What is sepsis?
Your doctor or the intensivist (a doctor with special expertise and training in the care of critically ill patients) treating your loved one in the ICU may have told you that the patient has severe sepsis. That may be the reason he or she was ... [... more]
Society of Critical Care Medicine |
What is critical care?
Critical care is provided by multiprofessional teams of highly experienced and professional physicians, nurses, respiratory care technicians, pharmacists and other allied health professionals who use their unique expertise, ability to interpret ... [... more]
Society of Critical Care Medicine |
Why Do ICU Patients Look and Act That Way?
Your loved one may have multiple tubes and lines in place when he or she is in the ICU. There are many variations of the types of tubes and monitors required. Your loved one may have some, none, or all of the following listed below. Most of these ... [... more]
Society of Critical Care Medicine |
Taking Care of Yourself While a Loved One is in the ICU
As a family member or a significant person in a patient's life, you may experience feelings of helplessness or loss of control when a loved one is in the intensive care unit. This brochure is designed to provide strategies to help you cope with ... [... more]
Society of Critical Care Medicine |
Advance directive
Instructions to family, friends, physicians and others which describe a person's preferences for medical treatment, should they become incapacitated. Advance directives include living wills, durable power of attorney (for health care) and the ... [... more]
Society of Critical Care Medicine |
What Are My Choices Regarding Life Support?
Life support replaces or supports a failing bodily function. In treatable or curable conditions, life support is used temporarily until the body can resume normal functioning. But, in situations where a cure is not possible, life support may ... [... more]
Society of Critical Care Medicine |
Intensivists
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 ... [... more]
Society of Critical Care Medicine |
When Your Child is Admitted to the Intensive Care Unit
A health care team that is expert in the care of very sick children is here to take care of your child. The first sight of your child in the intensive care unit (ICU) can be upsetting and confusing. Your child may not recognize you and will be ... [... more]
Society of Critical Care Medicine |
Helpful Hospital Safety Tips
You are an integral part of your health care team and play an important role in improving your own health. Through involvement with the hospital staff and interest in your own care, you may heal faster. Please keep the following suggestions in ... [... more]
Society of Critical Care Medicine |
Common Problems of Critical Illness
Conditions that may bring your loved one into the ICU or that may develop while in the unit. There are many reasons a person may need care in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU). This brochure will attempt to explain some of the more common problems and ... [... more]
Society of Critical Care Medicine |
Participating in Care: What Questions Should I Ask?
The intensive care unit is a busy, noisy environment. There are many alarms, monitors, and devices. Watching everything that happens here may raise many questions. This brochure is meant to help guide your questions to the members of the ICU ... [... more]
Society of Critical Care Medicine |
|
