Constant close monitoring and treatment of seriously ill patients that enables treatment to be tailored to the patient’s condition on an hour-by-hour basis. Intensive care units (ICUs), sometimes known as intensive treatment units (ITUs), contain electronic equipment to monitor vital functions such as blood pressure and heart-rate and rhythm. Frequently, patients in these units require mechanical ventilation, in which a machine takes over or assists with breathing. Urine output, fluid balance, and blood chemistry are recorded regularly. Fluids are given intravenously. If nutrients are required, they are supplied to the stomach through a tube. There is a high ratio of specially trained nursing and medical staff to patients. (See also coronary care unit.)
Intensive care |
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