Glossary
Critical care, also known as intensive care, is a specialized area of healthcare that caters to patients with severe, life-threatening illnesses or injuries. These patients require constant, close monitoring and support from a team of specially-trained healthcare professionals. The goal of critical care is not only to treat the immediate life-threatening condition but also to prevent secondary health problems and to support the patient's overall well-being.
Critical care is a multidisciplinary field that involves a wide range of medical professionals including but not limited to:
Doctors
Nurses
Respiratory therapists
Pharmacists
Dietitians
Social workers
These professionals work together to provide comprehensive, coordinated care to critically ill patients.
Key aspects of critical care:
Intensive and continuous monitoring of patients
Quickly detecting any changes in the patient's condition
Respond immediately and efficiently
In addition to monitoring, critical care also involves providing life-supporting treatments.
This can include:
Mechanical ventilation to assist with breathing
Dialysis to support kidney function
Medications to control heart rate, blood pressure, and other vital functions
In some cases, patients in critical care may also require surgery or other invasive procedures.
Critical care also involves providing support to the patient's family.
This can include:
Providing information and updates about the patient's condition
Helping to make decisions about treatment options
Providing emotional support
In conclusion, critical care is a specialized area of healthcare that provides intensive monitoring and treatment for patients with severe, life-threatening illnesses or injuries.
