Critical Care Team

The critical care team includes a diverse group of highly trained professionals who provide care in a specialized area known as the intensive care unit (ICU). This team works 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 or board-eligible in a medical specialty, such as surgery, internal medicine, pediatrics, or anesthesiology, and who also receive special education, training, and subspecialty certification, specifically in caring for critically ill patients. 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 and understand 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 among 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 or injury. 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, some critical care nurses are recognized as a "CCRN." They have received more specialized education, training and testing and are certified by the American Association of Critical Care Nurses.

Pharmacist or Clinical Pharmacologist
A pharmacist or clinical pharmacologist is a board-certified or board-eligible 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. These specialists 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 critically ill or injured 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 critically ill or injured 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 assist with airway management of the critically ill 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 critically ill patient at home, in work situations, and during recreational activities. Both therapists work cooperatively with other disciplines of the health care team to reduce physical and psychological disability of the patient.

Physician Assistants, Nurse Practitioners
Physician assistants and nurse practitioners are licensed professionals with advanced training who provide clinical services in the ICU under the supervision of the intensivist. As part of the critical care team, they conduct physical exams, diagnose and treat illness, write orders, interpret tests, and perform procedures. They may be the “first responders” to assess changes in a patient’s condition and initiate therapy when the intensivist is not immediately available. Responsibilities may also include answering patient’s family's questions, providing some teaching responsibilities for the physicians-in-training on rotation in the ICU, and interacting with other health care professionals, such as the patient’s primary physician, consultants, pharmacists, respiratory therapists, and nutritionists.

Hospital Chaplain
The hospital chaplain is available to provide pastoral care to the critically ill 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.