Surgical critical care manages complex surgical and medical problems in critically-ill surgical patients. Specialists in surgical critical care possess advanced knowledge and skills that enable them to provide comprehensive care to critically ill patients from all surgical specialties and in all age groups. Care for the critically ill surgical patient may take place in a variety of settings, e.g. pre-hospital situations, the emergency department, the operating room, and intensive care units. Because the care of such patients involves skill in many disciplines, as well as an understanding of surgery, the specialist in surgical critical care must have a broad knowledge base and expertise concerning the biology of the critically ill surgical patient and the support of organ system function.