Critical Care Guidelines

See evidence-based guidance for caring for critically ill patients during pandemics, as well as methods for liberating patients from mechanical ventilation.

Guideline in Focus

A bag of platelets hangs for a transfusion

Transfusion of Fresh Frozen Plasma and Platelets in Critically Ill Adults

MARCH 2025

This guideline provides recommendations for the transfusion of fresh frozen plasma or platelets in critically ill patients with thrombocytopenia, with and without active bleeding, who are undergoing invasive procedures.

More critical care guidelines

CRITICAL CARE

Red Blood Cell Transfusion in the ICU | September 2024

This guideline provides evidence-based recommendations for RBC transfusion among critically ill patients overall and specific subgroups, including patients with gastrointestinal bleeding, acute coronary syndrome, cardiac surgery, isolated troponin elevation, and septic shock.

MECHANICAL VENTILATION

Liberation From Mechanical Ventilation in Critically Ill Adults | January 2017

CONSENSUS STATEMENT

Care of the Critically Ill and Injured During Pandemics and Disasters | October 2014

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Guideline endorsements and collaborations

CHEST works with other medical societies and outside organizations to develop and distribute guidelines that align with our topic areas.

INVITE US TO ENDORSE A GUIDELINE | All invitations for collaboration with CHEST should be sent to guidelines@chestnet.org. LEARN MORE »

Surviving Sepsis Campaign: International Guidelines for Management of Sepsis and Septic Shock 2021
Society of Critical Care Medicine | November 2021

Surviving Sepsis Campaign International Guidelines for the Management of Septic Shock and Sepsis-Associated Organ Dysfunction in Children
Society of Critical Care Medicine | February 2020

Guidelines for Family-Centered Care in the Neonatal, Pediatric, and Adult ICU
Society of Critical Care Medicine | January 2017

Management of the Potential Organ Donor in the ICU
Society of Critical Care Medicine | June 2015

Developing new critical care guidelines

CHEST develops trustworthy, evidence-based clinical practice guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of chest disease states with the help of CHEST members, volunteers, leaders, and staff. Help create high-quality, relevant critical care guidelines.

GUIDELINE SUBMISSIONS

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Join the Critical Care Network

This Network enhances the scientific knowledge, evidence-based medicine, and clinical practices that further our understanding of critical illness.

CHEST Critical Care

CHEST^® Critical Care advances the care of patients served by multidisciplinary clinicians across critical care medicine. Read the latest articles, and submit your own research.