Question 1

what do critical care pharmacists do?

Accepted Answer

ICU Pharmacist: A critical care pharmacist is a pharmacist who specializes in the critical care or ICU where the needs of the patient are different than the regular floor of the hospital. They assist the Intensivist by recommending dose adjustment, alternate medication options in addition to preparing the IV mixture of the medication.  They are an integral part of the ICU treatment team.

Question 2

is critical care cost covered by medicare?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Generally there is coverage for critical care if you have medicare. Payment is linked to diagnoses and is fixed, so it doesn't cover all charges. However, patient's are only responsible for their deductibles.

Question 3

can  a critical care nurse work in a trauma unit?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Most icu's have the capacity to handle trauma and critical care nurses usually have plenty of experience managing these patients. There are some icu's that specialize specifically in trauma, but they also use critical care nurses.

Question 4

how is eclampsia treated by the critical care team?

Accepted Answer

Manage symptoms: Intensivists work with the obstetricians in a multidisciplinary, multispecialty collaborative practice team. Major treatment is to treat symptoms and manage preeclampsia. Specific treatment may include control of blood pressure, drugs for seizures. The only real treatment is delivery of the baby; the ICU team helps control the symptoms until the OB believes risk/benefit is in favor of delivery.

Question 5

are intensive care and critical care the same thing?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Yes, there are different intensive care unit ( cardiovascular, surgical or medical). The physician practicing in these units are Critical Care physicians.

Question 6

do nurses have to be certified in critical care to work in the icu?

Accepted Answer

No: Training in critical care is a must for rns who work there, but a special certification can be obtained (ccrn) which denotes advanced training and expertise. Rn's have to pass a special test to get this qualification and only a minority of critical care rn's have it.

Question 7

is a pastor available for family members of those in a critical care room?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Pastoral care is a part of the healthcare team in an ICU and should be available to you.

Question 8

please tell me if it is normal for critical care doctors to not update family member on a loved ones status?

Accepted Answer

Yes: They are generally bound by law to limit what they can say, especially in the us. There's also little reason to do so -- outcomes are uncertain. Physicians do have a duty to inform whoever is making the health-care decisions about likely outcomes, and if this isn't happening, you should talk with someone appropriate or if it seems very wrong, get legal counsel.

Question 9

which departments in the hospital are considered critical care?

Accepted Answer

Icu, ER, PACU and OR: as above.

Question 10

why are critical care nurses so important?

Accepted Answer

Nurses: All doctors need nurses, to help out with patients, procedures, exams, scheduling, monitoring, and many other duties, especially in institutions and busy practices.

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What do critical care pharmacists do?

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Is critical care cost covered by medicare?

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Can a critical care nurse work in a trauma unit?

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How is eclampsia treated by the critical care team?

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Are intensive care and critical care the same thing?

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Do nurses have to be certified in critical care to work in the icu?

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Is a pastor available for family members of those in a critical care room?

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Please tell me if it is normal for critical care doctors to not update family member on a loved ones status?

A member asked:

Which departments in the hospital are considered critical care?

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Why are critical care nurses so important?

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