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Australian Critical Care

Australian Critical Care is the official journal of the Australian College of Critical Care Nurses (ACCCN). It is a bi-monthly, peer-reviewed journal that publishes clinically relevant research, research-based reviews, discussion papers, and commentaries of interest to an international readership of critical care practitioners, educators, administrators, and researchers. The journal welcomes interprofessional articles and aims to advance knowledge and practice across the critical care community.

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Subject Critical Care Medicine, Critical Care Medicine, Nursing
Impact Factor 2.7
Quartile Q2
Open Access Type Hybrid
ISSN 1036-7314
eISSN 1878-1721
Invitation Only No
Cost Range Optional open access APC: USD 1700 (USD 1360 for ACCCN members); print colour charges: US$312 first page + US$208 per additional page.

Submission Instructions

Australian Critical Care accepts the following article types. Click on an article type to view submission instructions.

Research Paper

Cover Letter A cover letter is required summarizing the study, its significance beyond existing literature, any related publications from the same study, and permissions for any reproduced material.
Title Page Do not upload a separate title page; place the title, author names with relevant qualifications, affiliations, and corresponding author contact information before the main text.
Abstract Provide a structured abstract under the following headings where applicable: Introduction, Objectives, Methods, Results/Findings, Conclusions. Keep it under 350 words and avoid references and abbreviations.
Main Manuscript Headings Use the standard structure: Introduction; Objectives; Methods (design, setting, sample, data collection, analysis, ethical considerations); Results/Findings; Discussion (including limitations); Conclusions.
Reference Format Use Vancouver/NLM style with superscript consecutive numbering in text and an NLM-formatted numbered reference list; use Index Medicus abbreviations.
Figures Figures should be uploaded as separate high-quality files with captions provided separately. Colour is free online; print colour incurs charges. Limit the combined number of tables and figures to five.
Tables Upload tables as separate editable files (not images), clearly labeled and numbered; include footnotes expanding abbreviations. Keep within the combined limit of five tables/figures.
Additional Documents Upload the completed reporting guideline checklist; Ethical approval/waiver letter; Author Agreement Statement; Declaration of Interests; permissions for reproduced material; data availability statement in the manuscript.
Word Count Aim for 2,000–3,500 words; qualitative or mixed-methods papers may be up to 5,000 words when justified.
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Editorial

Cover Letter A cover letter is required and should briefly outline the topic and why it is timely and important for the journal’s audience. If the editorial was invited or proposed in advance, note this context.
Title Page A separate title page is not required; include full title, author names with relevant qualifications, affiliations, and corresponding author contact details at the start of the manuscript.
Abstract Follow journal policy; abstracts are not specifically prescribed for editorials. If included, keep it concise and under 350 words.
Main Manuscript Headings No fixed structure is prescribed. Use clear headings appropriate to the argument; include an introduction to the issue and a concluding perspective.
Reference Format Use Vancouver/NLM style with superscript numbering and an NLM-formatted numbered list at the end.
Figures Figures, if any, should be uploaded as separate files with captions supplied separately. Colour is free online; print colour incurs charges.
Tables Tables, if any, should be uploaded as separate editable files and clearly labeled; keep overall tables/figures within the journal’s limits.
Additional Documents Include Author Agreement Statement, Declaration of Interests, and (if applicable) permissions for any reproduced material.
Word Count Target 1,000–1,500 words.
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Clinical Trial

Cover Letter Provide a cover letter outlining the trial’s significance, registration details, and any related publications from the same study.
Title Page A separate title page is not required; include full title, author names/qualifications, affiliations, and corresponding author details at the beginning of the manuscript.
Abstract Provide a structured abstract (<350 words) consistent with CONSORT, typically including Background/Introduction, Objectives, Methods (design, setting, participants, interventions), Results, and Conclusions.
Main Manuscript Headings Follow an IMRaD-style structure with clear Methods subsections (design, setting, participants, interventions, outcomes, randomization, blinding, analysis, ethical considerations) and include the trial registration number.
Reference Format Vancouver/NLM style with superscript in-text numbering and an NLM-formatted numbered list.
Figures Upload the CONSORT flow diagram and any figures as separate files with captions supplied separately. Colour online is free; print colour charges apply.
Tables Upload tables as separate editable files; number sequentially and ensure they align with CONSORT reporting. Keep within the combined limit of five tables/figures unless supplementary.
Additional Documents CONSORT checklist and flow diagram; trial registration details; Ethical approval letter/waiver; Author Agreement Statement; Declaration of Interests; reporting checklist upload.
Word Count Target 2,000–3,500 words.
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Brief Research Report

Cover Letter Include a cover letter summarizing the preliminary nature of the study, its key findings, and justification for brief report format.
Title Page No separate title page is needed; include title, author details with qualifications, affiliations, and corresponding author information before the main text.
Abstract Provide a concise structured abstract under standard research headings (Introduction, Objectives, Methods, Results/Findings, Conclusions) within 350 words.
Main Manuscript Headings Follow a condensed IMRaD structure with Methods subsections (design, setting, sample, data collection, analysis, ethical considerations).
Reference Format Use Vancouver/NLM style with superscript numbering and an NLM-formatted numbered list.
Figures Upload figures as separate files with captions; keep the combined total of tables and figures within five.
Tables Upload tables as separate editable files and number them sequentially; stay within the combined limit of five tables/figures.
Additional Documents Upload the relevant reporting guideline checklist, Ethical approval/waiver letter, Author Agreement Statement, and Declaration of Interests.
Word Count Limit the main text to 1,500–2,000 words.
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Review

