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Critical Care Medicine

Critical Care Medicine is a journal focused on the field of intensive and critical care, featuring content such as clinical investigations, review articles, concise definitive reviews, research reports, editorials, letters to the editor, and other features. The journal publishes 12 issues per year and lists Jonathan E. Sevransky, MD, MHS, FCCM as Editor-in-Chief. It reports an Impact Factor of 6.0 and is ranked 6/62 in the Critical Care Medicine category.

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Subject Critical Care Medicine, Critical Care Medicine
Impact Factor 6
Quartile Q1
Open Access Type Hybrid
ISSN 0090-3493
eISSN 1530-0293
Invitation Only No
Cost Range Optional APC for open access (hybrid model); pricing varies—see Wolters Kluwer Hybrid Open Access Journals page.

Submission Instructions

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

Clinical Investigation

Cover Letter A cover letter is required and should note any prior journal reviews (with responses provided as supporting files), disclose any preprint posting with a link, and list any related, simultaneous, or planned publications from the study.
Title Page Include the manuscript title; all author names, degrees, affiliations; corresponding author email; funding/support; and detailed conflicts of interest for each author, plus five MeSH keywords. Upload as part of the main Word file and enter details in the submission system.
Abstract Provide a structured abstract of no more than 300 words with the headings: Objective; Design; Setting; Patients; Interventions; Measurements and Main Results; Conclusions.
Key Points Include a Key Points section (generally ≤100 words) addressing three prompts: Question (one sentence), Findings (one–two sentences with primary outcome and statistical significance), and Meaning (one sentence).
Main Manuscript Headings Organize the text in IMRaD format: Introduction, Materials and Methods, Results, Discussion, and Conclusions. Follow journal guidance on units, reporting, and statistical presentation.
Reference Format Use numerical citations in the text with parenthetical Arabic numerals in order of appearance; format the reference list per ICMJE style with journal titles abbreviated per MeSH and inclusive page ranges.
Figures Upload each figure as a separate TIF or EPS file at ≥300 dpi (line art ≥1200 dpi); do not embed in the manuscript. Place figure legends at the end of the manuscript after the references.
Tables Upload each table as a separate Microsoft Word file with a concise title and column headings; avoid spreadsheets and excessive text; extensive tables should be moved to SDC.
Additional Documents Provide applicable reporting checklists (e.g., CONSORT for RCTs, STROBE for observational) as the first item in the SDC, IRB/ethics approvals and trial registration details in Methods, data sharing/accession numbers as applicable, permissions letters for reused content, and a required 280‑character summary.
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Systematic Review/ Meta-Analysis

Cover Letter A cover letter is required and should disclose any preprint posting, list related publications, and may note prior reviews with responses as supporting files.
Title Page Include title; author names, degrees, affiliations; corresponding author email; funding; and conflict of interest statements for each author, with five MeSH keywords. Upload within the main Word file and complete submission metadata.
Abstract Provide a structured abstract (≤300 words) with Objective; Data Sources; Study Selection; Data Extraction; Data Synthesis; Conclusions.
Key Points Include a ≤100‑word Key Points section addressing Question, Findings (primary outcomes only), and Meaning.
Main Manuscript Headings Organize sections appropriate for a systematic review/meta‑analysis (e.g., Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, Conclusions) with transparent methods and synthesis.
Reference Format Use numerical, parenthetical in‑text citations ordered by first appearance; format references per ICMJE with MeSH‑style journal abbreviations.
Figures Upload figures (e.g., PRISMA flow diagrams, forest plots) as separate TIF/EPS files (≥300 dpi; line art ≥1200 dpi); place legends at the end of the manuscript.
Tables Upload each table (e.g., study characteristics, risk of bias) as a separate Microsoft Word file; larger tables should be placed in SDC.
Additional Documents Include the PRISMA checklist (as first item in SDC), any protocols/registrations, data/code availability statements, permissions for reused figures/tables, and the required 280‑character summary.
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Research Report

