An intensive care unit is a specialised service that allows patients in a critical condition to be taken care of. These patients may need monitoring closely or present acute organ failure.
Their role is to compensate for failing organs with:
Admission may both be scheduled, for example, after major surgery or during medical treatments that may have potentially serious complications, and take place in an emergency, for example, with a serious infection, or a heart, respiratory or neurological problem.
Upon admission, more or less invasive continuous monitoring of vital parameters is established on the basis of the patient’s clinical condition. This allows for close monitoring of the patient, as well as continuous adaptation of the treatment. Once the patient’s clinical condition has been stabilised or the risk of serious complication has been averted, the patient is transferred to a standard care unit.
Collège des médecins anesthésistes