Critical Care
Critical Care - Related Videos
10:38
Observational Study Protocol for Repeated Clinical Examination and Critical Care Ultrasonography Within the Simple Intensive Care Studies
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Cited by 20 •
2019
Structured protocols are necessary to provide answers on research questions in critically ill patients. The Simple Intensive Care Studies (SICS) provides an infrastructure for repeated measurements in critically ill patients including clinical examination, biochemical analysis and ultrasonography. SICS projects have specific focus but the structure is flexible to other investigations.
14:28
Non-Invasive Monitoring of Microvascular Oxygenation and Reactive Hyperemia using Hybrid, Near-Infrared Diffuse Optical Spectroscopy for Critical Care
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Cited by 6 •
2024
We describe a protocol to non-invasively and continuously measure absolute microvascular blood flow index and blood oxygen saturation using a multi-modal device based on near-infrared diffuse optics. We then evaluate the metabolic rate of oxygen consumption and reactive hyperemia utilizing a vascular occlusion test.
09:44
Manual Muscle Testing: A Method of Measuring Extremity Muscle Strength Applied to Critically Ill Patients
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Cited by 135 •
2011
Survivors of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and critical illness frequently develop long-lasting muscle weakness. Manual muscle testing (MMT) is a standardized clinical examination commonly used to measure strength of peripheral skeletal muscle groups. This video demonstrates MMT using the 6-point Medical Research Council scale.
06:28
Endotoxin Activity Assay for the Detection of Whole Blood Endotoxemia in Critically Ill Patients
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Cited by 3 •
2019
We hereby present a protocol to measure at the bedside the endotoxin activity of human whole blood samples. The Endotoxin Activity assay is a simple test to perform and may be a useful biomarker in critically ill patients with sepsis.
01:16
Critical Region, Critical Values and Significance Level
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2023
The critical region, critical value, and significance level are interdependent concepts crucial in hypothesis testing. In hypothesis testing, a sample statistic is converted to a test statistic using z, t, or chi-square distribution. A critical region is an area under the curve in probability distributions demarcated by the critical value. When the test statistic falls in this region, it suggests that the null hypothesis must be rejected. As this region contains all those values of the test...
FAQs
Continuous monitoring does more than record vital signs. Clinicians follow changes in vital signs and laboratory measures to identify physiological instability, assess whether organ support is needed, and judge responses to treatment. This repeated feedback allows therapy to be adjusted as a patient's condition evolves, rather than relying on a single examination or isolated measurement.
Treating physiological failure alone may stabilize measurements without correcting the process driving deterioration. In critical care, targeted therapies are paired with management of the underlying cause, such as severe infection, respiratory failure, cardiovascular collapse, or a postoperative complication. This combined approach connects immediate stabilization with the possibility of recovery.
Complex patients may require simultaneous attention to breathing, circulation, fluids, laboratory changes, and the illness causing instability. A coordinated multidisciplinary approach brings these clinical priorities together, helping teams select and reassess organ support while limiting complications associated with prolonged intensive treatment. Coordination therefore supports both immediate stabilization and more informed recovery planning.
Initial work begins with evaluation of life-threatening illness, injury, or organ dysfunction, followed by close observation using vital signs and laboratory measures. Clinicians then identify instability, apply targeted support such as ventilation, hemodynamic support, or fluid management, and treat the underlying cause. Ongoing reassessment guides continuation or adjustment of support.
The choice of support follows the physiological problem identified through monitoring. Mechanical ventilation addresses severe respiratory compromise, while hemodynamic support and fluid management target circulatory instability or related fluid needs. Because patients can change rapidly, clinicians use ongoing vital-sign and laboratory information to reassess effectiveness and modify treatment while also addressing the underlying illness.
Critical care is used in severe infection, respiratory failure, cardiovascular collapse, and postoperative complications. In each setting, continuous observation helps detect instability and organize therapies around the affected physiology and its cause. The field is also relevant when organ dysfunction follows injury, because intensive support and repeated reassessment can guide stabilization and subsequent recovery.