The Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) expresses heartbreak over the death of intensive care unit (ICU) nurse Alex Pretti in Minneapolis this past weekend. The Society extends its deepest condolences to his loved ones, colleagues, and the broader critical care community grieving this loss.
Any loss of life is devastating, and the death of a clinician reverberates across all teams who dedicate themselves to providing patient care. SCCM recognizes the many patients and families whose lives were touched by Alex’s care over the course of his career and honors the service he brought to the bedside.
In moments like this, the critical care community must come together within ICUs and across the entire continuum of care to support one another through grief. SCCM encourages those affected by this news to lean on colleagues and to seek peer or professional support as needed.
SCCM urges leaders and authorities at all levels to work collaboratively and urgently to de-escalate tensions, reduce harm, and prevent further loss of life in Minneapolis and anywhere communities are experiencing unrest.
SCCM also shares the
American Medical Association’s concern about reports of immigration enforcement activity “in and around hospitals and emergency rooms.” Fear can discourage people from seeking needed medical attention and can erode trust in healthcare settings, ultimately undermining patient safety and clinicians’ ability to provide care. Patients and clinicians must be able to seek and deliver care in environments grounded in safety and trust.
Guided by its mission to secure the highest-quality care for all critically ill and injured patients, SCCM will continue to champion safe, trusted care environments and clinician well-being so multiprofessional teams can provide the best possible outcomes for every patient.
