ICUs
Hospital crisis zones
ICUs is the plural of ICU, the abbreviation for intensive care unit—a hospital department providing continuous monitoring and life support for critically ill patients.
ICUs have specialized equipment and higher staff-to-patient ratios than regular wards: Three ICUs in the hospital were at capacity.
The term often appears in news about health system strain.
Ongoing observation of something
- sedationDrug-induced calm state
- round-the-clockHappening all day, every day
- stabilizeMake firm or constant
- life supportSystems maintaining vital functions
mechanical ventilation · resuscitation · critical care · palliative · weaning · titration · vasopressors · induced coma
Mechanical breathing assistants
- respiratorsMasks filtering harmful air
- defibrillatorsDevices restoring heart rhythm
- dialysis machinesEquipment filtering blood externally
- ECMOArtificial blood oxygenation device
feeding tubes · IV pumps · oxygen · intubation · tracheostomy · pulse oximeters · catheters · suction
Intensely severe or perceptive
- postoperativeAfter an operation
- ventilatedSupplied with fresh air
- sedatedCalmed by medication
- unstableProne to sudden change
intubated · unconscious · septic · organ failure · comatose · immunocompromised · deteriorating
Medical care professionals
- respiratory therapistsHealthcare workers treating breathing disorders
- specialistsFocused field authorities
- attending physiciansLicensed doctors supervising trainees
- pharmacistsLicensed medication dispensers
dietitians · social workers · chaplains · physiotherapists · charge nurse · fellows · residents · consultants
monitoring
Ongoing observation of something
- sedationDrug-induced calm state
- round-the-clockHappening all day, every day
- stabilizeMake firm or constant
life support · mechanical ventilation · resuscitation · critical care · palliative · weaning · titration · vasopressors · induced coma · pain management
ventilators
Mechanical breathing assistants
- respiratorsMasks filtering harmful air
- defibrillatorsDevices restoring heart rhythm
- dialysis machinesEquipment filtering blood externally
ECMO · feeding tubes · IV pumps · oxygen · intubation · tracheostomy · pulse oximeters · catheters · suction · telemetry
acute
Intensely severe or perceptive
- postoperativeAfter an operation
- ventilatedSupplied with fresh air
- sedatedCalmed by medication
unstable · intubated · unconscious · septic · organ failure · comatose · immunocompromised · deteriorating
nurses
Medical care professionals
- respiratory therapistsHealthcare workers treating breathing disorders
- specialistsFocused field authorities
- attending physiciansLicensed doctors supervising trainees
pharmacists · dietitians · social workers · chaplains · physiotherapists · charge nurse · fellows · residents · consultants
neonatal
Of earliest infancy
burn unit · cardiac · neurological · trauma · medical · transplant · step-down · mobile · field
- healthcaredoctors, nurses, hospitals, hospital, clinic
- hospital facilitiesemergency rooms, operating rooms, patient rooms, surgical suites, intensive care
Facilities for restored health
ambulatory care · outpatient clinics · wellness clinics · waiting rooms
ICUshome care
Assistance provided at residence
hospice care · home health · self-care · outpatient care · community care
- ICU nurseMedical professional in intensive care
- ICU bedsHospital's most monitored spots
- ICU patientSeverely ill hospitalized person
- ICU stayPeriod in intensive care
- ICU capacityAvailable intensive treatment slots
- pediatric ICUCritical care for minors