Specially Trained Doctors Care for Critical Care Patients
Patients with acutely life-threatening illnesses or injuries receive around-the-clock specialized medical and nursing care, such as mechanical ventilation and invasive cardiac monitoring in critical care units. Research has shown that hospitals staffing their critical care units with physicians who are board certified in critical care medicine can reduce critical care unit mortality by as much as 40%. Hospitals report on their use of physicians who are board-certified in critical care medicine (known as “intensivists”) care for adult and pediatric critical care patients.
ICU Physician Staffing bibliography
Patients Included in the Measure
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Inpatients (Patients who are admitted to the hospital for at least one overnight stay)
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Adults and Children