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PNEUMONIA Pneumonia (pronounced "new mo nea") is an inflammatory response in the lung that is characterized by secretions and fluid collections in an area of the lung that can be seen on xray (called an infiltrate). It is most frequently due to infection in the lung. If a patient vomits and the...

CARDIAC ENZYMES; TROPONIN; CK - MB Enzymes are proteins that tell the cells of the body how to perform certain functions. The enzymes that make heart muscle cells work properly are called Cardiac Enzymes (cardiac is the medical term for heart). They can be measured by simple blood test. When the...

DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS (DVT); Venothromboembolic Event (VTE): PULMONARY EMBOLISM TED STOCKINGS; SEQUENTIAL COMPRESSION DEVICES; HEPARIN Deep vein thrombosis (often called DVT ) is a common and potentially life-threatening complication that can affect any immobilized patient. "Thrombosis" means blood...

DIALYSIS Health individuals have two kidneys. About 180 L of blood will flow through the vessels of the kidney each day. Blood will flow into the microscopic vessels of the kidney (called the glomerulus), where water and waste products are filtered out as urine. Urea and creatinine are two of the...

VASOPRESSORS INOTROPES BLOOD PRESSURE SUPPORT The most frequent reasons for admission to a critical care unit are to receive support for a low blood pressure or breathing difficulties. Patients may need help to correct a low blood pressure. Low blood pressure is called "hypotension" ("hypo" means...

MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION (also called "heart attack" or "MI") If the heart muscle is deprived of oxygen for a prolonged period of time, an area of the heart muscle can die. Dead muscle is called an area of "infarction". When an area of the heart muscle dies, it is called "Myocardial Infarction" or an...

INFUSION PUMP SYRINGE PUMP RAPID INFUSOR Many of the drugs used during critical illness are very potent. Change in the rate of administration by only a few ml per hour can have very large effects. Patients often have several different medication infusions running at the same time. Consequently...

TRACHEOSTOMY A tracheostomy is a hole in the neck that is created just below the Adam's Apple. It punctures the trachea (or windpipe) and is created in order to insert a Tracheostomy Tube. A tracheostomy tube can be used to deliver mechanical breaths. It is also used to reduce the chance that a...

Critically Ill patients often have a number of different problems that require the support of a team of medical doctors. CCTC Consultants Attending Physicians Other Medical Specialists Medical Residents

FALL RISK Preventing Patient Falls – For Patient in CCTC The London Health Sciences Centre is committed to improving your health, and providing compassionate and high quality care. This includes promoting patient safety through fall prevention. People fall for a variety of reasons. These may include...