The Central Role of Specialized Neurocritical Care Teams: Standards of Neurologic Critical Care Units

Intensive care units evolved over the past century to become an integral part of the hospital system. Intensivists provide care for the most critically ill patients, often with multiorgan dysfunction. These patients typically require advanced medical technologies and benefit from the specialized care provided in such a skilled unit. Neurocritical care units are a subspeciality of intensive care that focuses on the complex treatment of neurological illnesses, including traumatic brain injury. Multidisciplinary teams caring for these patients have advanced training with a neurologic focus, with care designed to prevent secondary brain injury.