Critical care medicine is also referred to as intensive care medicine which is the branch of medicine that refers to the diagnosis and management of life threatening conditions that involve mechanical breathing and organ support for patients who cannot breathe on their own.

Patients who are suffering from life threatening conditions who have collapsing organs and are unable to breathe on their own are placed on life support machines. This is a common form of ICU treatment and is generally only an option if there is good chance that the patient’s condition is potentially reversible.

The below 9 key intensive care systems are implemented on a daily observation – intervention basis:

• Cardiovascular system
• Central nervous system
• Endocrine system
• Gastro-intestinal tract
• Hematology
• Microbiology
• Renal and metabolic system
• Respiratory system
• Peripheries

Patients that are placed in intensive or critical care are usually held on a separate floor or wing of a hospital as they require constant monitoring, cleaning, nutrition and resources.

Dr Vather treats and monitors patients who are in critical care at Life Hilton Hospital, Lenmed Howick Hospital, Midlands Specialist Hospital and Eden Gardens Private Hospital.