Table 1.

Levels of critical care

Level	Definition
0	Patients whose needs can be met through normal ward care in an acute hospital.
1	Patients at risk of clinical deterioration, or those recently relocated from higher levels of care, whose needs can be met on an acute ward with additional specialist advice and support from the critical care team.
2	Patients requiring more detailed observation or intervention including support for a single failing organ system, those receiving postoperative care or those ‘stepping down’ from level 3 care.
3	Patients requiring advanced (ventilatory) respiratory support alone or basic respiratory support together with support of two or more organ systems. This level includes all complex patients requiring support for multiorgan failure.