Intensive Care Unit (ICU)

Intensive Care Unit (ICU) 1. Level I Trauma Centers must have an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) that meets the needs of the adult trauma patient. 2. The surgical director or co-director must be the TMD, or general surgeon taking trauma call. The director is responsible for the quality of care and administration of the ICU and will set policy and establish standards of care to meet the unique needs of the trauma patient. 3. The surgeon assumes and maintains responsibility for the care of the serious or multiple injured patients. A surgically directed ICU physician team is essential. The team will provide in-house physician coverage for all ICU trauma patients at all times. This service can be staffed by appropriately trained physicians from different specialties but must be led by a qualified surgeon as determined by critical care credentials consistent with the medical staff privileging process of the institution. The trauma surgeon must maintain control over all the aspects of care, including but not limited to respiratory care, management of mechanical ventilation, and placement and use of pulmonary catheters, as well as the management of fluids, electrolytes and antimicrobials, and enteral and parenteral nutrition. 4. There must be in-house physician coverage for the ICU at all times. A physician credentialed by the facility must be available to the trauma patient in the ICU 24 hours/day. This coverage is for emergencies only and is not intended to replace the primary surgeon but rather is intended to ensure that the patient's immediate needs are met while the surgeon is contacted. 5. Level I Trauma Centers must provide staffing in sufficient numbers to meet the critical needs of the trauma patient. Critical care nurses must be available 24 hours per day. ICU nurses are integral part of the trauma team and as such, shall be represented on the multidisciplinary trauma committee and participate in the PI process of the trauma program at least 50% of the time. 6. The list of required equipment necessary for the ICU can be found online at the Department’s website.