CRITICAL
Crucial
Crisis
Emergency
Serious
Requiring immediate action
Thorough and constant observation
Total dependent
(Oxford Dictionary)
2Prof. Dr. R S Mehta, BPKIHS
CRITICAL CARE NURSING
The care of seriously ill clients from point
of injury or illness until discharge from
intensive care
Deals with human responses to life
threatening problems -trauma /major
surgery
(Mary,L.S., Deborah, G.K. & Marthe, J.M. 2005)
3Prof. Dr. R S Mehta, BPKIHS
CRITICAL CARE NURSE
care for clients who are very ill
provide direct one to one care
Responsible for making life-and death decision
At high risk of injury or illness from possible
exposure to infections
Communication skill is of optimal importance
4Prof. Dr. R S Mehta, BPKIHS
CRITICALLY ILL CLIENT
At high risk for actual or potential life-
threatening health problems
More ill
Required more intensive and careful
nursing care
5Prof. Dr. R S Mehta, BPKIHS
6
DEFINITIONS
CRITICAL CARE:
CRITICAL CARE IS A TERM USED
TO DESCRIBE AS THE CARE OF
PATIENTS WHO ARE EXTREMELY
ILL AND WHOSE CLINICAL
CONDITION IS UNSTABLE OR
POTENTIALLY UNSTABLE.
7Prof. Dr. R S Mehta, BPKIHS
CRITICAL CARE UNIT:
ITISDEFINEDASTHEUNITIN
WHICHCOMPREHENSIVE CARE
OFACRITICALLYILLPATIENT
WHICH IS DEEMED TO
RECOVERABLE STAGE IS
CARRIEDOUT.
8Prof. Dr. R S Mehta, BPKIHS
CRITICAL CARE NURSING:
IT REFERS TO THOSE
COMPREHENSIVE, SPECIALIZED
ANDINDIVIDUALIZEDNURSING
CARESERVICES WHICHARE
RENDERED TOPATIENTSWITH
LIFETHREATENING CONDITIONS
ANDTHEIRFAMILIES.
9Prof. Dr. R S Mehta, BPKIHS
An Ideal ICU
10Prof. Dr. R S Mehta, BPKIHS
Multidisciplinary &Collaborative
approach to ICU care
Medical &nursing directors :
co-responsibility for ICU management
• a team approach :
doctors, nurses, R/T, pharmacist
• use of standard, protocol, guideline
consistent approach to all issues
• dedication to coordination and communication
for all aspects of ICU management
• emphasis on research, education, ethical
issues, patient advocacy
11Prof. Dr. R S Mehta, BPKIHS
Team Dynamics
A multidisciplinary team to effectively
attain specified objective
Physician team leader & critical care
nurse manager
12Prof. Dr. R S Mehta, BPKIHS
Critical Care Practice
Pattern
Open
Closed
transitional
13Prof. Dr. R S Mehta, BPKIHS
Open Units
Definition :
any attending physician with hospital
admitting privileges can be the physician of
record and direct ICU care. (All other
physicians are consultants)
Disadvantage :
lack of a cohesive plan
Inconsistent night coverage
Duplication of services
14Prof. Dr. R S Mehta, BPKIHS
Closed Units
Definition:
An intensivistis the physician of record for
ICU patients. (other physicians are
consultants), All orders & procedures carried
out by ICU staff
• advantage:
• improved efficiency
• standardized protocol for care
• disadvantage:
• potential to lock out private physician
• increase physician conflict
15Prof. Dr. R S Mehta, BPKIHS
Transitional Units
Definition:
intensives are locally present shared co-
managed care between ICU staff and private
physician
ICU staff is a final common pathway for orders
and procedures
Advantage:
reduce physician conflict, standard policies and
procedures usually present
Disadvantage:
confusion and conflict regarding final authority &
responsibilities for patient care decision
16Prof. Dr. R S Mehta, BPKIHS
ICU Model Care
Full-time intensivistmodel :
patient care is provided by an intensivist
Consultant intensivistmodel :
an intensivistconsults for another physician to
coordinate or assist in critical care, but dose not
have primary responsibility for care
Multiple consultant model:
multiple specialists are involved in the patient care,
(esp. R/T doctors for ventilators), but none is
designated especially as the consultant intensivist
Single physician model :
primary physician provides all ICU care
17Prof. Dr. R S Mehta, BPKIHS
A Good ICU
Well organized
trust
coordinated care
• Full-time intensivist: daily round
• protocol & policies (eg: how to DC elective
operation when bed not available)
• bedside nurses (master degree)
• no intern
18Prof. Dr. R S Mehta, BPKIHS
A Good ICU
A team:
doctors, nurses, R/T, pharmacists
• led by full time intensivists
critical care trained
available in a timely fashion (24hr/day)
no competiting clinical responsibilities
during duty
• closed units, if resources allow
19Prof. Dr. R S Mehta, BPKIHS
What are the conditions
considered as Critical?
