Intensive Care Unit - An Overview

Introduction

A hospital is a healthcare facility where ill patients are treated. Sometimes, severely ill patients are admitted to a hospital ward. There are various hospital wards, such as general, causality, and special wards. In general, a ward is a room with beds for the patients who receive care and treatment from the medical staff.

The intensive care unit is a type of hospital ward that is different from general wards. In this special ward, patients who are severely ill are admitted. It is needed for patients who require continuous monitoring and care or have undergone major surgery. Everyone must follow a few instructions while visiting an intensive care unit.

What Is an Intensive Care Unit?

The intensive care unit (ICU) is a special ward in the hospital that is different from general wards. In this special ward, patients who are severely ill are admitted.

What Are the Other Names of the Intensive Care Unit?

It is also called the critical care unit (CCU) or intensive therapy unit (ITU).

Why Is an Intensive Care Unit Needed?

It is needed for:

• Patients who require special medical care.

• Patients who need support systems such as machines and life support.

• Patients who need continuous monitoring.

• Patients who have undergone a major surgery such as heart, kidney, liver, or other.

What to Expect in the Intensive Care Unit?

• The patient will have several machines for heart monitoring, blood pressure monitoring, an artificial ventilator, and many more.

• These machines have a special alarm system, such as a beep sound when the patient's condition becomes severe or if there are sudden changes.

• There are many tubes attached to the patient, used for providing nutrition.

Who Works in the Intensive Care Unit?

Generally, there is one nurse who looks after one or two patients. In addition, the medical staff who work in the intensive care unit receive special training.

• Registered nurses take care of the patient and give medicines and support in exercising during physical therapy. They also help in communicating information and concerns with the doctor.

• Nurse practitioners are different from registered nurses. They work with doctors and help them in diagnosing and treating medical conditions. They also prescribe medicines and perform medical procedures.

• Doctors work at a higher level to plan effective treatment for patients. Every doctor works for a specific department, such as heart, general surgery, cancer, etc.

• Physical therapists take care of the patient's physical activity, which helps the patient stay active. They also perform different exercises based on the patient’s condition and illness.

• Respiratory care practitioners look after the respiratory or breathing machines.

For How Long Does a Patient Stay in the Intensive Care Unit?

The duration of the stay in an intensive care unit depends on the severity of the illness and the type of disease. It may vary from a few days to a few months. In general, patients stay in an intensive care unit for four to five days.

What to Do While Visiting an Intensive Care Unit?

While visiting an intensive care unit, the visitor must keep in mind a few general rules:

• The visiting time to see the patient in an intensive care unit is generally fixed. Therefore, always check the time before visiting.

• The number of visitors in an intensive care unit is limited, such as one person at a time. Avoid going in big numbers to see a patient.

• If unwell or sick, avoid visiting the intensive care unit because it may increase the chance of spreading the infection to the patients in the intensive care unit.

• Before entering the intensive care unit, always sanitize one’s hands and remove the shoes. This reduces the risk of infection.

• Avoid bringing things from outside, such as flowers. Things from outside may contain infections and other bacteria from the external environment.

• A visitor may touch the patient to comfort them. Try to talk to the patient to make the patient feel comfortable.

What Happens After Discharge From an Intensive Care Unit?

After going home or while recovering, the patient may feel:

• Weakness - While recovering, the patient may feel general weakness, such as feeling exhausted. However, several physical exercises may help to gain strength.

• Loss of Sleep - The sleeping pattern may change in the intensive care unit. Therefore, while recovering at home, the patient may not be able to have a good sleep.

• Amnesia - It is the loss of memory and experiences that happened during intensive care.

• Change in Appetite - The patient may not be able to eat and drink well. The patient may also feel a change in the taste of the mouth and soreness. This may go on for a few days or weeks.

• Change in Digestion - The patient may suffer from diarrhea, bloating, or pain in the stomach while recovering. This may occur due to the side effects of the medications.

What Is Post-intensive Care Syndrome?

It is a group of health conditions experienced by the close family members of the patient who stayed in an intensive care unit. Depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder are commonly seen in the immediate family members and patients admitted to an intensive care unit.

Which Vital Signs Are Monitored in the Intensive Care Unit?

Vital signs are critical medical signs that indicate the status of the patient’s body and its normal functioning. In an intensive care unit, generally, five to six vital signs are monitored:

1. Pulse Rate - It is also called heart rate, which indicates the heart beating every minute. Generally, the pulse rate of an adult has 60 to 100 beats per minute.

2. Blood Pressure - It is the blood pressure exerted on the artery walls. It includes normal systolic pressure ranges between 90 to 140 mmHg, diastolic pressure ranges between 60 to 90 mmHg, and mean pressure ranges between 70 to 105 mmHg.

3. Respiratory Rate - The number of breaths taken by the patient every minute. An average adult takes between 12 to 20 breaths every minute.

4. Oxygen Saturation - It shows the saturation of the oxygen flowing through the arteries into the chest and abdomen blood vessels. 95 to 100% is the usual range of saturation.

5. Body Temperature - It is the balance between the body’s produced heat and lost heat. The average body temperature is 98.2 degrees Fahrenheit.

6. Level of Consciousness - It shows the level of awareness or mental status of the patient.

Conclusion

Intensive care units are special hospital wards for severely ill patients requiring continuous monitoring and observation. It has a special team of medical workers trained to provide intensive care. While visiting an intensive care unit patient, it is important to follow general instructions such as sanitizing hands, avoiding visits if the visitor is sick, and many others. The length of stay in an intensive care unit may vary from a few days to months.