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American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
  

Official Patient and Family website of the Society of Critical Care Medicine The ICU Team 

Many different health care professionals provide care in the ICU. So many in fact, sometimes keeping people and their roles straight is a bit difficult. The purpose of this section is to describe the various members of the ICU Team.

Dedication to purpose, mutual respect and careful coordination of efforts are essential in delivery of the best possible care to the critically ill and injured. The ICU Team best achieves this goal when all involved work closely together.

If you don't understand the role of an ICU staff member, please don't hesitate to ask.

Patient, Family and Friends

The patient, family and close friends are an essential part of the ICU team. While an ICU stay is frequently a stressful and highly emotional experience, understanding the problem and plan of action is crucial. Thus, communication is critical. ICU professionals should communicate with the family (and patient, if appropriate) regularly. Schedule regular times with the doctor(s) and nurses to get updates about the patient's condition. If the patient is unable to participate in the conversations, one family member should be appointed as spokesperson.

Professional Medical and Support Services Team Members

To learn more about the role of a specific ICU Team Member, click on the individual or group title.

   red dot  Attending Physician
   red dot  ICU Doctors (Intensivists)
   red dot  ICU Nurses (Critical Care Nurses)

Consulting Physicians

There are many recognized branches of medicine and surgery - too many, in fact, to describe in detail here. We have selected the most common ICU consulting physicians and surgeons and provide a brief description of their roles in the care of critically ill and injured patients.

Surgeons includes:
   red dot  Cardiothoracic surgeon
   red dot  ENT (Ear, Nose & Throat) surgeon
   red dot  General surgeon
   red dot  Gynecologic surgeon
   red dot  Neurosurgeon
   red dot  Oncologic surgeon
   red dot  Orthopedic surgeon
   red dot  Trauma surgeon
   red dot  Vascular surgeon

Other Specialists includes:

   red dot  Brain and Nervous System Doctor (Neurologist)
   red dot  Cancer Specialist (Oncologist)
   red dot  Heart Doctor (Cardiologist)
   red dot  Infectious Disease Doctor
   red dot  Kidney Doctor (Nephrologist)
   red dot  Lung Doctor (Pulmonologist)
   red dot  Pharmacist
   red dot  Rehabilitation Doctor
   red dot  Stomach Doctor (Gastroenterologist)

Other ICU Team Members includes:

   red dot  Clergy
   red dot  Dietitian
   red dot  ICU Technician
   red dot  Laboratory Technician
   red dot  Occupational Therapist
   red dot  Physical Therapist
   red dot  Radiology Technician (X-ray Technician)
   red dot  Respiratory Care Professional
   red dot  Social Worker
   red dot  Speech Therapist
   red dot  Unit Secretary

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