Care of the critically ill patient

In this article we aim to describe some of the key principles of this relatively new speciality. Intensive care medicine has become an essential and integral part of hospital medicine which uses a system-based approach to the care of a patient, underpinned by detailed understanding of physiology and pharmacology. Modern critical care embraces multi disciplinary team work in all aspects of patient care from admission through to discharge (including end-of-life care and organ donation).