An Intensive Care Unit (ICU) can be quite confronting for first-time visitors because it provides highly specialised, life-sustaining care that often involves complex medical equipment.
Upon entry to the ICU you may see your loved one being supported by a number of different machines, this can be difficult if unsure what they are for.
The following intervetions/machines may be present.
ICU Bed
ICU beds are designed to prevent injury to skin, and allow a variety of patient positioning for different cares.
Endotracheal (breathing) tube (ETT)
A tube placed into the patient’s trachea (windpipe), which allows a machine to assist them to breathe while they are sedated.
Tracheostomy
A surgical opening in the neck to access the trachea (windpipe). A tracheostomy tube is placed through the opening and can then be connected to a ventilator.
Ventilator
Ventilators can support or fully take over a patient’s breathing. This treatment may be support through the use of a medically induced coma.
Non-invasive ventilation
Some patients require assistance with their breathing, which can be provided using a tight-fitting mask, connected to an ICU ventilator.
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)
ECMO is a heart and/or lung bypass machine that helps perform the role of these organs while they recover.
Drains
Drains are placed after operations and allow for drainage of body fluids.
Indwelling urinary catheter
Urine is drained into a collection bag via a bladder catheter.
Gastric feeding tube
This tube runs from the nose or mouth to the stomach and allows feeding to occur.
Intravenous feeding (also called total parenteral nutrition or TPN)
Some patients can’t tolerate feeds through the stomach and have to be fed by administering nutrition via infusion into their bloodstream.
Central venous catheter (CVC)
A CVC is a venous line, placed either in the neck or the groin and allows for administration of fluids and medication.
Arterial catheter (or arterial line)
An arterial line is placed in an artery, usually in the patient’s wrist or groin and allows for precise continuous measurement of the blood pressure and for blood sampling.
Haemofiltration (renal (kidney) replacement therapy or RRT)
A haemofilter performs the functions of the kidneys (cleaning the blood from toxins and removing fluid) when the patient’s kidneys are unable to do so due to injury.