Being in the critical care unit depends on how severe your condition is. A few patients need 24-48 hours of monitoring, while others may need weeks or even months of critical care. Our critical care doctors in Hyderabad ensure that patients recover quickly and effectively.

Synopsis
Critical care refers to a special treatment for patients who have life-threatening conditions and need constant monitoring and support. At Gleneagles Hospitals, our advanced critical care provides treatment for various conditions, from respiratory failure to multi-organ dysfunction. Our experienced team of the best critical care doctors in Hyderabad provide 24/7 care using advanced technologies and evidence-based treatment approaches. They ensure that patients get the best chance at recovery.
What is Critical Care?
Critical care is intensive medical attention given to people with life-threatening injuries and illnesses. This care generally takes place in an ICU (Intensive Care Unit). Here, specially trained healthcare providers monitor patients the whole day for 24 hours.
You will need critical care if you have a serious issue that affects your vital organs, including your heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, or brain. These conditions can develop suddenly, and immediate care may be needed to save lives.
A few common reasons why some people who need critical care include:
- Severe burns
- COVID-19 complications
- Heart attack or heart failure
- Kidney failure
- Recovery from major surgeries
- Respiratory failure
- Sepsis (widespread infection)
- Serious injuries from accidents
- Stroke
- Shock
The main aim of critical care is to stabilise the functioning of vital organs until the body can fully recover and function again.
Inside the Critical Care Unit
At Gleneagles Hospitals, our critical care hospital in Hyderabad unit is made to provide constant monitoring and immediate support whenever needed. Our units have:
1. Advanced Equipment
In a critical care unit, healthcare providers use various specialised equipment:
- Catheters: Flexible tubes to deliver fluids or drain fluids from the body
- Dialysis machines: For patients with kidney failure
- Feeding tubes: To provide nutritional support
- IV tubes: To deliver fluids and medications
- Monitoring systems: To track vital signs continuously
- Oxygen therapy devices: To provide extra oxygen
- Tracheostomy tubes: Breathing tubes placed through the front of the neck
- Ventilators: Breathing machines for patients with respiratory failure
2. The Critical Care Team
At Gleneagles Hospitals, our critical care team includes:
- Intensivists: Doctors with specialised training in critical care
- Critical care nurses: Specialists in caring for critically ill patients
- Respiratory therapists: Experts in managing breathing support
- Physical and occupational therapists: Help maintain muscle function
- Nutritionists: Ensure proper nutrition during recovery
- Pharmacists: Manage complex medication regimens
- Social workers: Provide support to families
Our best critical care doctors in Hyderabad lead these multidisciplinary teams, ensuring coordinated care for every patient.
Common Critical Care Procedures
Various specialised procedures may be necessary during an ICU stay:
1. Airway Management and Breathing Support
- Mechanical Ventilation: Machine-assisted breathing for patients unable to breathe effectively
- Endotracheal Intubation: Insertion of a breathing tube through the mouth into the windpipe
- Tracheostomy: Creating a surgical opening in the neck to place a breathing tube directly into the windpipe
- Bronchoscopy: Using a flexible scope to view the airways or remove blockages
2. Cardiovascular Support
- Hemodynamic Monitoring: Advanced tracking of heart function and blood flow
- Central Venous Catheterization: Placement of a catheter into large veins for medication delivery and monitoring
- Vasopressor Therapy: Medications to raise blood pressure in patients with shock
- Intra-aortic Balloon Pumps: Devices that help improve blood flow from the heart
- Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO): A machine that temporarily takes over heart and lung function
3. Kidney Support
- Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT): A form of dialysis used for patients with acute kidney injury
- Hemodialysis: Filtering of blood through a machine to remove waste when kidneys fail
3. Neurological Monitoring
- Intracranial Pressure Monitoring: Measuring pressure inside the skull
- Transcranial Doppler Tests: Ultrasound imaging of blood flow in brain vessels
- Electroencephalography (EEG): Monitoring brain electrical activity
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Conditions Treated in Critical Care
The critical care team manages numerous life-threatening conditions:
1. Respiratory Conditions
- Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS): Severe lung inflammation causing breathing difficulty
- Pneumonia: Lung infection that can lead to respiratory failure
- Pulmonary Embolism: Blood clots in the lungs
- Asthma or COPD Exacerbations: Severe worsening of chronic lung conditions
2. Cardiovascular Emergencies
- Heart Attack (Myocardial Infarction): When blood flow to heart muscle is blocked
- Cardiogenic Shock: When the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body's needs
- Heart Failure: When the heart's pumping function is severely compromised
- Serious Arrhythmias: Dangerous abnormal heart rhythms
3. Neurological Crises
- Stroke: Brain damage from blocked or bleeding blood vessels
- Status Epilepticus: Prolonged seizures
- Traumatic Brain Injury: Damage to the brain from external force
- Intracranial Hemorrhage: Bleeding within the skull
4. Infections and Sepsis
- Septic Shock: Life-threatening condition caused by infection
- Severe COVID-19: Advanced coronavirus infection affecting multiple organs
- Meningitis: It is the infection of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord
5. Other Critical Conditions
- Acute Liver Failure: Sudden loss of liver function
- Acute Kidney Injury: Sudden decline in kidney function
- Multiple Organ Failure: Dysfunction of several body systems simultaneously
- Drug Overdose: Requiring intensive medical management

The Patient Journey in Critical Care
Understanding the typical phases of critical care can help patients and families navigate this challenging experience.
