For example, a surgeon planning a major operation on a patient with a history of heart attacks would often consult the Critical Care Service for a preoperative assessment. Depending on the patient's symptoms and anticipated surgical stress, the CCS would provide their evaluation and services to minimize any complications arising from these issues.

During the days preceding surgery, the CCS optimizes the patient's medical conditions and then allows the surgeon to proceed with a safely planned and well thought out surgical plan. The CCS and the anesthesiologist who provides surgical anesthesia care discuss the patients medical conditions and intraoperative and postoperative plan. Finally, the CCS cares for the patient immediately after surgery, often in an Intensive Care Unit, until their medical conditions remain stable.

Surgical procedures receiving this entire continuum of care include neurosurgical, major vascular, complex intra-abdominal, major gynecologic, orthopedic, and adult open-heart operations. This continuum of care provided by the CCS accelerates surgical patients' recovery and serves as a communication link between surgical and medical physicians