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Synopsis

Critical care is a specialised branch of the healthcare system that deals with treating critically ill patients. Here, we will give you complete information about Critical Care in the medical field. You can read below to learn everything about critical care, who needs it, how it is given, and the top Critical Care Hospital in Hyderabad. 

Introduction

Critical care is specialised care given to critically ill patients. These patients need continuous monitoring, immediate medical intervention, and advanced life support systems to manage vital organ functions and improve survival. If you are looking for the best critical care doctors in Hyderabad, you must visit the Gleneagles Hospital.

What is critical care?

Critical care is a part of medicine focusing on the management and treatment of seriously ill patients. These patients are kept in intensive care units (ICU) or wards where proper monitoring of physiological and organ function can be done. It mainly focuses on prevention of acute complications, early detection of complications, and immediate response to emergencies.

What is critical care?

Who needs critical care?

People suffering from severe and life-threatening conditions need critical care. Life-threatening conditions include the following:

  • Trauma and accidents: People suffering from severe burns, head or spinal injuries, or multiple fractures after an accident will need special care.
  • Cardiac emergencies: People suffering from heart attacks, congestive heart failure, or cardiac arrest will need immediate attention and care.
  • Respiratory failure: Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pulmonary embolism, pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, or COVID-19 will need intensive care.
  • Severe infection and sepsis: Severe blood infections can cause organ failure and need immediate care. Similarly, people suffering from meningitis or other severe infections will need specialised care and treatment.
  • Stroke and neurological problems: Hemorrhagic shock due to brain bleeding, brain swelling, or ischemic stroke caused by blood clots will need immediate care.
  • Post-surgical critical care: Complex surgeries like organ transplants and heart surgery may need critical care after surgery to prevent infection and bleeding.
  • Multiple-organ failure: People suffering from multiple-organ failure will need critical care.
  • Drug overdose and poisoning: Intentional or accidental drug overdose can put your life at risk and may need immediate and special care and treatment. 

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Important Features of Critical Care

Critical care includes intensive monitoring and providing life support systems to critically ill patients. The main features of critical care include:

  • Constant monitoring of vital functions such as blood pressure and heart rate through ECG.
  • Checking oxygen levels and breathing using pulse oximetry and blood gas tests.
  • Monitoring neurological status using EEG for activity.
  • Evaluating organ functions and detecting infections using blood tests.
  • Life support equipment includes the following:
  • Mechanical ventilators to help patients breathe.
  • A dialysis machine is used to filter waste from the blood in case of kidney failure.
  • Infusion pumps deliver adequate amounts of medications and fluids.
  • Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation machine that oxygenates the blood in cases of lung failure.
  • Pacemakers and defibrillators to maintain heart rhythm in patients suffering from cardiac dysfunctions.

Different Kinds of Intensive Care Units (ICUs)

Different kinds of ICUs available in the hospitals to provide specific care include the following:

  • Medical ICU (MICU): It is used to treat patients suffering from conditions such as pneumonia, sepsis, and multiple organ failure.
  • Cardiac ICU (CICU/CCU): It is used to treat patients suffering from heart diseases such as heart attacks and post-cardiac surgery.
  • Surgical ICU (SICU): It helps to manage patients recovering from complicated surgeries such as organ transplants or major trauma surgery.
  • Neonatal ICU (NICU) and Pediatric ICU (PICU): It is used to treat premature infants and critically ill children.
  • Neurological ICU: It helps to treat patients with brain injuries, strokes, or post-brain surgery.
  • Trauma ICU (TICU): It is used to treat patients suffering from severe injuries due to accidents or fights. 

Medications Administered during Critical Care

Patients kept in the ICU receive specialised medications to manage their condition. Important medications given to patients during critical care include the following:

  • Sedatives and painkillers: These are used to give comfort and pain relief.
  • Vasopressors: These are given to maintain blood pressure in patients suffering from heart problems.
  • Antibiotics and antivirals: These are given to fight severe infections like sepsis and to prevent infection in patients with major surgeries.
  • Anticoagulants or blood thinners: These are given to prevent blood clots in bedridden patients.
  • Steroids and anti-inflammatory drugs: These are given to reduce swelling and inflammation in the brain, lungs, and other organs.

