Team Structure

Team rounding structure is variable based on the unit but always consists of interns with a resident and intensivist, sometimes a pulmonary/critical care fellow, and often with a third or fourth-year medical student. Rounds are multidisciplinary and include input from nurses, pharmacists, social workers, case management, nutritionists and respiratory therapists. In most units, residents work closely with advanced practice RNs and physician assistants.

Workload

Interns work less than 80 hours per week and have 1 day off in 7 when averaged over four weeks.

Experience

Residents in the Critical Care Units provide care to complex patients requiring medical intensive care, acute coronary care, and combined medical/neurological intensive care. Rotations in each type of unit give residents experience with a variety of critically ill patients, with a focus on the unique aspects of the specialty of each unit. At each site, residents get hands-on experience with point-of-care ultrasound. There is an opportunity to become certified in invasive procedures.

Patient Population

The Critical Care Unit patients are admitted from the Emergency Room, transferred from the General Medical floors, or transferred from other hospitals via ambulance or our LIFE STAR helicopter service.

Educational Activities

Case conferences and group discussions deal with all aspects of patient care, including data acquisition, problem delineation and synthesis, and pathophysiologic principles and management.