In intensive care units, a team of physicians, nurses, physiotherapists, assistant physicians, dietitians, and social workers specializing in this field take part.

Who is a Critical Patient?

Those whose life functions are severely impaired as a result of illness or trauma or who are at risk of deterioration at any time are defined as "critical patients". Patients are referred to the intensive care unit, emergency unit, operating room, or a different care area within the hospital, or another hospital. In this process, the decision of the physician regarding the need for close observation or special monitoring and/or treatment is taken as a basis.

What is Mechanical Ventilation?

The patient, who does not breathe at all or has difficulty in breathing, is provided with oxygen until this problem is treated by mechanical ventilation. The connection between the patient and the device is made by the endotracheal tube, which is advanced from the mouth to the trachea.

What are the Working Principles of an Intensive Care Unit?

24/7 continuous treatment and care services are provided. The instant changes of the patient are monitored with advanced devices, and the necessary interventions are made and recorded instantly.

Physicians who specialize in intensive care work in a seizure pattern. Nurses with special knowledge and experience in this field work in the intensive care unit. Assistant healthcare personnel is also aware of the service provided.

In the process of evaluating the critical conditions of the patients and arranging their treatment, a multidisciplinary approach is followed, in which physicians from other specialties are also involved in the follow-up of the patient.

In the intensive care unit, advanced technological infrastructure such as respiratory support devices, monitors, drug pumps, featured and washable beds, central gas, and oxygen systems, uninterruptible power supplies, special ventilation systems (HEPA filters), and pressure adjusted rooms are worked with.

What Does Intensive Care Treatment Target?

There are two targets in the treatment. The first goal is the treatment of the main disease that disrupts the general condition. The second goal is the treatment of organ dysfunctions that develop during the control process of the existing disease. The continuity of body functions is maintained by providing advanced life support when necessary while treating the patient's underlying disease.

Why is the Patient Sedated in the Intensive Care Unit?

The consciousness level of the patients is continuously checked during their stay in the intensive care unit. Painkillers and sedative drugs are given by evaluating the characteristics of the patient. In some conditions involving the brain, patients can be put to a deeper sleep through medications to rest brain functions or to prevent the patient's breathing efforts from conflicting with the artificial respirator.

How to Feed the Patient in the Intensive Care Unit?

The nutrition of intensive care patients is different from that of patients in other units. First of all, the amount of daily calories needed by the patients is calculated. Calories, special nutritional products, and intravenous or gastrointestinal intake are provided.

Why is the Intensive Care Unit Closed to the Companion?

Patients treated in the intensive care unit are more susceptible to infection because of their general condition. Therefore, the presence of people other than the personnel in the units may lead to the development of infection in the patient. For this reason, patient services in intensive care units are continued for 24 hours without the need for patient accompaniment. In these units where the struggle for survival is experienced, it should be known that it is not possible for people who have not received intensive care training to be useful. In addition, the general appearance of the intensive care patient is different. Therefore, it is also important in terms of the protection of the patient's rights.

How to Get Informed About the Inpatient in the Intensive Care Unit?

Yoğun bakımda bulunan hasta hakkında bilgi, yoğun bakım hekimleri tarafından sadece hastanın birinci derece yakınlarına verilir. Ziyaret saatlerinde ve hekimlerin uygun olduğu sürece hasta yakınları her türlü bilgiye ulaşabilir.

What are the Rules of Entry to the Intensive Care Unit?

In order to protect the privacy of patients in intensive care, only first-degree relatives of the patient are considered visitors.

In order to protect intensive care patients from infection, employees in this unit use special clothing.
All visitors are also ensured to comply with hand hygiene practices and isolation rules.

What is Intensive Care Visiting Hours?

Since the intensive care units are constantly active and intensively worked, the visiting hours were arranged according to the appropriate hours in order to ensure the continuity of the patient's treatment and care.

Visiting hours are determined as 11:00-12:00 and 16:00-17:00. the visits must not exceed 3-5 minutes due to the sensitivity of the patient's conditions.

For information on your patient, please contact the Intensive Care Unit at 0216 578 51 20

This content was prepared by Yeditepe University Hospitals Medical Editorial Board.

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