How to Care for a Critically Ill Surgical Patient

People who are critically ill are facing life-threatening illnesses and conditions. As a professional caregiver, you must meet their basic needs and monitor their health. It can be a thankless job, however, because many critically ill surgical patients are under emotional distress and may not be cooperative. Follow these steps to learn how to care for a critically ill surgical patient.

Things You'll Need

• Appropriate medical equipment Adjustable hospital bed

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Instructions

• 1

  Monitor medical equipment such as feeding tubes, ventilators, intravenous (IV) equipment and catheters. The hospital medical staff will teach you what to do with each piece of equipment. Information is also available online such as through the Cincinnati Children's Hospital. According to the National Institutes of Health, while equipment sustains life it can also cause infection.

• 2

  Keep the patient comfortable by moving him regularly. Avoid bed sores by gently moving him from one side to the other. He should not rest for too long in one position.

• 3

  Adjust the patient's position so he can visit, eat and watch TV. He should be in a hospital-style bed, with the ability to move up and down electronically. Lift the head portion of the bed to a sitting position when the patient is not napping.

• 4

  Discuss the recovery plan with the patient, his doctor and the family. While the patient may get better, death is a possibility and end-of-life plans may need to be made.

• 5

  Keep a log of the patient's condition. This information will be useful to the patient's doctor and other caregivers.

• 6

  Work the patient's leg muscles on a regular basis to avoid atrophy. The doctor or physical therapist should be able to show you some basic movements and exercises.

• 7

  Accept criticism and harsh words. Coping with a critical illness can cause the patient to become belligerent or nasty. Realize that it's not personal and do your best to care for them despite the attitude.

• 8

  Entertain the patient. If he or she is coherent, you can provide easy-to-access pastimes like DVDs, music, books and magazines.

• 9

  Urge them to get enough rest. If there are a lot of people visiting, limit visiting hours to ensure the patient doesn't get overtired. Speak with family members about the importance of this.