We have a dedicated team of specialist doctors, nurses, allied health professionals and support staff, available 24 hours a day.
- We are a dedicated team of intensive care professionals, available 24 hours a day
- Patients are cared for by intensive care specialists who work with medical condition specialists, called the treating team
- Patients are admitted to ICU until they are well enough to be transferred to another hospital ward
About our care
We have a dedicated team of specialist doctors, nurses, allied health professionals and support staff, available 24 hours a day.
Everyone who works in ICU receives specialist training to ensure they have the required skills and knowledge to treat the sickest patients at the RMH.
Find out more about our team.
Patient treatment team
In addition to our ICU team, every patient is also cared for by a team who specialises in their medical condition. This service is called the parent unit. For example, if a patient comes in for:
- heart bypass operation, the parent unit is Cardiothoracic Surgery
- severe urinary tract infection, the parent unit may be General Medicine or Urology
- respiratory support as a result of COVID, the parent unit may be Respiratory Medicine
The parent unit teams visit ICU and discuss patient care with the ICU treating teams. While in ICU, the intensive care team assume primary responsibility for the patient’s care. When patients are discharged to a ward, the parent unit teams then become responsible for the patient's ongoing care. Patients on the ward may also receive support from the ICU outreach team of nurses and doctors.
The ICU team reviews patients twice daily, in the morning and afternoon to discuss patient treatment plans. These are called ward rounds. The parent (the specialised department – that is, Neurosurgery, Cardiology) units review patients at least once a day while they are in ICU. In addition, patients are seen separately by members of the team at many other points during the day and night for assessment or treatment. For this reason, a patient’s time in ICU can seem very busy for families and loved ones.
Shared decision making
The patient’s next of kin (NOK) or nominated representative are welcome to attend the afternoon ward round to ask questions to get a greater understanding of what is happening to their loved one. We also encourage shared decision making where possible. Patients and families are encouraged to participate and ask questions about the care provided.
Talk to the bedside nurse or Clinical Nurse Consultant (CNC) if you have questions.
Family members can sometimes use our Telehealth service to join the treating team on ward rounds. This approach makes it easier for family to ask questions without having to be in the hospital - you can connect using your phone, tablet or computer.
Speak to a Clinical Nurse Consultant (CNC) in ICU to find out more about whether Telehealth will be suitable for your family.
Telehealth
Start your Telehealth video call at your appointment time by joining this waiting room.