An Intensive Care Unit (ICU), also known as a Critical Care Unit (CCU), Intensive Therapy Unit or Intensive Treatment Unit (ITU) is a special department of a hospital that provides intensive-care medicine.
Intensive Care Units cater to patients with the most serious injuries and illnesses, most of which are life-threatening and need constant, close monitoring and support from specialist equipment and medication in order to maintain normal bodily functions. They are staffed by highly trained doctors and critical care nurses who specialise in caring for the most severely ill patients.
Patients may be transferred to an Intensive Care Unit from a ward if they require constant monitoring, or immediately after surgery if the surgery is invasive or the patient is at risk of complications.
Read more about Intensive Care Unit: History, Specialities, Equipment and Systems, Quality of Care
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