Intensive care units
Intensive Care Unit (pronunciation: /ɪnˈtɛnsɪv kɛər ˈjuːnɪt/), often abbreviated as ICU, is a specialized department in a hospital that provides intensive treatment medicine.
Etymology
The term "Intensive Care Unit" comes from the intensive medical care and monitoring provided in these specialized units. The term was first used in the early 1960s, with the opening of the first dedicated ICUs in the United States.
Overview
Intensive Care Units are designed to take care of patients with severe and life-threatening illnesses and injuries, which require constant, close monitoring and support from specialist equipment and medications in order to ensure normal bodily functions. They are staffed by highly trained doctors and nurses who specialize in caring for critically ill patients. ICUs are also distinguished from normal hospital wards by a higher staff-to-patient ratio and access to advanced medical resources and equipment that is not routinely available elsewhere.
Types of Intensive Care Units
There are several types of ICUs, including the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), Cardiac Care Unit (CCU), and Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU), among others. Each type of ICU caters to a specific category of patients and has specialized equipment and staff trained to handle the specific needs of those patients.
Related Terms
- Critical Care: A type of care for patients with life-threatening conditions that require comprehensive observation and treatment.
- Ventilator: A machine designed to move breathable air into and out of the lungs, to provide breathing for a patient who is physically unable to breathe, or breathing insufficiently.
- Triage: The process of determining the priority of patients' treatments based on the severity of their condition.
See Also
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