Intensive Care Unit (icu)

Social worker: Families in the ICU may benefit from talking to a clinical social worker, sometimes called a case manager. Social workers are trained to help with communication between medical team members and family. An ICU social worker may offer emotional support, provide referrals to community resources, assist with the transition out of the ICU and help families navigate the end-of-life decision making process.

Clergy/chaplains: Hospital clergy members provide emotional and spiritual support to ICU patients and their families. Some ICUs have their own dedicated chaplains; others have a hospital chaplain that serves patients and family in all hospital units.

To learn more about ICUs, check out our Prepared Patient Feature, "Cutting Through ICU Confusion," here: http://www.cfah.org/hbns/preparedpatient/Vol4/Prepared-Patient-Vol4-Issue8.cfm Social worker: Families in the ICU may benefit from talking to a clinical social worker, sometimes called a case manager. Social workers are trained to help with communication between medical team members and family. An ICU social worker may offer emotional support, provide referrals to community resources, assist with the transition out of the ICU and help families navigate the end-of-life decision making process.

Clergy/chaplains: Hospital clergy members provide emotional and spiritual support to ICU patients and their families. Some ICUs have their own dedicated chaplains; others have a hospital chaplain that serves patients and family in all hospital units.

To learn more about ICUs, check out our Prepared Patient Feature, "Cutting Through ICU Confusion," here: http://www.cfah.org/hbns/preparedpatient/Vol4/Prepared-Patient-Vol4-Issue8.cfm

Ask your loved one’s nurse if it’s okay to bring in pictures and comfort objects, like blankets and stuffed animals, to help them feel more at home. You may also want to offer to help with routine care, like combing hair, swabbing the mouth, massaging or putting lotion on their arms or legs.

To learn more about ICUs, check out our Prepared Patient Feature, "Cutting Through ICU Confusion," here: http://www.cfah.org/hbns/preparedpatient/Vol4/Prepared-Patient-Vol4-Issue8.cfm Ask your loved one’s nurse if it’s okay to bring in pictures and comfort objects, like blankets and stuffed animals, to help them feel more at home. You may also want to offer to help with routine care, like combing hair, swabbing the mouth, massaging or putting lotion on their arms or legs.

To learn more about ICUs, check out our Prepared Patient Feature, "Cutting Through ICU Confusion," here: http://www.cfah.org/hbns/preparedpatient/Vol4/Prepared-Patient-Vol4-Issue8.cfm

Doctors recommend that one family member act as a conduit for information between the rest of the family and the medical team. This person can write down everyone’s questions and speak with the medical team at a convenient time. Don’t be afraid to ask your doctor to explain if you don’t understand the terminology they are using. If you are having trouble communicating with your loved one’s doctors, you may want to talk to a social worker or case manager. The hospital may have a social worker on staff or be able to recommend one to you.

To learn more about ICUs, check out our Prepared Patient Feature, "Cutting Through ICU Confusion," here: http://www.cfah.org/hbns/preparedpatient/Vol4/Prepared-Patient-Vol4-Issue8.cfm Doctors recommend that one family member act as a conduit for information between the rest of the family and the medical team. This person can write down everyone’s questions and speak with the medical team at a convenient time. Don’t be afraid to ask your doctor to explain if you don’t understand the terminology they are using. If you are having trouble communicating with your loved one’s doctors, you may want to talk to a social worker or case manager. The hospital may have a social worker on staff or be able to recommend one to you.

To learn more about ICUs, check out our Prepared Patient Feature, "Cutting Through ICU Confusion," here: http://www.cfah.org/hbns/preparedpatient/Vol4/Prepared-Patient-Vol4-Issue8.cfm

Talk to the ICU nurse. ICU nurses reassess pain regularly and administer medications as necessary, but it doesn’t hurt to advocate for your loved one.

To learn more about ICUs, check out our Prepared Patient Feature, "Cutting Through ICU Confusion," here: http://www.cfah.org/hbns/preparedpatient/Vol4/Prepared-Patient-Vol4-Issue8.cfm Talk to the ICU nurse. ICU nurses reassess pain regularly and administer medications as necessary, but it doesn’t hurt to advocate for your loved one.

To learn more about ICUs, check out our Prepared Patient Feature, "Cutting Through ICU Confusion," here: http://www.cfah.org/hbns/preparedpatient/Vol4/Prepared-Patient-Vol4-Issue8.cfm

Though policies vary from hospital to hospital, most ICUs allow you to visit someone during visiting hours. Children under the age of 14 may not be allowed because of the risk of infection and the potential for the child to be affected psychologically. Be aware that patients in the ICU may have bruising, swelling, bandages, catheters or tubes in the nose or mouth. Due to their illness or medications, patients may have trouble thinking or speaking clearly and may be disoriented, hostile or confused. While you are visiting, you may be asked to leave during certain medical procedures.

