The Surgical Critical Care Complex (SCCC) team developed this guide to assist families in understanding what to expect while their loved one is a patient. The Surgical Critical Care Complex is for patients who require frequent nursing care, close monitoring and the use of advanced technological equipment. It can be an extremely stressful and overwhelming experience while a loved one is in the Intensive Care Unit. We hope this booklet will help in answering some important questions and serve as a helpful tool during your visit. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask one of our team of nurses, physicians, therapists, clergy, social workers and dietitians.

Surgical Critical Care Complex team

There are many different people assisting in caring for your loved one. These people include: nurses, physicians, residents, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, patient care technicians, dietitians, chaplains, social workers, speech therapists, occupational therapists, and physical therapists.

Rounds are done each morning on all patients and this is a time for the physicians, nurses, respiratory therapist, dietitian and pharmacist to discuss the best plan of care for the patient.

What to expect

When entering the SCCC, it may be overwhelming to see the variety of equipment, tubes and wires that are in the patient's room. We use specialized equipment that monitors breathing, heart rate, blood pressure and oxygenation, a form of treatment with oxygen. It allows us to detect problems or changes quickly. These monitors are located in each room and at the nurse's station.

We also use other equipment that assists us in providing the best care for your loved one. A ventilator may be used if a patient needs help with breathing and this will prevent them from talking. You may notice a small piece of equipment with a red light on either ear or finger. This is a device that detects oxygenation. You may also see a pair of white socks/boots on each leg. These are called pneumatic compression boots and they are used to help promote circulation in the legs while the patient is in bed. These boots also help to decrease the risk of blood clots in the legs.

It is possible that you may hear some alarms and beeps coming from the equipment while you are in the room. Our staff is monitoring these alarms at all times. If you have any questions about the equipment or the alarms, please do not hesitate to ask.