Introduction to Intensive Care Unit and Equipments PDF

# Introduction to Intensive Care Unit and Equipments The document is about Intensive Care Units and related equipment used for critically ill patients in the ICU. The document contains various sections as detailed below: ## Definition * Intensive Care represents the highest level of patient care...

# Introduction to Intensive Care Unit and Equipments The document is about Intensive Care Units and related equipment used for critically ill patients in the ICU. The document contains various sections as detailed below: ## Definition * Intensive Care represents the highest level of patient care and treatment for critically ill patients with possibly recoverable life-threatening conditions. * Intensive care (critical care) is a multidisciplinary and interprofessional specialty designed for the management of patients at risk of developing or with established life-threatening organ failure. It has the capacity to temporarily support and, if necessary, replace the function of many failing organ systems, particularly the lungs, cardiovascular system, and kidneys. * In most ICUs, technical procedures are done by various team members, usually by nursing staff although nurses' primary role is patient care. ## Intensive Care Aims * Maintain vital functions. * Prevent further physiological deterioration. * Reduce mortality. * Prevent morbidity in critically ill patients. ## Types of Intensive Care Units (ICUs) * These units are organized based on the pathologies / conditions treated like neurological, trauma, burns, medical, and surgical. * The age group is another factor; the patient can be adult or pediatric. * Some specialized intensive care units include medical, surgical, pediatric, and neonatal intensive care units. **Different types of ICUs:** 1. **Medical Intensive Care Unit:** Dedicated to caring for adult patients with medical conditions requiring frequent observation, specialized monitoring, and medical treatment. This includes illnesses such as diabetic ketoacidosis, gastrointestinal bleeding, drug overdose, respiratory failure, sepsis, stroke, and cancer. 2. **Surgical Intensive Care Unit:** Dedicated to managing postoperative patients, including patients who have undergone major abdominal surgeries, craniotomy patients, thoracotomy patients, unstable multiple trauma patients, and any surgical patient needing continuous monitoring or life support. 3. **Pediatric Intensive Care Unit:** Critically ill children are managed in the pediatric intensive care unit. Patients who have just undergone surgery and are at risk of deterioration are also managed here. 4. **Neonatal Intensive Care Unit:** Responsible for managing premature, high-risk, and critically ill infants. Neonates with congenital disorders and birth complications are also managed here. ## Equipments Used in ICU The equipment used varies from general to very specialized, depending on the need: * Instruments to measure blood pressure * Bedside monitors * Ventilators * Defibrillator * Patient Monitor * CPAP & BPAP systems Examples of common equipment found in ICUs: ### Respiratory Therapies 1. **High Flow Nasal Cannula:** Allows for a high concentration of oxygen to be delivered to patients comfortably. It's used as a therapy of its own, or during breaks from a tighter mask. Oxygen is routed through a humidifier to ensure it's moist and does not dry the airways. 2. **Non-Invasive Ventilation (NIV):** Helps patients to breathe without any tubes going into their mouth. It uses a tight mask that covers the nose and mouth connected to a small machine that provides extra oxygen or support with every breath. The mask is secured tightly to prevent air leaks. It helps increase blood oxygen levels and reduced carbon dioxide levels. It's used on conscious patients and helps to prevent the need for a ventilator. 3. **Endotracheal Tube (ET):** A tube inserted through the patient's mouth into their windpipe. It's used for patients who are having difficulty breathing due to a lung problem, or for patients who are not awake enough to breathe for themselves. It's connected to tubing which is connected to a ventilator. 4. **The Ventilator:** Has different settings and is adjusted according to the needs of the patient. It supports their breathing. 5. **Tracheostomy:** A surgical procedure where a hole is made in a patient's neck and a small tube is inserted into their windpipe. This tube is then attached to the ventilator, or oxygen support. It's an option for patients who require long-term ventilation, difficult weaning from the ventilator, and patients with copious secretions (phlegm). When a patient no longer requires ventilator support and only needs oxygen therapy, the oxygen tube is connected to the tracheostomy. 6. **Arterial Line:** A line that goes into the patient's artery. It allows the nurse to see the blood pressure continuously and also allows them to take blood samples when required. It's a red line that usually goes into a patient's arm and is connected to the cardiac monitor (a box that looks like a TV and shows the blood pressure constantly). 7. **Cardiac Monitor:** Located at the head of the bed, it looks like a TV with different colors and is connected to the patient using wires and stickers. It shows heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing. Any alarm should be reported immediately. 8. **Infusion Pumps:** Controlled by the nursing staff. These pumps control the amount of medication or fluid that a patient receives and how fast or slow it can be given. You will see fluids and bags of medication hanging over these on a pole. The fluid or medication flows through plastic lines and passes through the pump and into the patient. 9. **Central Line:** Required by most patients in the ICU. It's a line that goes in through one of the large blood vessels in the neck or the groin. It allows multiple medications to be given at the same time and to deliver stronger medication. 10. **Nasogastric Tube (NG):** Goes through a patient's nose and into their stomach. It allows the nurse to feed them when they are too unwell to eat and drink, or when their appetite is reduced due to illness. 11. **Nasogastric (NG) Feed Pump:** Delivers feed to a patient at a set amount per hour. It's typically used for patients who are continuously fed during their ICU stay. ## Other Therapies * **Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN):** A nutrition solution given intravenously. The patient's nutritional needs are met through this method. A pump delivers a small amount to the patient. * **Thrombo-Embolic Deterrent Stockings (TEDS):** Long green socks worn by patients to prevent the development of blood clots in the legs. These socks are also common for long flights. * **Intermittent Pneumatic Compression Machine ('flowtrons'):** A machine that keeps the blood moving and prevents blood from pooling and forming clots. * **Pressure Relieving Mattress ('Air mattress'):** Used to prevent pressure injuries or 'bed sores.' * **Urinary Catheter:** Placed to monitor hourly output. This helps to calculate fluid intake versus output. ## References * https://patient.uwhealth.org/healthfacts/7421.