ICU care team
Our interprofessional care team works together to provide high-quality specialized care to critically ill patients in the intensive care unit (ICU).
Physicians
The physicians on the ICU team are called intensivists and are specialists in intensive care. They rotate on a weekly basis and can be reached 24 hours a day.
They consult with other specialists, such as cardiologists (heart specialists), nephrologists (kidney specialists) and hematologists (specialists in blood diseases) to ensure the best possible care.
The director of the ICU is a physician who is responsible for the overall medical care of patients.
Registered Nurses
Nurses in the ICU are specially trained to closely monitor patients and provide the necessary care and treatments.
Some nurses also have specific responsibilities within the unit:
- The charge nurse is responsible for the day-to-day running of the unit
- The nursing unit administrator (NUA) is responsible for administrative duties
- The clinical nurse specialist (CNS) supports clinical practice and nursing research
Respiratory Therapists
Some patients in the ICU need a ventilator, which is a machine that helps them breathe. Respiratory therapists (RTs) are trained to manage the ventilators to make sure patients receive the appropriate amount of oxygen therapy and support from the ventilator.
Pharmacist
A pharmacist who specializes in critical care assists the team in selecting the best medications for patients.
The pharmacist also supports the physicians and nurses in managing medications on an ongoing basis.
Dietitian
The dietitian assists the care team in deciding the best nutritional plan for the patient and works with the nurses to make sure patients get the right nutrition, including for patients who require tube feeding.
Physiotherapist
The physiotherapist works with the ICU team and supports nurses in finding ways to maintain the patient's lung function and physical mobility while in the ICU.
For example, the physiotherapist may help patients with breathing and coughing techniques that help clear their chest and airway or exercises to prevent problems that can happen when a patient is bed-bound for long periods of time.
Social worker
Having a loved one in the ICU can be very stressful. A social worker can provide support and help you cope during this time.
A social worker is available Monday to Friday to talk with you about your concerns and to connect you with community resources if needed. Please ask any member of the care team for a referral to a social worker.
Spiritual care
Patients and families can access our spiritual care team for comfort and spiritual and religious support.
Research coordinators
Research coordinators conduct research in the ICU on an ongoing basis. You may be asked for consent to have your family member enrolled in a research study designed to discover ways to improve care.
There is no obligation to participate in research and patient care will not be affected by your decision.
Unit clerks
Unit clerks work with charge nurses to ensure a smooth-functioning unit. They answer the phones, file information in the patient's chart and organize supplies.
Service assistants
Service assistants are available to help the nurses transport patients to and from tests outside the ICU.
They are also responsible for cleaning patient rooms and the general areas around the ICU and for running errands such as bringing blood samples to the laboratory.
Learners
Mount Sinai Hospital is a teaching hospital. Health professionals in training from all disciplines participate in the care of the patient under the supervision of the different team members.