1. Admission Phase
The initial period focuses on stabilising the patient's condition through:
- Immediate interventions to support failing organs
- Diagnostic tests to determine the underlying cause
- Initiation of targeted treatments
- Continuous monitoring of vital functions
2. Stabilisation Phase
Once immediate threats are addressed, the team works to:
- Continue supporting affected body systems
- Prevent complications like infections or blood clots
- Begin addressing nutritional needs
- Start early mobilisation when possible
3. Recovery Phase
As the patient improves:
- Support measures are gradually reduced
- Physical and occupational therapy intensifies
- Preparation for transition to a regular hospital room begins
- iscussions about long-term recovery plans start
4. Post-ICU Recovery
After leaving the ICU:
- Continued monitoring in a step-down unit or regular hospital room Addressing Post-Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS) – physical, cognitive, and mental health challenges that can arise after critical illness
- Planning for rehabilitation needs
- Preparation for eventual discharge home or to a rehabilitation facility
What to Expect During a Critical Care Stay
Daily Routines
The ICU operates 24 hours a day with structured routines:
- Morning rounds where the entire team reviews each patient's condition and plan
- Regular nursing assessments throughout the day and night
- Scheduled medication administration and treatments
- Physical therapy sessions to prevent muscle weakness Regular repositioning to prevent pressure sores
- Hygiene care and comfort measures
Communication with the Medical Team
Effective communication is essential during an ICU stay:
- A designated family spokesperson may receive updates from the medical team
- Regular family conferences provide opportunities to discuss progress and plans
- Questions are encouraged – write them down before meetings
- Medical staff will explain unfamiliar terms and procedures
- Be prepared for honest discussions about prognosis and treatment options
Visiting in the ICU
Visiting policies vary but typically include the following:
- Specific visiting hours or scheduled times
- Limits on the number of visitors allowed at once
- Infection control procedures like handwashing
- Brief visits to avoid overwhelming the patient
- Bringing personal items for comfort (photos, familiar objects) when appropriate
Why Choose Critical Care at Gleneagles Hospitals?
At Gleneagles Hospitals, we provide critical care services using cutting-edge technologies and expertise. Our units feature:
- 24-hour care: Our board-certified critical care specialists are available all throughout the day and night
- Advanced monitoring systems: We use cutting-edge equipment to check on the patient
- Special treatment options: These include ECMO, improved breathing methods, and continuous renal replacement therapy.
- Collaboration: We have regular team meetings to ensure efficient collaboration between teams.
- Family-Centred Approach: Services for Families of Critically Ill Patients
- Post-ICU Follow-up Care: To address any long-term repercussions of certain illnesses.
We are committed to delivering exceptional medical care to patients who are critically ill while also providing support to their families.
Our Doctors
View allDr Priyanka P
Consultant Critical Care
Frequently Asked Questions
Each machine and alarm is important to monitor vital function and provide information about the patient’s condition. The alarms alert our staff if there are any changes
Many patients in critical care require breathing tubes that pass through the vocal cords, preventing speech. Additionally, some patients receive sedation to keep them comfortable, especially when on breathing machines. Our Gleneagles Hospital staff provides alternative communication methods for patients who are awake but unable to speak.
PICS refers to physical, cognitive, and mental health issues that come after a critical care stay. This can include muscle weakness, memory issues, anxiety, depression, or PTSD. Our critical care hospital in Hyderabad provides follow-up programs for these issues.
Family involvement is encouraged at Gleneagles Hospitals. Family members may participate in certain aspects of care under the guidance of our nursing staff. This involvement can benefit both the patient and family members during the critical care experience.
Treatment decisions are based on the patient's medical condition, established medical evidence, and the patient's known wishes. When patients cannot communicate, our best critical care doctors in Hyderabad consult advance directives if available and work closely with family members to ensure decisions respect the patient's values.