Patient & Family Resources: Critical Care Team

The critical care team includes a diverse group of highly trained professionals who provide care in specialized care units and work toward the best outcome possible for seriously ill patients. All members of the team may be asked to teach patients and their families various strategies to improve health, healing, coping, and well being specific to their area of expertise. Members of the team include:

Intensivists
Physicians who are board certified in a medical specialty, such as surgery, internal medicine, pediatrics, or anesthesiology, and who also receive special education, training, and subspecialty certification specifically in critical care. Intensivists may be assigned to the ICU on a full-time basis and work with other critical care team members to provide their patients with ongoing and consistent care. These physicians know how specific treatments affect all the organ systems, avoid duplication of procedures and medications, and honor the patient's preferences regarding medical treatment as well as End of Life care (when appropriate). Intensivists may also coordinate the administrative environment of the ICU by setting policies, developing protocols, and facilitating communication among primary care physicians, specialists, patients, and their families.

Critical care nurses
Critical care nurses provide a high level of skilled nursing for total patient care and often facilitate communication between all of the people involved in the care of the patient. Their expertise and continuous presence allows early recognition of subtle, but significant, changes in patient conditions, thereby preventing worsening conditions and minimizing complications that arise from critical illness. Because of their close contact with the family and the patient, critical care nurses often serve as the patient's advocate and become integral to the decision-making process of the patient, family, and critical care team. Additionally, critical care nurses may be certified through by the American Association of Critical Care Nursing through more specialized education, training and testing, and are recognized as a "CCRN."

Pharmacist or Clinical Pharmacologist

A pharmacist or clinical pharmacologist is a board certified specialist in the science and clinical use of medications. The pharmacist with specialty training in the ICU is equipped in recognizing the needs and problems specific to the critical care patient and work with members of the health-care team to foster effective and safe medication therapy.

Registered Dietitian

A registered dietician is a vital part of the medical team that 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 is a licensed professional that works with the ICU interdisciplinary team to provide a link between treatment plans for the critical care patient and family members. Special knowledge that is acquired through formal, professional social work education, welfare policies and services, and social welfare systems and community resources guide the practice of social work.

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, mechanical ventilation (breathing machine) management, aerosol medication therapy, cardio-respiratory monitoring, and patient and caregiver education.

Physical Therapist or Occupational Therapist

The physical therapist provides services that restore function, improve mobility, relieve pain, and prevent or limit permanent physical disabilities. The occupational therapist is trained to make 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 other disciplines of the healthcare team to reduce physical and psychological disability 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 available to provide objective crisis intervention and spiritual support. Chaplains may also serve to assist in locating a clergy member of a specific denomination to better meet the patient and family's spiritual needs.