At some point in their lives, nearly 80 percent of all Americans will suffer, or know someone who is suffering, from a life-threatening illness or injury. From heart attack and stroke to burns and gunshot wounds, every day thousands of people suffer from critical conditions that place their lives in jeopardy. The practice of critical care medicine evolved from the need to provide these people with immediate and continuous medical attention.
Critical care medicine refers exclusively to the care of patients with critical illness, many of whom have sustained or are at risk of suffering failure of at least one organ system and require intensive care over a period of hours, days or weeks. This differs from emergency medicine, which cares for people whose conditions require immediate care at a given point in time, usually in the emergency department or before arriving at the hospital. Additionally, professionals trained in the treatment of critically ill people provide critical care in separate, specialized care units in the hospital.
Critical Illness and Injuries
Typical life-threatening illnesses and injuries include the following:
- Cardiovascular dysfunction (very high or very low blood pressure, heart attack, severe heart failure, shock)
- Pulmonary problems (pneumonia, severe asthma, acute respiratory distress syndrome [ARDS])
- Brain injuries (stroke, injury to the head)
- Trauma (auto accidents, gunshot wounds, severe burns, poisoning)
- Neonatal complications (premature birth)
- Complications from infection (sepsis)