1.ANY PERSON WITH LIFE
THREATENING CONDITION
2.PATIENTS WITH :
ARF
AMI
CARDIAC TAMPONATE
SEVERE SHOCK
20Prof. Dr. R S Mehta, BPKIHS
HEART BLOCK
ACUTE RENAL FAILURE
POLY TRAUMA, MULTIPLE
ORGAN FAILURE AND ORGAN
DYSFUNCTION
SEVERE BURNS
21Prof. Dr. R S Mehta, BPKIHS
CLASSIFICATION OF
CRITICAL CARE PATIENTS
Level O : normal ward care
Level 1: at risk of deteriorating , support
from critical care team
Level 2 : more observation or
intervention, single failing organ or post
operative care
Level 3; advanced respiratory support or
basic respiratory support ,multiorgan
failure
22Prof. Dr. R S Mehta, BPKIHS
Types of ICU
General
MedicalIntensiveCareUnit(MICU)
SurgicalIntensiveCareUnit
MedicalSurgicalIntensiveCareUnit(MSICU)
Specialized
NeonatalIntensiveCareUnit(NICU)
SpecialCareNursery(SCN)
PaediatricIntensiveCareUnit(PICU)
CoronaryCareUnit(CCU)
CardiacSurgeryIntensiveCareUnit(CSICU)
NeuroSurgeryIntensiveCareUnit(NSICU)
BurnIntensiveCareUnit(BICU)
TraumaIntensiveCareUnit
23Prof. Dr. R S Mehta, BPKIHS
PRINCIPLES OF CRITICAL
CARE NURSING
ANTICIPATION : The first
principle in critical care is Anticipation.
One has to recognize the high risk
patients and anticipate the requirements,
complications and be prepared to meet
any emergency. Unit is properly
organized in which all necessary
equipments and supplies are mandatory
for smooth running of the unit.
24Prof. Dr. R S Mehta, BPKIHS
EARLY DETECTION AND
PROMPT ACTION :
The prognosis of the patient depends on
the early detection of variation, prompt
and appropriate action to prevent or
combat complication. Monitoring of
cardiac respiratory function is of prime
importance in assessment.
Prof. Dr. R S Mehta, BPKIHS 25
COLLABORATIVE PRACTICE :
Critical Care, which has originated as technical
sub-specialized body of knowledge has evolved
into a comprehensive discipline requiring a very
specialized body of knowledge for the physicians
and nurses working in the critical care unit fosters
a partnerships for decision making and ensures
quality and compassionate patient care.
Collaborate practice is more and more warranted
for critical care more than in any other field.
26Prof. Dr. R S Mehta, BPKIHS
COMMUNICATION :
Intra professional, inter departmental and
inter personal communication has a
significant importance in the smooth
running of unit. Collaborative practice of
communication model
Prof. Dr. R S Mehta, BPKIHS 27
Prevention of Infection : Nosocomial
infection cost a lot in the health care services.
Critically ill patients requiring intensive care are at
a greater risk than other patients due to the
immunocompromisedstate with the antibiotic
usage and stress, invasive lines, mechanical
ventilators, prolonged stay and severity of illness
and environment of the critical unit itself.
28Prof. Dr. R S Mehta, BPKIHS
Crisis Intervention and Stress
Reduction : partnerships are formulated
during crisis. Bonds between nurses,
patients and families are stronger during
hospitalization. As patient advocates,
nurses assist the patient to express fear
and identify their grieving pattternand
provide avenues for positive coping.
29Prof. Dr. R S Mehta, BPKIHS
“It may seem a
strange principle to
enunciate (articulate)
as the very first
requirement in a
Hospital that it should
do the sick no harm.”
[1859]
30Prof. Dr. R S Mehta, BPKIHS