What is an Intensive Care Unit?
It is a unit that aims to heal patients in need of intensive care due to severe dysfunction in one or more organs or organ systems. Its physical infrastructure and location are designed to be specific to patient care. The follow-up and treatment of the patient are continued uninterruptedly on a 24-hour basis. Vital signs of the patient are continuously monitored with devices with advanced technology. In intensive care units, a team of physicians, nurses, physiotherapists, assistant physicians, dietitians, and social workers specializing in this field take part.
Intensive care units are distinguished from other parts of the hospital with 3 features:
• Nurse rate per patient,
• Presence of intensive interventional monitoring,
• Use of mechanical and pharmacological life supports such as mechanical ventilation, vasopressor drugs, and continuous dialysis.