Why intensive care

We undertook a scoping review of the peer-reviewed and gray literature to assemble existing models for ICU stratification. Based on these and on discussions among task force members by teleconference and 2 face-to-face meetings, we present a proposed definition and classification of ICUs.

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Your email: is required Error: This is required Error: Not a valid value. Send to: is required Error: This is required Error: Not a valid value. The intensive care unit ICU is a special ward found in some hospitals. What is an ICU? It differs from other hospital wards in that: ICU provides hour care from a highly-trained team of specialists there are fewer beds, with lots of equipment to monitor and care for critically ill patients fewer visitors are allowed Why are people admitted to the ICU?

This can happen: after major surgery following an accident e. What preparation should be made for admission to the ICU? What precautions should I take when visiting someone in the ICU? What happens after discharge from the ICU?

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How long can a patient expect to stay in an ICU? Intensive Care Rooms. Virtual ICU A virtual tour of where the patient will stay. Glossary Definitions of the more commonly-used terms in the ICU. You'll usually be free to touch, comfort and talk to the person. It may help them to hear and recognise familiar voices, even if they do not appear to respond. You can bring in things to make them more comfortable, but ask staff beforehand if there's anything you should not bring.

Once a person no longer needs intensive care, they can be transferred to a different ward to continue their recovery before eventually going home. Some people may leave the ICU after a few days. Others may need to stay in the ICU for months or may deteriorate there. These problems can last several months. Get medical advice if they're a persistent issue for you or a loved one. If your loved one has been admitted to an ICU and is awake and able to communicate, they'll be fully involved in decisions about their care.

But if they're unconscious or sedated, they may not be able to give their consent permission for a particular treatment or procedure. If they knew they were going into intensive care, they may have nominated someone to make decisions about treatment on their behalf a designated decision maker or made an advance decision about any treatments they do not want to have. If this was not possible in an emergency situation, the ICU staff treating them will usually decide what they feel is in their best interests.