Critical Care (Intensive Care)

Seriously ill or injured patients need advanced care and an atmosphere of healing. At Mayo Clinic Health System, we are committed to providing both. Our Critical Care services include both Intensive Care Units (ICUs) and Critical Care Units (CCUs), depending on the location.

Our critical care physicians, called intensivists, provide cardiac, surgical, neurosurgical, trauma, and other specialized medical services. Working alongside our nursing staff, they deliver high-level, compassionate care 24 hours a day.

Our Enhanced Critical Care Program allows Mayo Clinic intensivists to monitor patients from Rochester, Minnesota, when needed. Patients have access to Mayo Clinic intensive care from a Mayo Clinic Health System hospital close to home.

Find out more about our critical care services:

• Conditions and consultations
• Services
• Critical care specialists
• Referrals
• FAQ
• Critical care locations near you
• Critical care providers near you

Conditions and consultations

Our critical care team treats patients with a wide range of critical medical needs, including:

• Cardiac
• General surgical
• Infectious
• Intermediate level
• Medical respiratory
• Neurological
• Neurosurgical
• Post-anesthesia
• Psychiatric and psychological
• Trauma-related

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Services

Our critical care team is trained to administer medical care in life-threatening situations.

Services they provide include:

• Breathing therapy, using ventilators
• Catheterization
• Dialysis
• IV treatment
• Monitoring of vital signs
• Oxygen therapy
• Nutritional support
• Tracheostomy care

Select critical care locations offer specialty services, such as:

• Continuous renal replacement therapy
• Hypothermia treatment for post-cardiac arrest patients
• Post-pulmonary vein isolation for ablation

For patients who need it, we offer Enhanced Critical Care, an electronic ICU designed to improve care and shorten hospital stays. Critically ill patients are monitored:

• Locally by bedside physicians and nurses
• Remotely by critical care specialists at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota

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Critical care specialists

Our physicians and staff are trained in intensive care medicine. They deliver comprehensive, specialized care to diverse patient populations with critical medical needs. They are easily accessible in emergencies and when questions arise.

Intensivists are familiar with hospital processes and procedures. They can conveniently order tests, consult other specialists and adjust treatments.

Our critical care providers include:

• Physicians
• Advanced practice providers
• Registered nurses

Additional care may be provided by:

• Hospitalists
• Internal medicine providers
• Pulmonology providers
• Sleep medicine specialists

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Referrals

Our Critical Care and Intensive Care units do not require a traditional referral. Patients are admitted based on medical need and provider assessment.

If you are a healthcare provider and believe a patient requires CCU- or ICU-level care, please contact the hospital to discuss admission criteria and coordinate transfer.

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FAQ

What are the visitor guidelines for the CCU or ICU?

Being close to your loved one while they are hospitalized is important. Your care team will do everything possible to keep you informed and help with your needs.

Guidelines for our CCUs and ICUs include:

• Children under age 13 are not permitted.
• No flowers or latex balloons are allowed in patient rooms, due to infection control policies and allergy concerns. Mylar helium balloons are acceptable.
• No cellphone use is allowed in patient rooms or halls, but you are welcome to use your cellphone in the waiting area.
• Please respect visiting hours and quiet time, which may vary by location.
• Smoking is prohibited on Mayo Clinic Health System property.
• Visitors may not use the restrooms in patient rooms, but a visitor restroom is located near the waiting area.

We ask that you do not visit if you are ill. There may also be times when visiting is restricted while procedures and tests are completed.

How can I connect with my loved one's care team?

Establishing a connection with your loved one's care team is invaluable and can provide peace of mind for family and friends. When your loved one is admitted to the hospital, we ask each family to identify a primary support person. This primary contact will:

• Receive information and updates about your loved one's condition
• Be responsible for communicating these updates to family and friends
• Act as your loved one's advocate

Each day, the nurse and provider team discuss details about each patient's status and care plan with the patient and their loved ones. The process is called "rounding." Rounding is an excellent time to connect with the care team and ask questions.

We ask that no more than two family members attend rounds. Ask your critical care nurses what time rounding happens each day. They can also provide you with instructions for speaking with the critical care team if you miss rounds.

We ask that no more than two family members attend rounds. Ask your critical care nurses what time rounding happens each day. They can also provide you with instructions for speaking with the critical care team if you miss rounds.

Are there designated CCU or ICU waiting rooms?

Patient rooms can accommodate a limited number of family members who wish to be an active and involved part of the care process.

There is a waiting area near each CCU and ICU for additional loved ones. You may also stay there while your loved one undergoes procedures and tests. Depending on the location, waiting rooms may contain:

• Computer
• Family eating area
• Kitchenette
• Telephone with direct access to nursing stations
• Television

Family members of all critical care patients use the waiting room. Please respect the space and privacy of others.

Select Mayo Clinic Health System hospitals offer a healing garden or a designated space for prayer, meditation and contemplation. Ask your care team what is available at your location.

How does Enhanced Critical Care work?

For patients who need Enhanced Critical Care, in-room computers, high-quality video cameras and audio monitors transmit patient data to intensivists and nurses at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. They have access to vital signs, test results and imaging exams.

The Mayo Clinic team continuously reviews the information to detect potential problems. If a concerning change is detected, the team alerts local critical care staff so they can address the situation. Advanced video technology allows constant communication between the Mayo Clinic critical care team and local staff, patients and family.

Enhanced Critical Care is provided at no additional cost to patients. It provides several benefits, such as:

• Early detection and treatment of medical complications
• Improved patient results
• Reduced cost of care
• Shorter hospital stays

What are my payment options, and do you offer financial assistance?

Our Patient Account Services team is here to help you navigate billing and insurance. Your insurance provider can review coverage details for care in a Critical Care or Intensive Care unit.

We serve patients in difficult financial circumstances. We offer financial help to people with an established need and who require medically necessary services.

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Explore locations or providers near you for details on critical care (intensive care):

Not all treatments, tests and services are available at all Mayo Clinic Health System locations. Check with your preferred location in advance.