Cover Letter A cover letter is required and should summarize the significance, disclose any preprint posting, and include prior reviews and responses if relevant.
Title Page Provide title; author names, degrees, affiliations; corresponding author email; funding; conflicts of interest for each author; and five MeSH keywords. Include within the main Word file and submission system.
Abstract Include a structured abstract up to 300 words using one of the journal’s accepted structured formats.
Key Points Provide a Key Points section (generally ≤100 words) addressing Question, Findings, and Meaning.
Main Manuscript Headings Use a concise structure appropriate to a brief report, typically IMRaD with clear, focused presentation of methods and primary results.
Reference Format Numerical, parenthetical in‑text citations in order of appearance with ICMJE‑style references and MeSH journal abbreviations.
Figures Upload any figure as a separate TIF/EPS file (≥300 dpi; line art ≥1200 dpi); place legends at the end of the manuscript.
Tables Upload each table as a separate Microsoft Word file with a concise title and column headings; larger tables should go to SDC.
Additional Documents Provide applicable reporting checklists (e.g., CONSORT/STROBE as appropriate) in SDC, ethics approvals and registrations where applicable, permissions for reused content, and a 280‑character summary.
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Laboratory Investigation

Cover Letter A cover letter is required and should disclose any preprint posting (with link) and related/overlapping manuscripts; include prior peer reviews and responses if applicable to expedite assessment.
Title Page Provide title; author names, degrees, affiliations; corresponding author email; funding/support; and conflicts of interest for each author, plus five MeSH keywords. Include within the main Word file and system metadata.
Abstract Provide a structured abstract up to 300 words with the headings: Objective; Design; Setting; Subjects; Interventions; Measurements and Main Results; Conclusions.
Key Points Include a Key Points section (≤100 words) addressing Question, Findings, and Meaning as specified by the journal.
Main Manuscript Headings Use IMRaD sections—Introduction, Materials and Methods, Results, Discussion, Conclusions—with comprehensive methodological detail and appropriate statistical reporting.
Reference Format Number references in order of citation using parenthetical numerals; format entries per ICMJE with MeSH‑abbreviated journal titles and inclusive page ranges.
Figures Submit each figure as a separate high‑resolution TIF or EPS file (≥300 dpi; line art ≥1200 dpi). Figure legends belong at the end of the manuscript after the references.
Tables Submit each table as a separate Microsoft Word file with a brief, descriptive title and column headings; extensive tables should be provided as SDC.
Additional Documents Include ARRIVE checklist for animal studies in SDC, ethics/IACUC approvals in Methods, data accession numbers where applicable, permissions for reused material, and the required 280‑character summary.
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Letter to the Editor

Cover Letter A cover letter is required and should identify the target article being discussed and briefly state the purpose of the letter; disclose any preprint posting if relevant.
Title Page Provide title; author names, degrees, affiliations; corresponding author email; and conflicts of interest for each author.
Abstract Abstracts are not required for letters.
Key Points Key Points are not required for letters.
Main Manuscript Headings No prescribed headings; present a concise, focused argument referencing the original article.
Reference Format Cite references numerically in order; include the original article among the references; format per ICMJE with MeSH journal abbreviations.
Figures Only if presenting new data, upload a single figure as a separate TIF/EPS file; include legend at the end of the manuscript.
Tables Only if presenting new data, upload a single table as a separate Microsoft Word file with a concise title and headings.
Additional Documents Include any necessary permissions for reused material and disclose conflicts on the title page.
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Editorial

Cover Letter A cover letter is required and should identify the editorial context or invited nature; disclose any preprint posting or related works.
Title Page Provide title; author names, degrees, affiliations; corresponding author email; and conflicts of interest for each author.
Abstract Abstracts are not required for editorials.
Key Points Key Points are not required for editorials.
Main Manuscript Headings No specific structure required; organize commentary clearly with logical subheadings if needed.
Reference Format Use numerical, parenthetical in‑text citations in order of appearance; format references per ICMJE with MeSH journal abbreviations.
Figures If included, upload figures as separate TIF/EPS files (≥300 dpi; line art ≥1200 dpi) with legends placed at the end of the manuscript.
Tables If included, upload each table as a separate Microsoft Word file with a concise title and column headings.
Additional Documents Provide permissions for any reused content and the required 280‑character summary; include conflict disclosures and funding on the title page.
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Invited Viewpoint