To learn more about ICUs, check out our Prepared Patient Feature, "Cutting Through ICU Confusion," here: http://www.cfah.org/hbns/preparedpatient/Vol4/Prepared-Patient-Vol4-Issue8.cfm Though policies vary from hospital to hospital, most ICUs allow you to visit someone during visiting hours. Children under the age of 14 may not be allowed because of the risk of infection and the potential for the child to be affected psychologically. Be aware that patients in the ICU may have bruising, swelling, bandages, catheters or tubes in the nose or mouth. Due to their illness or medications, patients may have trouble thinking or speaking clearly and may be disoriented, hostile or confused. While you are visiting, you may be asked to leave during certain medical procedures.

To learn more about ICUs, check out our Prepared Patient Feature, "Cutting Through ICU Confusion," here: http://www.cfah.org/hbns/preparedpatient/Vol4/Prepared-Patient-Vol4-Issue8.cfm

Because the patients are so sick, intensive care units (ICUs) are busier than other hospital units. They may also have more ambient noise from machines and monitors. ICUs have more nurses, with each nurse only taking care of one or two patients. The layout is more open, so nurses can easily monitor patients; rooms may not have doors, or may only have three walls.

To learn more about ICUs, check out our Prepared Patient Feature, "Cutting Through ICU Confusion," here: http://www.cfah.org/hbns/preparedpatient/Vol4/Prepared-Patient-Vol4-Issue8.cfm Because the patients are so sick, intensive care units (ICUs) are busier than other hospital units. They may also have more ambient noise from machines and monitors. ICUs have more nurses, with each nurse only taking care of one or two patients. The layout is more open, so nurses can easily monitor patients; rooms may not have doors, or may only have three walls.

To learn more about ICUs, check out our Prepared Patient Feature, "Cutting Through ICU Confusion," here: http://www.cfah.org/hbns/preparedpatient/Vol4/Prepared-Patient-Vol4-Issue8.cfm

If you or a loved one is in the ICU (sometimes referred to as critical care), you'll come in contact with a variety of medical professionals. Here's a brief who's who:

Intensivist: Doctors who diagnose ICU patients and direct their care and treatment are called intensivists. Intensivists, also called critical care doctors, have specialty and subspecialty training in treating critically injured and ill patients. Intensivists usually work in the ICU full-time.

ICU nurse/critical care nurse: ICU nurses carry out the intensivist's plan of care. They monitor the patient, assess pain, administer medications and perform tasks such as placing tubes and managing equipment. They also work closely with families, explaining the patient's condition and care.

Nurse manager: The nursing unit manager, or charge nurse, oversees the nursing care in the ICU and assists the nurses when necessary.

Specialty physician: Depending on the reason for being in the ICU, a patient may see one or more doctors with extra training and knowledge about a specific organ or condition.

Pharmacist: Pharmacists prescribe medicine dosages for ICU patients. Like intensivists, ICU pharmacists have specialty training in prescribing medicines for critically ill and injured patients.

Therapist: Several types of therapists work with the critical care team. Respiratory therapists help ICU staff monitor the patient's breathing. Physical therapists work to minimize permanent disabilities. Occupational therapists in the ICU help patients to perform daily tasks independently.

For more about ICUs, check out our Prepared Patient Feature, "Cutting Through ICU Confusion," here: http://www.cfah.org/hbns/preparedpatient/Vol4/Prepared-Patient-Vol4-Issue8.cfm
If you or a loved one is in the ICU (sometimes referred to as critical care), you'll come in contact with a variety of medical professionals. Here's a brief who's who:

Intensivist: Doctors who diagnose ICU patients and direct their care and treatment are called intensivists. Intensivists, also called critical care doctors, have specialty and subspecialty training in treating critically injured and ill patients. Intensivists usually work in the ICU full-time.

ICU nurse/critical care nurse: ICU nurses carry out the intensivist's plan of care. They monitor the patient, assess pain, administer medications and perform tasks such as placing tubes and managing equipment. They also work closely with families, explaining the patient's condition and care.

Nurse manager: The nursing unit manager, or charge nurse, oversees the nursing care in the ICU and assists the nurses when necessary.

Specialty physician: Depending on the reason for being in the ICU, a patient may see one or more doctors with extra training and knowledge about a specific organ or condition.

Pharmacist: Pharmacists prescribe medicine dosages for ICU patients. Like intensivists, ICU pharmacists have specialty training in prescribing medicines for critically ill and injured patients.

Therapist: Several types of therapists work with the critical care team. Respiratory therapists help ICU staff monitor the patient's breathing. Physical therapists work to minimize permanent disabilities. Occupational therapists in the ICU help patients to perform daily tasks independently.

For more about ICUs, check out our Prepared Patient Feature, "Cutting Through ICU Confusion," here: http://www.cfah.org/hbns/preparedpatient/Vol4/Prepared-Patient-Vol4-Issue8.cfm