LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1. 1 identify and describe the characteristics of an ICU and an ICU patient

2. 2 identify and describe the types of monitoring that occurs in ICUs

3. 3 identify and describe the major types of ICUs and the support technology used within them

4. 4 define and describe medical telemetry and WMTS

Introduction

Patients who are very ill or in serious condition will usually be found in the intensive care unit (ICU). Although these patient care areas may be called various names, they have some similar qualities. Generally, intensive care units have a very large amount of technology involved in patient monitoring and treatment. Technical staff who work in this area need to understand the characteristics and special needs of ICUs.

Many hospitals in the United States have their own way of organizing and providing intensive care. For example, some hospitals do not separate surgical and medical patients. Some hospitals include transplant patients in their medical units, whereas others send transplant patients to the surgical floor, and still others have stand-alone transplant intensive care units. It is virtually impossible to address all the variations in this chapter. However, the issues important to intensive-care patients and staff who care for them transcend the hospital-defined categories.

Characteristics of intensive care units

Some smaller or rural hospitals may not provide a high level of intensive care; consequently, patients who need intensive care are transferred to other hospitals. Here are the main characteristics of ICUs:

1. • Patients are very ill.

2. • Patients have a high mortality rate.

3. • Patients may not be conscious or mobile.

4. […]