A specialized hospital unit providing continuous monitoring and advanced treatment for patients with serious or potentially life-threatening illness or injury.
An intensive care unit (ICU) is staffed and equipped to provide a level of monitoring and organ support that is not usually available on a general hospital ward. Patients may require close monitoring of vital signs, intravenous medicines, mechanical ventilation, dialysis, or other forms of advanced support.
Admission to an ICU does not necessarily mean that recovery is impossible. Patients may be admitted because they need temporary intensive monitoring or support while recovering from a severe illness, surgery, injury, or complication.
QUICK FACT
An ICU is defined by the level of monitoring and support provided, not simply by how sick a patient looks.
COMMONLY CONFUSED WITH
- Emergency department (ED): provides rapid assessment and stabilization of patients with acute illness or injury; patients may subsequently be admitted to an ICU if intensive care is required.
- High-dependency unit (HDU): provides a level of monitoring and support between a general ward and an ICU, although terminology and organization vary between hospitals.
SEE ALSO