Benefits and Risks of Critical Care

The most important benefits of critical care include:

  • It helps to save lives by providing emergency intervention to severely ill patients.
  • It helps to prevent organ failure by using an advanced organ support system.
  • It helps to manage complex problems such as sepsis, severe trauma, and multiple organ failure.
  • It provides support to patients after complex surgeries so that they can recover quickly.
  • It helps to offer 24/7 monitoring of patients to respond quickly to medical emergencies.

Risks & Complications

The risks of critical care include:

  • Critically ill patients are highly unstable and need constant attention.
  • ICU patients have a weak immune system, so they are prone to secondary infections.
  • Critical care is expensive and not affordable for all critically ill patients. 

Why choose Gleneagles Hospitals for Critical Care?

Gleneagles Hospital is the trusted Critical Care Hospital in Hyderabad. At Gleneagles Hospital, you can meet the best critical care doctors in Hyderabad. The hospital is known for its cutting-edge technology, expert critical care team, and individualised approach. Reasons to choose Gleneagles Hospital are:

  • Advanced Intensive Care Units: The hospital has well-equipped ICU units equipped with modern and advanced life support systems. The hospital also has specialised ICUs for neurological, cardiac, neonatal, and trauma care. The doctors monitor patients using advanced diagnostic tools.
  • Expert Critical Care Team: Gleneagles Hospital has highly trained critical care doctors who are available around the clock. The specialist doctors who look after critically ill patients include pulmonologists, cardiologists, nephrologists, neurologists, and trauma surgeons. Nurses and supporting staff are also trained in managing advanced life support systems.
  • Modern Life Support Technology: The hospital is well equipped with advanced mechanical ventilators, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, a hemodynamic monitoring system, and artificial intelligence-assisted monitoring to detect early signs of complications.
  • Multi-disciplinary Approach: The hospital uses a multi-disciplinary approach and comprehensive care for patients with multiple organ failure. Surgeons, radiologists, and rehabilitation specialists work together seamlessly to offer the best care and treatment to the patients.
  • Infection Control and Patient Safety: Gleneagles Hospital pays attention to providing safety to patients undergoing critical care treatment to prevent secondary infections. HEPA filtration and air purification systems are installed in ICUs to keep sterile environments.
  • Round-the-Clock Emergency Services: Rapid response teams are available round the clock in the Gleneagles Hospital to provide emergency care and treatment. The hospital has advanced ambulances with mobile ICU support for seriously ill patients. Doctors and staff are ready for emergency procedures around the clock.

Conclusion

Critical care is an important part of the medical system to manage life-threatening conditions and improve survival rates. There is a chance of recovery for critically ill patients with immediate critical care. You must look for the top Critical Care Hospital in Hyderabad to get the best and immediate treatment for severely ill patients. Gleneagles Hospital has expert ICU teams and modern ICUs and offers personalised treatments to critically ill patients in a holistic manner. 

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can patients recover fully after an ICU stay?

Yes, many patients can recover fully after an ICU stay. However, some patients may experience complications such as:

  • Physical weakness due to prolonged bed rest.
  • Memory loss and confusion due to excess medications given during the treatment.
  • Anxiety, depression, and stress due to side effects from medications.
  • Lung or heart complications may occur in severe cases.
What is an intensive care unit (ICU)?

An intensive care unit (ICU) is a specialised unit in the hospital where severely ill patients receive advanced medical care, life support, and around-the-clock monitoring. The ICU is equipped with advanced tools and equipment, such as dialysis machines, ventilators, cardiac monitors, and other lifesaving equipment.
 

What happens after a patient is discharged from the critical care hospital in Hyderabad​?

After a patient is discharged from the ICU, he is shifted to a ward for moderate care and monitoring before returning home. 

  • The patient is recommended physical therapy to regain physical movements.
  • The patient may have to stay in the hospital for a few more days to recover fully.
How can family members support the quick recovery of an ICU patient?

Family members can help in the quick recovery of an ICU patient in the following ways:

  • They should stay informed about the condition of the patient
  • They should offer emotional support and love to the patient.
  • They should assist the patient with physical therapy and rehabilitation after returning home.
  • They should manage follow-up appointments and medications after returning home.
     
What are the main goals of critical care?

The main goals of critical care include the following:

  • To stabilise the patient’s condition
  • To prevent complications and infections
  • To provide support for vital organ functions
  • To improve survival chances and quick recovery
  • To provide advanced monitoring and treatment. 

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