intensive care unit
- Noun:
- A specialized hospital department: An "intensive care unit" is a separate section of a hospital that is specifically designed, staffed with specialized medical professionals, and equipped with advanced technology to provide constant, close monitoring and life-support treatment for critically ill or injured patients.
- Noun:
- After the major surgery, the patient was moved to the intensive care unit for close observation.
- The hospital's intensive care unit has a strict policy limiting visitor hours to ensure patient rest and reduce infection risk.
- Doctors in the intensive care unit are managing multiple life-support systems for the critically ill patient.
"To be admitted to the intensive care unit": This phrase describes the formal process of a patient being transferred into the ICU for critical care.
- The accident victim was immediately admitted to the intensive care unit upon arrival at the hospital.
"Intensive care unit staff/nurse/doctor": These compound terms specify the highly trained medical personnel who work within this unit.
- An intensive care unit nurse must be skilled in operating complex monitoring equipment.
ICU (n): The common acronym for "intensive care unit".
- The doctor said the patient is stable but will remain in the ICU overnight.
Intensive care (n): The type of constant, high-level medical treatment and monitoring provided, often used separately from "unit".
- She required intensive care for several days following the infection.
Critical care unit (n): A synonym often used interchangeably with "intensive care unit".
- Critical care unit (CCU): A unit providing similar, high-level care for critically ill patients.
- ITU (Intensive Therapy Unit): A term used synonymously in some regions, particularly the UK.
"To be in intensive care": To be a patient receiving treatment in the ICU.
- Her grandfather is in intensive care, so the family is very worried.
"To be discharged from the intensive care unit": To be moved out of the ICU to a less acute hospital ward as the patient's condition improves.
- He was discharged from the intensive care unit and is now recovering in a standard room.
- a hospital unit staffed and equipped to provide intensive care