Critical Care

Outstanding Critical Care Services in Central Massachusetts and Beyond

In our intensive care units (ICUs), UMass Memorial Health provides around-the-clock treatments and monitoring to our region’s most medically fragile patients. Board-certified doctors specializing in intensive care (intensivists) use research-based methods and sophisticated technologies to help you heal. ICU nurses watch over you at all hours of the day and night.

Conditions We Monitor and Treat in the ICU

This service is for people recovering from the most severe illnesses and injuries. It’s also for people who have just had major surgery.

Conditions we help people recover from in our ICU include:  

• Burns
• Heart attack
• Organ failure
• Sepsis
• Severe infections
• Stroke
• Traumatic brain injury
• Other traumatic injuries

Our Critical Care Services

UMass Memorial has ICUs focused on the critical care needs of different conditions and age groups, including:

• Cardiac ICU (CICU) helps patients with heart failure and individuals recovering from heart attacks and severe heart rhythm disorders.
• Medical ICU is for patients with cancer and individuals who have lung, kidney, liver and gastrointestinal problems and blood infections.
• Neonatal ICU (NICU) cares for newborns who have or are at risk for severe issues, such as breathing, neurologic or digestive concerns.
• Neurotrauma ICU provides specialized services that promote recovery from traumatic brain injuries.
• Pediatric ICU (PICU) is for infants, children and adolescents who experience severe illness or injuries.
• Surgical ICU provides intensive monitoring to patients who need or are recovering from major surgery.

UMass Memorial uses an innovative ICU telemedicine (eICU) service supporting minute-by-minute monitoring even when we’re not at your bedside. This added layer of oversight alerts us to subtle changes the moment they occur, so you receive immediate attention. Programs like our eICU have been demonstrated to speed recovery and lower the risk of complications.

What to Expect During an Intensive Care Unit Stay

Our ICUs provide around-the-clock services to meet the unique needs of critically ill patients. Services include: 

• Bedside treatments, such as respiratory therapy and physical therapy
• Drain tubes to help blood and other fluids exit the body
• Frequent checkups from intensivists and critical care nurses
• Intravenous lines through which we deliver fluids and medications
• Monitoring equipment that continuously assesses breathing, heart rate, brain activity and more
• Ventilator assistance, if needed, to help you breathe

Being in the ICU is worrisome and can bring unexpected challenges. We are here for you and your family with heartfelt support. Services are available from social workers and chaplains who address the spiritual needs of people of all faiths.