Critical Care

When there is a life-threatening illness or injury, physicians and families often turn to critical care services at Allegheny Health Network (AHN). We're among only a few programs in western Pennsylvania with doctors, nurses, and facilities dedicated to helping people achieve the best possible recovery.

Critical care services at AHN: How you benefit

Our critical care services provide a lifeline to our sickest patients. We deliver a broad range of services 24 hours a day in dedicated facilities called intensive care units (ICUs).

Whether patients are recovering from a heart attack or brain surgery, we provide the treatments and ongoing monitoring that keeps their care moving forward.

Other highlights of our program include:

• Highly skilled physicians: Many of our critical care doctors completed additional training through fellowships. This level of training allows us to deliver precise care for a broad range of conditions. Our physicians are also training future critical care specialists through a fellowship program at AHN. This level of training leads to more effective care and fewer complications for our patients.
• Visitor-friendly facilities: We want you to feel comfortable while visiting your loved one, which is why we have renovated some of our ICU patient rooms. ICU accommodations include couches, private bathrooms, and extra space to move around.
• Convenient locations: Our services are available in ICUs at AHN hospitals throughout western Pennsylvania. These locations make it possible for your loved one to receive lifesaving care close to home.

Services available in our ICUs

Services we deliver in our ICUs often include:

• Organ support: Sophisticated machines take over the work of organs that are no longer working or need rest. For example, you may need a ventilator for assistance breathing or continuous dialysis to filter blood for the kidneys.
• Monitoring: We continuously monitor patients to track their response to treatments. We also catch the earliest signs of complications and quickly adjust care plans to avoid setbacks.
• Fluids and medications: Patients often receive fluids that provide nutrition and prevent dehydration. We also deliver medications, such as antibiotics or blood thinners, to prevent blood clots.

Intensive care units at Allegheny Health Network

Our ICUs deliver specialized care that helps patients heal from a broad range of life-threatening illnesses and injuries.

Specialized ICU services at AHN include:

Cardiovascular ICU

We provide ongoing monitoring for patients who have experienced a heart attack or are recovering from heart surgery. We deliver effective care that helps many patients resume full, active lives.

Medical-surgical ICU

This unit treats people with serious medical conditions, such as blood infections. We also care for people after major surgical procedures, such as kidney transplants. Critical care doctors are on-site 24 hours a day. They provide timely care to keep your loved one’s recovery moving forward.

Neonatal ICU (NICU)

Physicians from all over western Pennsylvania regularly refer sick and premature babies to our NICUs. They choose us because we offer a level of care that’s not widely available.

Our team includes neonatologists (newborn doctors), neonatal nurses, and other specialists who provide round-the-clock care. Our services help babies with conditions, such as heart defects and digestive problems, get better so they can return to their families sooner.

Neurosurgical ICU

We care for patients recovering from brain and spinal cord surgery. AHN is the only program in western Pennsylvania with fellowship-trained neurocritical care doctors. Their specialized care helps your loved one achieve the best possible results.

Visiting hours

Visit AHN Visitation Hours and Policies for the latest updates.