Critical Care Team

Critical Care menu

Our interprofessional care team works together to provide high-quality, specialized care to critically ill patients.

Intensive Care Unit (ICU) physicians

Physicians on the ICU team are called intensivists and specialize in intensive care medicine. Their expertise is in managing the complex medical issues related to acutely ill patients in the hospital.

Our physicians work with other specialists, such as cardiologists (heart specialists), nephrologists (kidney specialists) and hematologists (specialists in blood diseases) to ensure the best possible care.

The ICU director is a physician responsible for the overall medical care of patients.

Coronary Care Unit (CCU) physicians

Cardiologists with specialized training in serious heart conditions work with other specialists to provide expert care in our CCU.

Physician assistant

Our physician assistant works with the physicians and nurses in the CCU to ensure continuity of patient care. They can answer patient questions, order some tests, help with the flow of patient and care and assist with discharge.

Registered nurses

Nurses in the ICU and CCU are specially trained to closely monitor patients and provide daily care.

Some nurses also have specific responsibilities within the unit.

The Team Leader (TL) is responsible for the day-to-day running of the unit
The Patient Care Manager (PCM) is responsible for administrative duties
The Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) supports clinical practice

Respiratory therapists

Some critically ill patients need a ventilator, which is a machine that helps them breathe. Respiratory therapists are trained to make sure patients receive the appropriate amount of oxygen therapy and support from their ventilator. Learn more about our respiratory therapists.

Pharmacists

Pharmacists who specialize in critical care assist the care team in selecting the best medications for patients. Learn more about our pharmacy team.

Dietitians

Dietitians assist the care team in developing nutritional plans for patients. They also work with nurses to ensure patients with complex needs, such as those with feeding tubes, get the right nutrition. Learn more about our nutrition team.

Physiotherapists

Physiotherapists work with the care team to help patients maintain their lung function and physical mobility while in critical care.

For example, a physiotherapist may help a patient with breathing and coughing techniques that help clear the chest and airway. A physiotherapist may also help a patient with exercises that prevent or lessen problems that can happen when you are in a hospital bed for a long time. Learn more about our physiotherapy team.

Social workers

Having a loved one in critical care can be very stressful. A social worker can provide support and help you cope during this time. Social workers help connect patients with community resources and support patient and family well-being. Learn more about our social work team.

A social worker is available Monday to Friday to help you. Please ask any member of the care team if you’d like to speak to a social worker.

Spiritual care providers

Spiritual care providers offer patients and families spiritual and religious comfort and support. Learn more about our spiritual care team.

Please ask any member of the care team if you’d like to speak to a spiritual care provider.

Research coordinators

Research coordinators conduct research in patient care areas. You may be asked for consent to have your family member enrolled in a research study designed to discover ways to improve care.

There is no obligation to participate in research and patient care will not be affected by your decision.

Unit clerks

Unit clerks work with nurses to provide administrative support. They answer phones, file information in the patient's chart and organize supplies.

Service assistants

Service assistants help nurses transport patients, test samples and supplies to and from other areas of the hospital. They also clean patient rooms and shared areas in critical care units.

Learners

Mount Sinai Hospital is a teaching hospital affiliated with the University of Toronto. You may see medical students, residents or other medical trainees as part of your care. Learners are supervised by other members of the health-care team.