INTRODUCTION:

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The first step inside an intensive care unit, or ICU, can be overwhelming.
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The machinery is complex, medications are potent, stress and worry are visible
on the faces of the families, and alarms seem to sound endlessly.
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The ICU can be intimidating and confusing.
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The reality is that the ICU is a place where skilled nurses, doctors, technicians,
pharmacists, respiratory therapists, & others competently care for the highly sick
clients in the hospital.
Florence Nightingale in the 1880s detailed the benefits of grouping postoperative
clients together to optimize their care and recovery.
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Dr. W.E. Dandy developed a three-bed postoperative neurosurgical unit in the
early 1890s at John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore .
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In 1927 a unit specifically for premature infants was established in Chicago.
II nd world war – shock wards
1947-48 outbreak polio Epidemic – respiratory ICU
During the late 1940s, the polio epidemic required the use of iron lungs as well as
tracheotomy procedures and manual ventilation to support clients with
respiratory paralysis.
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The physical needs were so great that intensive nursing care was required by
these clients.
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In the 1950s, mechanical ventilation was developed.
1950 peter safar anathetist ‘Advanced support of Life’ (sedated & ventilated)
1990- development of various specialty & ICU significantly reduced the
mortality and hopital stay time

1. Critical care unit is defined as the unit in which comprehensive care of a

critically ill patient who is deemed recoverable is carried out.
2. Critical care unit is a specially designed and equipped facility staffed by
skilled personnel to provide effective and safe care for dependent patients
with life threatening or potentially life threatening problems.

Location:
• Calm & Quiet environment
• Close relationship with
 • Imaging techniques
• Physiotherapy
• Trauma unit
• Burns
• Respiratory care
• Laboratory
Design:
1. Should permit direct view of the unit – square, U shaped or rectangle.
2. Cubicles separated with walls/papers or opaque glasses
3. Doors should be wide enough
4. Provision for visitors and not to disturb the client/ Nursing team
5. Each cubicle should have window
6. Calendar and clock in the unit/ cubicle
7. Rapid communication system.
8. Centrally placed monitor