Ten things you need to know to practice neurological critical care

Excerpt

Care of the critically ill neurologic patient, more commonly referred to as neurocritical care, has matured through new knowledge [1], policy and administration [2‐4], advances in imaging and monitoring techniques, and above all the introduction of neurointensivists and neuroscience intensive care units [5, 6]. Different models of care exist but, whether provided in a specialist unit or within a general intensive care unit (ICU), the principles and standards of neurocritical care are identical. All three of us work in neurocritical care units and provide care for the most challenging patients on the edge of further deterioration. Our expertise is based on each of us having over 1,000 patient contacts annually for the past 1–2 decades. Here we share what we believe is important—and what worries us. …