Cover Letter Provide a cover letter stating the review question, its relevance to critical care, and details of any prior registration (e.g., PROSPERO ID).
Title Page Do not upload a separate title page; include title, author names/qualifications, affiliations, and corresponding author contact information in the manuscript header.
Abstract Provide a structured abstract under headings such as Objectives, Review method used, Data sources, Review methods, Results, Conclusions, within 350 words.
Main Manuscript Headings Organize logically (e.g., Introduction/Background; Methods—protocol/registration, eligibility, information sources, search, selection, data extraction, quality appraisal; Results; Discussion; Conclusions). Use the current PRISMA framework as applicable.
Reference Format Vancouver/NLM style with superscript in-text numbering and an NLM-formatted numbered list; Index Medicus abbreviations for journals.
Figures Upload PRISMA flow diagram and any figures as separate files with captions provided separately; colour online is free (print colour charges apply).
Tables Upload tables (e.g., study characteristics, risk of bias) as separate editable files; keep within overall figure/table limits or provide as supplementary material if extensive.
Additional Documents Upload completed PRISMA (or other relevant) checklist; include protocol/registration details; Ethical approval typically not required for literature reviews but disclose funding and conflicts.
Word Count Target 3,000–5,000 words.
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Case Report

Cover Letter Submit a cover letter explaining the case’s novelty, clinical relevance, and confirmation that appropriate patient/proxy consent has been obtained.
Title Page No separate title page is required; include title, author names/qualifications, affiliations, and corresponding author contact details at the beginning.
Abstract Follow journal abstract guidance; provide a concise summary of the case and key learning points within 350 words (unstructured unless otherwise justified).
Main Manuscript Headings Use headings appropriate for case reports (e.g., Introduction, Case Presentation, Investigations/Interventions, Outcome and Follow-up, Discussion, Conclusions) and include ethical/consent statements.
Reference Format Vancouver/NLM style with superscript numbering in text and an NLM-formatted numbered reference list.
Figures Upload figures/images as separate files with clear captions and anonymization as needed; colour online is free (print colour charges apply).
Tables Upload any tables as separate editable files and number them sequentially.
Additional Documents Attest to patient/proxy consent (retain forms); upload Ethical approval/waiver if required by your institution; include Author Agreement Statement and Declaration of Interests.
Word Count Maximum 2,500 words.
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Letter to the Editor

Cover Letter A brief cover letter is recommended to indicate the target article and summarize your main point or critique.
Title Page Include author name(s), affiliation(s), and corresponding author contact details within the letter file; a separate title page is not required.
Abstract Abstracts are not specified for letters; provide a concise letter body without an abstract unless requested.
Main Manuscript Headings No specific headings required; present a clear, concise argument referencing the target article.
Reference Format Use Vancouver/NLM style with superscript numbering and an NLM-formatted numbered list, citing the target article.
Figures Figures are rarely needed; if included, upload separately with captions and remain within overall limits.
Tables Tables are uncommon; if used, upload as separate editable files.
Additional Documents Include standard author documents (Author Agreement Statement and Declaration of Interests).
Word Count Limit to 300–400 words.
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Recent Publications

Authors’ response to the letter “Prepared but stressed: Reconciling the paradox of caring for healthcare professional-patients”

Lynne Hunt, Melissa Riegel, Robyn Gallagher, Thomas Buckley

10.1016/j.aucc.2025.101520
View Publication

Management of medical device alarms in intensive care units: A scoping review

Vivienne Leigh, Carol Grech, Allison Roderick, Michelle A. Kelly, Lemuel Pelentsov

10.1016/j.aucc.2025.101511
View Publication

The effects of family-involved sensory stimulation interventions on delirium outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Yuanyuan Jiang, Ruile Shen, Yahan Song, Jie Li

10.1016/j.aucc.2025.101513
View Publication

The development of family resilience in intensive care unit settings: A grounded theory study integrating perspectives of healthcare professionals and families

Shunxia Sun, Caiping Song, Li Guan, Jin Yang, Jun Lan

10.1016/j.aucc.2025.101517
View Publication

Acceptability of a behaviour change intervention to improve care of clinically deteriorating patients on acute hospital wards: A theory-based mixed-methods study

Duncan Smith, Stephen McIntyre, Mandeep Sekhon

10.1016/j.aucc.2025.101512
View Publication

Frequently asked questions

Is Australian Critical Care open access?

Australian Critical Care is a hybrid journal, offering both traditional subscription-based publishing and open access options. Authors can choose to make their articles open access by paying an Article Processing Charge (APC).

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What is the impact factor of Australian Critical Care?

The 2024 Journal Impact Factor (JIF) for Australian Critical Care is 2.7. The impact factor is a measure of the frequency with which the average article in a journal has been cited in a particular year, and is often used as a proxy for the relative importance of a journal within its field.

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What is the time to publication for Australian Critical Care?

Does Australian Critical Care require a cover letter?

Yes. A cover letter must accompany all submissions and should provide a brief overview of the manuscript, explain how the work extends what is already known on the topic, disclose any related publications from the same study (published, in press, or under review), and indicate that permissions have been obtained for any reproduced material.

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How much does it cost to publish in Australian Critical Care?

This hybrid journal offers optional open access. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for open access is USD 1700 (excluding taxes), with a 20% discount for members of the Australian College of Critical Care Nurses (USD 1360). Colour figures are free online; printing colour in the print edition incurs US$312 for the first page and US$208 for each additional colour page. No other routine author fees are specified.

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Research Topics

Family and Patient Care in Intensive Care Units Intensive Care Unit Cognitive Disorders Respiratory Support and Mechanisms Sepsis Diagnosis and Treatment Palliative Care and End-of-Life Issues