Intensive care services in Charleston, SC

No one ever expects to end up in the intensive care unit (ICU). However, if you or a loved one is critically ill or injured, you can feel confident knowing they are in capable, experienced hands in the ICUs at Trident Health. Our patients receive around-the-clock monitoring and family-centered care.

If you have any intensive care questions, you can reach a nurse 24/7 by calling (843) 797-3463.

About our ICUs

Trident Medical Center and Summerville Medical Center's ICUs manage about 5,800 critical care patients a year.

Our ICU services include:

The professionals in all of our ICUs provide individualized treatment for every patient. Our doctors and nurses are trained to provide care at a moment's notice to ensure our patients experience the best possible outcomes.

In the ICU, we use specialized equipment, including advanced heart monitors, ventilators for breathing assistance, feeding tubes and catheters. Additionally, patients may receive medications to manage their pain or hemodialysis treatment to filter water and other waste products from their blood.

Involving families in the care of the critical care patient, holding multidisciplinary family conferences, open visitation policies and open communication is an essential part of caring for our patients.

High-quality neonatal care

Summerville Medical Center is home to a Level II Special Care Nursery. This means that our neonatal doctors are highly trained to care for premature and critically ill infants.

Parents planning their labor and delivery at Trident Health can feel confident in the care available for their infant immediately after birth.

Pediatric intensive care unit (PICU)

Summerville Medical Center is also home to a dedicated PICU. The PICU staff cares for children who are critically ill or injured and in need of intensive, 24-hour monitoring. Your child has access to a full range of pediatric specialists so they can receive the unique care they need to heal.

Multidisciplinary critical care team

The team of healthcare professionals in our ICUs provide care in a range of specialties. Our team includes:

  • Chaplains
  • Dietitians
  • Doctors
  • Nurse practitioners
  • Nurses
  • Pharmacists
  • Physical therapists
  • Physician assistants
  • Respiratory therapists
  • Social workers

Family assistance

When a patient is admitted to the ICU, we ask that either the patient or a trusted family member identify one representative. This representative become the patient's support person to receive medical information and updates on the patient's condition.

Each support person will be issued a personal identification number (PIN) to ensure patient privacy and protect their information. When calling for information about the patient's condition, we will ask for the PIN to ensure the caller is approved to receive the information.

We ask that the support person communicates updates to family and friends. At times, they may be asked to make decisions and act on behalf of a patient.

ICU rules and visitor information

We ask that all visitors coming to the ICU follow certain sanitation protocols, including hand washing or using hand sanitizer before entering a patient room. We also ask that visitors with cold or flu symptoms wear a mask. It is important to take these precautions to protect our patients from additional illnesses or infections.

Our ICU has specific patient assessment times. During these times, we ask all visitors to exit the room except the patient's support person. Other visitors are able to go to the waiting area. Patient assessment times occur daily from 6:30am to 8:00am and 6:30pm to 8:00pm.

To conduct patient assessments, our team will visit and assess a patient's current condition, perform a safety check, create the necessary plan of care and verify all doctors and medications for the shift. This time is important so that every member of the care team is informed about the patient's care.

Please note that live plants, cut flowers, fruit baskets and outside food are not permitted. Personal items are allowed but we suggest limiting the number of items brought into the unit. Cards and non-latex balloons are welcomed and encouraged for our ICU patients.