Departments

Critical Care Medicine

Leading the Way in Intensive Care Medicine

The Department of Critical Care Medicine at Samsung Medical Center is a national leader in the treatment of critically ill patients. Board-certified intensivists with diverse subspecialties provide expert care in medical, surgical, cardiac, pediatric, and neurologic ICUs.

We offer advanced support for shock, sepsis, ARDS, acute brain injury, and perioperative care through collaborative, evidence-based practice. With specialized mechanical circulatory support and rehabilitation-focused management, we aim to enhance survival and improve quality of life.

Multispecialty-Led 24/7 ICU Care

Samsung Medical Center's intensive care units-including both the medical and surgical ICUs-are staffed 24/7 by board-certified intensivists with expertise in pulmonology, cardiology, general surgery, cardiac surgery, neurology, and emergency medicine. This diversity allows for a comprehensive and nuanced approach to complex cases from multiple clinical perspectives.

In addition to continuous bedside care, our intensivists lead daily multidisciplinary meetings with clinical pharmacists, nutritionists, respiratory and rehabilitation nurse specialists, and critical care nurse practitioners. These structured discussions promote patient-centered, goal-directed care through active collaboration and shared expertise.

Unlike conventional ICU models, our approach ensures that each patient receives not only state-of-the-art life support but also integrated, personalized care across every aspect of their condition. This depth of collaboration and subspecialty integration is a hallmark of our d

Specialized Expertise

Shock Team

The shock team operates based on ECMO management and is structured around the application and coordination of various mechanical circulatory support (MCS) modalities. A multidisciplinary team ensures safe and effective treatment with excellent outcomes.

ICU Rehabilitation Team

The ICU rehabilitation team is dedicated to preventing post-intensive care syndrome and promoting recovery from the earliest stages of critical illness. Through early mobilization, cognitive support, and physical therapy, we help patients return to daily life after discharge. We operate in close collaboration between critical care physicians and rehabilitation medicine specialists.

Vibrant Networks for the Advancement of Critical Care

With Korea's most standardized critical care training program, we have produced a generation of skilled intensivists and built a robust national professional network. At the same time, we actively engage in international collaborations to raise the quality of critical care. Partnering with the government, we are also involved in policy development aimed at improving ICU systems, while leading diverse and academically meaningful clinical research initiatives.