family and the patient, CCRNs often serve as the patient's advocate and become integral to the decision-making process of the patient, family, and critical care team.
  
• Critical Care Pharmacists/Pharmocologists
  Physicians or doctors of pharmacy who use their extensive knowledge to carefully monitor a patient's medications.
  
• Respiratory Therapists
  Respiratory therapists work with the critical care team to monitor and adjust ventilators and other respiratory technology as needed.
  
• Other Professionals
  These may include physical/occupational therapists, technicians, social workers, dieticians and members of the clergy.

Peer-Reviewed Publications

Staying ahead of the latest advances in critical care technology and research can be a challenge as new and innovative findings continually improve the practice of critical care medicine. The Society publishes a number of peer-reviewed journals, all directed toward improving the care of the critically ill and injured.

The profession's most prestigious publication, Critical Care Medicine, was founded by the Society in 1972. The journal, to which more than 15,000 critical care professionals and libraries worldwide subscribe, covers all aspects of acute and emergency care for the critically ill or injured patient, including the latest news on clinical breakthroughs and promising research. It is the most frequently cited journal in the field. The Critical Care Medicine Editorial Board is comprised of international leaders in critical care and led by Editor-in-Chief Joseph E. Parrillo, MD, FCCM.

In 1993, the Society introduced New Horizons: The Science and Practice of Acute Medicine, a quarterly publication. In 2000, New Horizons was integrated to become a supplement to Critical Care Medicine, which is still produced quarterly. These supplements, edited by J. Christopher Farmer, MD, FCCM, provide focused reviews of the latest advances in science and technology and their application to critical care medicine.

In July 2000, SCCM and the World Federation of Pediatric Intensive and Critical Care Societies launched a new journal, Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, devoted exclusively to pediatric and neonatal intensive care medicine. Patrick M. Kochanek, MD, FCCM, serves as the Editor-In-Chief.

In addition to its high-quality peer-reviewed journals, the SCCM also publishes information designed to assist critical care practitioners, at varying stages of their careers, in the evaluation of core knowledge and in preparation for critical care subspecialty board examinations.

Rewarding Scientific and Clinical Advances

The Society's extensive grants and awards program encourages and promotes excellence in critical care teaching, research, and patient care by honoring critical care experts - physicians, nurses, and other health professionals - who demonstrate dedication and innovation in this field. Research awards honor and provide funding for the work of researchers from every part of the Society, including young and established physician investigators, nurses, pharmacists, and others. Other awards recognize professionals concerned with medical ethics, outstanding patient care and teaching, and excellent intensive care unit (ICU) design. Research findings are presented at the SCCM Congress and are often published in the Critical Care Medicine.

Educating Our Members

The Society's commitment to high-quality education for intensive care practitioners is at the heart of all its programs. Each year, its annual congress brings together more than 5,000 critical care professionals. During plenary lectures, workshops, panel discussions, and special sessions, attendees focus on issues involving clinical practice and the ever-changing environment of the intensive care unit (ICU).

The Society also offers the Fundamental Critical Care Support (FCCS) Course, designed to provide basic critical care principles for the non-intensivist healthcare provider. The FCCS course provides training in basic critical care skills required beyond the "golden hour," the first 60 minutes of care for a critically ill or injured patient. Since 2001, this course has trained more than 10,000 healthcare providers. The program is translated into multiple languages and is currently taught worldwide.

Each year, the Society sponsors the Multidisciplinary Critical Care Review Course, a five-and-a-half day intensive review designed to prepare intensivists for the critical care subspecialty examinations. The course provides a detailed review of core critical care concepts during lectures and workshops given by expert multidisciplinary faculty. The Society also provides a similar course for pediatric intensivists.

In addition to high-quality educational programs, the Society offers the Multidisciplinary Critical Care Knowledge Assessment Program. This annual exam allows fellowship directors to analyze their research fellows' level of knowledge in critical care medicine and identify areas of weakness for further study. In addition, it allows physicians-in-training an opportunity to prepare for subspecialty certification.

Addressing the Needs of the Critical Care Community

The Society remains committed to its mission of providing high-quality critical care education, research and patient care information to the intensivist community. A number of products and initiatives serve to further the Society's mission.

The Society's Critical Care Education and Research Foundation (CCERF) was founded in 1999 to promote the highest level of care for all ICU patients at all hospitals. The Society is becoming increasingly important in advancing the critical care profession, serving its members, and promoting patient safety. The CCERF helps to sustain the Society by securing funding for research and education of the critical care community, as well as providing valuable information to the public by securing philanthropic contributions from individuals, foundations and corporations.

In 1988, SCCM established the American College of Critical Care Medicine, the first honorary society for critical care practitioners. There are 704 critical care practitioners that are members of the College, which encourages excellent multidisciplinary critical care and honors those who demonstrate personal and professional commitment to the profession. The College has developed administrative guidelines and clinical practice parameters for the critical care practitioner. New guidelines and practice parameters are continually developed, and current ones are systematically reviewed and revised.

Advocating Partnerships within the Healthcare Community

Promoting critical care through communication with other healthcare organizations and national leaders is an important focus for SCCM. The Society regularly communicates with a variety of domestic and international healthcare organizations on a wide range of issues. In 1991, SCCM was seated as a specialty society member of the American Medical Association House of Delegates. The Society's advocacy efforts focus on patient care issues, access to high-quality care, graduate medical education and workforce planning, increased funding for critical care research, violence and injury prevention, and the advancement of care for critically ill and injured patients via public policy change.

For more information on the Society of Critical Care Medicine, its educational programs, professional resources, and membership benefits, you can reach us at:

Society of Critical Care Medicine
701 Lee Street
Suite 200
Des Plaines, Illinois 60016
(847) 827-6869 Phone
(847) 827-6886 Fax
info@sccm.org