Introduction to the ICU

Seriously ill patients come to the intensive care unit (ICU) for specialized care that can include intensive monitoring or support, as well as medications or procedures. Intensive care is provided by a team of doctors, nurses, physician assistants and nurse practitioners, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, and rehabilitation specialists, each trained to provide the advanced care a critically ill patient requires.

Specialized equipment helps us care for our patients. For example, we can monitor the patient’s heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate. This equipment can be loud. If it will put you at ease, please ask what the different sounds mean. For more information, you may want to see our videos: “Sounds of the ICU” and “Mechanical Ventilation.”

You can be certain that our team is working to provide our patients with the best possible care while in the ICU. Please be assured that your loved one is in the best of hands and that safe, patient-centered care is our most important concern.