What Is Critical Care?​

Critical care is medical care for patients whose illness requires close, constant watch by a team of specially trained caregivers. Most critical care takes place in an intensive care unit (ICU) or a trauma center. This site aims to educate patients and families about critical care during an ICU and about life after release from the hospital. 

THRIVE: Post-Intensive Care Syndrome

More people are surviving critical illness, leading to an increase in a condition called post-intensive care syndrome (PICS). PICS is made up of health problems that remain after critical illness. These problems can involve the patient’s body, thoughts, feelings, or mind and may affect the family. The THRIVE initiative aims to help educate patients, their families, and the healthcare community about PICS and provide resources for how to thrive after an ICU stay.

Important Information
  • COVID-19
    COVID-19
    COVID-19 resourses can be found on the CDC website.
  • PICS Support Group
    PICS Support Group
    The Post-Intensive Care Syndrome Support Group is a closed Facebook group for patients who have survived critical illness and their families.
  • PICS
    Post-intensive Care Syndrome
    This guide helps you understand the health problems known as post-intensive care syndrome, or PICS.
  • Glossary
    Glossary
    An A to Z list of critical care words and what they mean.