title: Critical care organization.
abstract: The organizational structure of critical care services likely affects the quality of patient care, and ultimately, patient outcomes. Based on the available data, the ideal intensive care unit would be a closed-unit staffed by dedicated intensivists. Whether or not around-the-clock intensivist staffing is necessary, however, is debatable. Because financial realities preclude all units from being ideal, alternative strategies for organization must be explored.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, North Shore University Hospital, 300 Community Drive, 4 Levitt Manhasset, NY 11030, USA. schang2@nshs.edu
authors.forename: Steven Y
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Alan S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Multz
authors.forename: Jesse B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Hall
mesh_terms: D003422:Critical Care / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000639:trends; D017052:Hospital Mortality; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000639:trends; D011787:Quality of Health Care / Q000639:trends*; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000639:trends*; D000078329:Workforce