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Critical care medicine · Mar 2006
ReviewTeam model: advocating for the optimal method of care delivery in the intensive care unit.
- Charles G Durbin.
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
- Crit. Care Med. 2006 Mar 1;34(3 Suppl):S12-7.
ObjectiveTo review published data on the team model of intensive care unit (ICU) care delivery.DesignNonexhaustive, selective literature search.SettingReview of literature published in the English language.Patients/SubjectsHumans cared for in ICUs.InterventionsNone.ResultsThe team model for delivery of ICU care reduces mortality, ICU length of stay, hospital length of stay, and cost of care. Convincing data suggest that merely having daily rounds led by an intensivist enhances patient care significantly. Further improvements can be obtained by maintaining a nurse-to-patient ratio of no greater than 1:2, adding critical care pharmacists, and providing dedicated respiratory therapists to the ICU team.ConclusionCurrent and looming shortages of all ICU healthcare providers is a barrier to universal implementation of the team model. Advocating for the ICU team model for critical care delivery requires local, regional, national, and international activities for success.
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