Emergency & Acute Care Medicine

Critical Care Procedures

Critical care procedures encompass a range of medical interventions performed on patients who are in a critical or life-threatening condition. These procedures are typically carried out in intensive care units (ICUs) and other specialized healthcare settings by highly trained medical professionals, including critical care nurses, physicians, and respiratory therapists. Below are some common critical care procedures:

• Endotracheal Intubation: The insertion of a breathing tube into the trachea to secure the airway and facilitate mechanical ventilation. This is often done when a patient is unable to breathe on their own adequately.


• Mechanical Ventilation: The use of a ventilator to assist or completely take over a patient's breathing. This can be invasive (through a breathing tube) or non-invasive (via a mask).


• Central Venous Catheterization: The placement of a catheter into a large vein, often in the neck, chest, or groin, to monitor central venous pressure and administer medications or fluids.


• Arterial Line Placement: The insertion of a catheter into an artery, usually in the wrist or groin, to continuously monitor blood pressure and draw blood samples without repeated needle sticks.


• Hemodynamic Monitoring: Continuous monitoring of a patient's cardiovascular status, including blood pressure, heart rate, and cardiac output. This is crucial for managing shock and other critical conditions.


• Chest Tube Insertion: Placement of a tube into the pleural space to drain air, blood, or other fluids from the chest, often necessary for conditions like pneumothorax or hemothorax.


• Dialysis: The process of filtering and purifying a patient's blood when their kidneys are unable to perform this function adequately.


• Tracheostomy: The creation of a surgical opening in the trachea through the neck to establish a more permanent airway. This is often performed when prolonged intubation is required.


• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR): A set of emergency procedures performed to manually restore blood circulation and breathing in patients experiencing cardiac arrest.


• Intravenous (IV) Medication Administration: Administering critical medications directly into a patient's bloodstream to achieve rapid effect.


• Pacemaker or Defibrillator Implantation: Surgical insertion of a device to regulate heart rhythm and deliver electrical shocks if needed.


• Bronchoscopy: The insertions of a thin, flexible tube into the airways to visualize and assess the lungs, obtain samples, and remove obstructions.


• Lumbar Puncture: A procedure where a needle is inserted into the spinal canal to obtain cerebrospinal fluid for diagnostic purposes or to relieve pressure.


• Intra-aortic Balloon Pump (IABP) Insertion: Placement of a device in the aorta to help improve cardiac function by assisting with pumping blood.