Cover Letter A cover letter is required; identify the submission as an invited viewpoint and disclose any preprint posting or related works.
Title Page Include title; author names, degrees, affiliations; corresponding author email; funding (if any); and conflicts of interest for each author, plus five MeSH keywords.
Abstract Abstracts are not required for this article type.
Key Points Key Points are not required for viewpoints.
Main Manuscript Headings No specific structure is mandated; organize the argument clearly with appropriate subheadings as needed.
Reference Format Cite references numerically in order of appearance using parenthetical numerals; format entries per ICMJE with MeSH journal abbreviations.
Figures If included, upload figures as separate TIF/EPS files (≥300 dpi; line art ≥1200 dpi); include legends at the end of the manuscript.
Tables If included, upload each table as a separate Microsoft Word file with a concise title and column headings.
Additional Documents Include permissions for any reused content and a 280‑character summary; disclose conflicts and funding on the title page.
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Recent Publications

“Catch My Drift?”

Timothy G. Buchman

10.1097/ccm.0000000000007099
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Exposure to Antipsychotic Medication Is Associated With Less Days Alive and Free From Catatonia in Critically Ill Patients

Gloria Nashed Mina, Trey McGonigle, Jinyuan Liu, Nathan E. Brummel, Mayur B. Patel, Joshua R. Smith, Pratik P. Pandharipande, Robert S. Dittus, E. Wesley Ely, Jo Ellen Wilson

10.1097/ccm.0000000000007077
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Days Alive and at Home After Critical Illness Hospitalization Among Older Adults and Its Association With Delivery of In-Hospital Rehabilitation

Stephanie Kim, Terrence E. Murphy, John R. O’Leary, Linda Leo-Summers, Jason R. Falvey, Thomas M. Gill, Harlan M. Krumholz, Lauren E. Ferrante, Snigdha Jain

10.1097/ccm.0000000000007094
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To Feed, or Not to Feed? A Shakespearean Dilemma No More!

Nicole Siparsky

10.1097/ccm.0000000000007097
View Publication

Interleukin-6-Associated Pyroptosis, Apoptosis, and Necroptosis via JAKs/STAT3-RIPK1 Axis: A Potential Mechanism for CD4+ T-Cell Depletion in Bacterial Sepsis

Zhaofeng Kang, Chaoyao Hou, Siyuan Qi, Zhanfei Li, Xiangjun Bai, Xijie Dong

10.1097/ccm.0000000000007088
View Publication

Frequently asked questions

Is Critical Care Medicine open access?

Critical Care Medicine 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 Critical Care Medicine?

The 2024 Journal Impact Factor (JIF) for Critical Care Medicine is 6. 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 Critical Care Medicine?

Initial editorial reviews are usually completed within four weeks of manuscript submission. The editor-in-chief typically responds to presubmission consultation emails within 48 hours. Subsequent review cycles and timelines for revised manuscripts are variable.

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Does Critical Care Medicine require a cover letter?

Yes. A cover letter is required for all submissions and must be uploaded as a separate document. The letter should disclose any preprint posting (with link), list prior, simultaneous, and planned related publications from the study, and—if applicable—note that the work was previously reviewed elsewhere and include prior reviews with a point‑by‑point response as supporting files. For prediction model papers that are not clearly superior to existing models, the letter should justify the manuscript’s contribution.

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

This is a hybrid journal. Authors may choose optional open access, in which case an Article Processing Charge (APC) is billed upon acceptance; pricing is listed on the Wolters Kluwer Hybrid Open Access Journals page. Open access articles are published under a Creative Commons license (default CC BY‑NC‑ND; CC BY available for approved funders). Authors affiliated with institutions that have Wolters Kluwer read‑and‑publish agreements may have APCs covered, resulting in a $0 APC at the point of order. If authors do not select open access, no APC is charged. Payment must be completed for the article to be published open access.

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Research Topics

Respiratory Support and Mechanisms Sepsis Diagnosis and Treatment Cardiac Arrest and Resuscitation Intensive Care Unit Cognitive Disorders Cardiac, Anesthesia and Surgical Outcomes