Table of contents:
- Why does the ICU only treat certain people?
- The patient's condition is usually treated in the hospital's ICU
- 1. Patients who must be monitored closely
- 2. Patients with lung problems
- 3. Patients who have heart problems
- 4. Patients with serious infections
Not just anyone can be treated in the ICU. There are certain criteria and conditions that require a person to undergo treatment as an ICU patient. What are the criteria?
Why does the ICU only treat certain people?
As the name implies, Intensive Care Unit aka ICU is only for people who need intensive care from a doctor. The procedure carried out in the ICU is certainly different from the ER and ordinary treatment rooms.
Complete and special equipment, nurses who are always on hand, to doctors who are always on the alert, always stand byin the ICU. That is why, not all hospitalized patients will be admitted to the ICU. Diseases that are mild in nature and require only regular treatment are not treated here.
Patients who need ICU are those who are in critical condition and need 24-hour medical supervision.
The patient's condition is usually treated in the hospital's ICU
In fact, most doctors find it difficult to decide who should be admitted to the ICU. However, a study from the University of Michigan revealed that nearly 13% of hospitalized patients had pneumonia. Most of them were admitted to the ICU.
However, many of these patients actually have a low risk of emergency (death). Their need for equipment in the ICU is not that urgent.
In addition, only a few (about 6%) recovered faster than patients treated in normal wards.
Therefore, it can be concluded that there are some patients who do not have to be admitted to the ICU, but are placed there.
So, what are the criteria for patients who should be admitted to the ICU?
1. Patients who must be monitored closely
Basically, there are some patients who need close care and monitoring from medical personnel. Starting from patients who have recently had surgery, accidents, or have suffered head injuries.
If something very critical happens, the ICU room with its equipment and medical personnel who are always on standby can act quickly.
In addition, several factors such as the patient's hemodynamic condition (blood flow system), room temperature, ventilation, and nutrition are routinely monitored in the ICU.
This is done to increase the life chances of these patients.
2. Patients with lung problems
In addition to patients who must be closely monitored, patients with lung problems are also frequently admitted to the ICU. For example, their lungs become inflamed as a result of injury or infection, making it difficult for them to breathe.
This condition sometimes makes patients need a ventilator so that they can breathe easily. It is because of the complete ICU room equipment that they are often treated here.
3. Patients who have heart problems
Unstable blood pressure and heart attack are conditions that are often seen in the ICU. Therefore, complete observation is needed to determine the cause and the right treatment.
In addition, people who have recently had heart surgery are prone to infectious diseases, so monitoring them in the ICU is a step that is often taken.
This problem is quite serious, especially the initial 24-48 hours passed by the patient. Therefore, the ICU is often used to treat patients with heart problems.
4. Patients with serious infections
Severe and serious infections require intensive care from a doctor. For example, a patient who has a severe infection, leading to sepsis, is strongly recommended to be admitted to the ICU.
For those with infections, the top priority of the ICU is to treat patients quickly. This aims to prevent infection from spreading to important organs of the body, such as the respiratory or central nervous system.
As the name implies, the ICU is intended for patients who need intensive care because of their health conditions. Complete equipment and medical personnel who are always on hand can help patients get the best health care for their recovery.
