An intensive care unit (ICU) is a hospital ward that provides specialized care and treatment for patients who are acutely ill or injured and in potentially life-threatening conditions. ICUs are also known as critical care units (CCUs) or intensive therapy units (ITUs).
The basics of IC care include thoroughly monitoring the patient’s heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, blood oxygen levels, urinary output, and temperature. Typical equipment in an ICU.
A NICU, or neonatal intensive care unit, is a hospital nursery that provides around-the-clock care for sick or premature babies. Babies are admitted to the NICU for a variety of reasons, including:
- Being born early
- Having health problems
- Having a difficult birth
- Having breathing trouble
- Having heart problems
- Having infections
- Having birth defects
- Having low birth weight
- Having perinatal problems
- Having congenital abnormalities
- Having neuromuscular disorders
- Having undergone thoraco-abdominal surgery
