Terminology

While your loved one is in the Critical Care Center, you will hear the physicians and nurses using various medical terminology.  The following is some of the terminology you may hear.  This will help you understand what your loved one may be going through.

CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION (CPR):  CPR involves life saving procedures performed to restart the heart (cardiovascular) and the lungs (pulmonary) functions in an individual who has stopped breathing (respiratory arrest) and/or whose heart has stopped beating (cardiac arrest).

The procedure involves chest compressions (pushing down on the chest to pump blood out of the heart into the body) and artificial breathing (using a breathing tube to force oxygen into the lungs).  Defibrillation (powerful electric shock through the heart) or pacemaker (electric current that stimulates the heart to beat) may be used if needed to restore the heart rhythm to normal.  Medications are given through an IV. The outcome of CPR depends, in part, upon the state of the patient and the reason for the event.

The patient is unconscious when CPR is performed.  It does not hurt while it is being done.  When awake, your loved one may complain of some aching in their chest caused by the chest compressions.

Unless a patient or the family informs the critical care staff or physician that they do not want CPR, it will be performed on every patient in the hospital if their heart and/or lungs stop working.

DO-NOT-RESUSCITATE ORDER (DNR):  If the patient and family do not want CPR, the physician will write an order not to perform CPR if the patient's heart or lungs stop working.  This is called a do-not-resuscitate order.  This order instructs the medical staff not to attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if the heart stops beating or if breathing stops.  IMPORTANT:  These individuals receive any and all other appropriate treatments.

COMFORT CARE/HOSPICE CARE:  This care focuses on treating the symptoms of a disease and the emotional as well as the religious needs of the individual.  The goal is to attain the best quality of life available by relieving suffering, controlling pain, and achieving the greatest independence for the patient.  Pain linked with a terminal illness can always be treated.

ARTIFICIAL NUTRITION AND HYDRATION (TUBE FEEDING):  Fluids and nutrients are given to an individual through a feeding tube.  This feeding tube could be inserted into the stomach by means of the nose (NG) or through the wall of the abdomen (PEG or gastronomy tube).

INTRAVENOUS FEEDINGS:  These feedings are used for individuals who are not able to tolerate tube feedings. Like tube feedings, nutrients and fluids are given through a tube in a vein.

MECHANICAL VENTILATION:  This machine is used to support or replace the function of the lungs.  A ventilator pushes air into the lungs. This machine is attached to a "breathing tube" which may be inserted via the mouth/nose down into the trachea (windpipe).  It can also be attached to a "trach" which is surgically placed into the trachea.

DIALYSIS:  This process does the work of the kidneys by removing waste products from the blood.  Blood circulates from the patient through the dialysis machine where it is filtered. It is then returned to the patient.  To have dialysis, a special central venous catheter is needed.  Dialysis can be performed in our Critical Care Center.