Orientation
Clinical Responsibilities — Daily ICU Review
Daily clinical review checklist for ICU residents: medications, radiologic studies, microbiology cultures, and care coordination with primary teams.
On this page
On this page
Each day you should review the following care categories. Connect with the primary team to ensure they are aware of — and acting on — new results.
Medications
Review all medications in the Active Medications list.Section
Medications
Review all medications in the Active Medications list.Review all medications in the Active Medications list.
- Pay special attention to sedation and analgesics. Are there any drugs that can be discontinued?
- ICU has a primary role in management of sedation and analgesia since it is intimately related to ventilator synchrony.
- Discuss your plan to change medications with the ICU attending.
- Goal: use as little as needed to accomplish adequate pain control.
- Are there other medications that can be discontinued?
- For any meds that are not analgesia or sedation, confer with the primary service prior to discontinuing.
Polypharmacy is one of the key areas for potential harm in hospitalized patients. Strive for adequate, not excessive pharmacotherapy.
Radiologic Studies
As surgeons, you should constantly increase your diagnostic acumen by examining radiologic images yourself.Section
Radiologic Studies
As surgeons, you should constantly increase your diagnostic acumen by examining radiologic images yourself.As surgeons, you should constantly increase your diagnostic acumen by examining radiologic images yourself.
- Workflow:*
- Personally review films first
- Then read the radiologist's interpretation
- If something does not seem to fit, discuss with a senior resident or attending
Microbiology Cultures
The SICU milieu is one where infections can flourish if not actively kept in check. Fevers and leukocytosis should be investigated...Section
Microbiology Cultures
The SICU milieu is one where infections can flourish if not actively kept in check. Fevers and leukocytosis should be investigated...The SICU milieu is one where infections can flourish if not actively kept in check. Fevers and leukocytosis should be investigated and responded to in a timely fashion.
- Daily review of cultures is the responsibility of both the ICU team and the primary service
- Use of empiric antibiotic therapy should be limited and should only proceed after discussion with the attending of record
- Adapted from SurgCritCare. org for structured display and mobile use. Verify against current institutional policies and attending guidance.*