|
Clergy
|
Most hospital
staffs have clergy who serve in a non-denominational
capacity to minister to the spiritual needs of patients and
families. If you wish to speak with a member of the
hospital's clergy, please ask a nurse or doctor to call.
Don't hesitate to contact your own clergy for support in
this difficult time.
|
|
Dietitian
|
Nutrition is extremely important in critical illness and
injury. Dietitians work with the
ICU team to ensure that the patient is getting adequate
nutrition while in the ICU and other parts of the hospital.
They are also valuable sources of information about special
diets after the patient leaves the ICU such as diabetic
diet, kidney failure diets and others.
|
|
ICU
Technician |
Many hospitals
have trained technicians to help with many important tasks
in the
ICU such as bathing, turning, feeding and transporting
critically ill patients.
|
|
Laboratory Technician |
In many ICUs
laboratory technicians specially trained in obtaining
blood specimens help in obtaining blood for laboratory
tests.
|
|
Occupational Therapist |
Occupational
therapists help patients adjust to daily activities of
living following a critical illness or injury. They also
help in placement of splints for the arms and legs in
severely ill and injured patients. This helps prevent
contractions of muscles and tendons during the critical
illness/injury.
|
|
Physical Therapist |
Physical
therapists are frequently seen in the ICU helping with range
of motion exercises, stretching exercises, gait (walking)
training and other important rehabilitation activities.
|
|
Radiology Technician (X-ray
Technician) |
Technicians
specially trained in taking X-ray pictures are often found
in the ICU with their X-ray equipment. They only take X-rays
ordered by the doctors.
|
|
Respiratory Care Professional
|
Respiratory
care professionals have special training and experience in
caring for patients with breathing problems. They set up and
maintain breathing machines (mechanical ventilators), as
well as help the doctors and nurses adjust these machines
minute by minute and hour by hour to best meet the patient's
needs. They also give breathing treatments, suction
secretions from the breathing tubes and setup and maintain
oxygen delivery devices and many other pieces of breathing
equipment.
|
|
Social
Worker |
Social workers
have special training and experience in managing socials
issues surrounding the patient's hospitalization. They are
usually able to help you find answers to questions about
insurance coverage and help to coordinate transfer from the
ICU when the patient's condition has improved.
|
|
Speech
Therapist |
Speech
therapists help patients with speaking difficulties. They
also may help in evaluating a patient's ability to swallow
following a critical illness or injury.
|
|
Unit
Secretary |
ICU secretaries
help with communication and coordination of most activities
in the ICU. They are usually wonderful resources regarding
the ICU and the hospital in general.
|
|
For more information about Respiratory Care Professional see
the following site(s):
|
|
www.aarc.org |
American Association for Respiratory
Care provides abstracts of articles from industry journals.
|
