Patients requiring intensive care unit (ICU)-level care are the sickest patients in the hospital. ICU Management 793 I They often require life-saving medications, monitoring, and technologies such as ventilators, intracranial pressure monitors, continuous hemodialysis, continuous electrocardiogram monitoring, and frequent radiographic imaging such as CAT scans and MRIs. Medical management of critically ill and traumatically injured patients in an ICU is some of the most scientifically complex, intellectually challenging, and resourcedependent care provided within the hospital. Specialized members of many different healthcare fields are needed to manage each patient's unique combination of life-supporting therapies. Preexisting Conditions Traumatically injured patients who enter the ICU are a specialized group of patients with major life-or limb-threatening injuries or burns caused by either preventable traumatic events or natural disasters. Some common causes of traumatic injuries include falls, industrial accidents, motor vehicle crashes, crashes involving bicyclists and pedestrians, gun and knife violence, and fires. These lead to injuries such as penetrating wounds, abdominal injury, burns, near drownings, brain and/or spinal cord injuries, and fractures. ICU Management, Table 1 Traditional ICU tasks 24/7 Patient care management Daily multidisciplinary attending rounds Obtaining history and performing physical examinations Diagnosing and treating illnesses Ordering and interpreting tests Performing invasive procedures (central line insertion, arterial line insertion, intubations, etc.) Assessing and implementing nutrition Collaborating and consulting with the interdisciplinary team, patient, and family Leading, monitoring, and reinforcing practice guidelines for intensive care unit patients (i.e., central line insertion procedures, infection prevention measures, stress ulcer prophylaxis, etc.) Data collection Tracking quality assurance Performing specialty area consultations Participating in family conferences Consulting on transfers and referrals Educating patients and families regarding anticipated plan of care