May Is National Critical Care Awareness And Recognition Month

Every year critical care practitioners and the Society of Critical Care Medicine encourage healthcare professionals across the country to observe May as National Critical Awareness and Recognition Month.

NCCARM serves as a way to bring to light the importance of this life-saving practice and the demanding issues facing critical care services, namely a substantial shortage of nursing professionals and a lack of critical care training.

More than five million Americans are admitted to the roughly 7,000 ICUs in the nation on an annual basis. The problem lies in that there are only 7,000 practicing intensivists in the U.S., which equates to 1 critical care specialist per ICU.

It is estimated that as many as 54,000 lives could be saved every year were more training available and round-the-clock coverage were provided.

HCA recognizes the importance of its critical care teams and is doing its part this year to pay homage to the healthcare professionals in critical care departments of all HCA facilities in its observance of NCCARM by wearing blue on Friday, May 18.

Won’t you please take a few moments of your time to recognize the efforts of our dedicated critical care professionals? You can show your appreciation for the critical care teams in your institution by decorating your ICU blue that Friday. From blue attire, blue treats for staff, blue balloons or blue decor, we hope you find some way to express NCCARM.

You are also encouraged to take photos of your blue ICU and team and post them to our Facebook wall.

Let’s applaud and celebrate the work of every member of our critical care teams this May 18 by wearing blue.