What is an ICU?

An ICU or Intensive Care Unit, also called Critical Care Unit, are speciality units in hospitals which care for critically ill patients. The ICU caters to patients with the most extensive illnesses including life threatening injuries and those needing consistent and constant monitoring.

ICU's are staffed by highly trained doctors and nurses who primary focus is to monitor, maintain the speciality equipment and medications, and ensure post surgical patients with high risks are being cared for.

The first ICU in the United States was opened by Dr. Mosenthal at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in 1955. In response to the outbreak of Polio, Dr. Ibsen created the first ventilator unit, a piece of speciality equipment used in the ICU, and was said to be the first intensive care practitioner.

While there is usually an ICU in every hospital, there are also speciality branches of the ICU such as:

• NICU - Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (care for newborns)
• PICU - Pediatric Intensive Care Unit  (care for pediatric patients)
• CCU - Coronary Care Unit  (care for cardiac patients)
• PACU - Post Anesthesia Care Unit  (care for patients recovering from surgery)

These different varieties of ICU's help hospitals staff specifically trained professionals to better assist patients. While ICU is a speciality in nursing, the NICU, PICU, CCU and PACU all require additional training in order to ensure quality care.

The most common equipment used in the Intensive Care Unit are ventilators, tracheotomy and other tubes, telemetry equipment, pacemakers, defibrillators, dialysis equipment, IV's, catheters, medically induced coma patients and speciality drugs.

At ADEX, we have a variety of both ICU and NICU, PICU, CCU, and PACU job in various areas. We would love to help you travel and see the nation, while focusing on this rewarding career.

Call us today, 1-855-573-1100 or visit us at www.adexmedicalstaffing.com to learn more!