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Treatment and the treatment process

What is intensive care

Intensive care (the ICU) is a unit with constant monitoring for when organs need support.

Last updated: ~1 min read
A calm ICU bay — What is intensive care
Figure 1.A calm ICU bay — What is intensive care

01Short answer

Unlike a normal ward, each patient has more nurses, monitors watch the heart, blood pressure and oxygen continuously, and machines may support breathing, blood pressure or the kidneys. In leukaemia, reasons for transfer include sepsis, severe breathing failure, bleeding or the need for safe monitoring. The ICU works together with the haematology team; a transfer does not always mean "the last stage".

02Simple explanation

Topic. intensive care.

Ask. Your team will explain your own situation.

Write down. Your questions.

Overview. The article “What intensive care is and why patients go there”.

03Scientific explanation

Organ support: machines temporarily take over an organ’s work while it recovers.

Early transfer: moving before things get worse can improve outcomes.

04What happens in the body?

Intensive care

Unlike a normal ward, each patient has more nurses, monitors watch the heart, blood pressure and oxygen continuously, and machines may support breathing, blood pressure or the kidneys. In leukaemia, reasons for transfer include sepsis, severe breathing failure, bleeding or the need for safe monitoring. The ICU works together with the haematology team; a transfer does not always mean "the last stage".

In more detail

Organ support: machines temporarily take over an organ’s work while it recovers. Early transfer: moving before things get worse can improve outcomes.

One nurse per patient.
Figure 2.One nurse per patient.

The overview

This article goes deep into one subject. For the bigger picture, see “What intensive care is and why patients go there”.

From the ward to the ICU.
Figure 3.From the ward to the ICU.

05Intensive care: the steps

Four steps.

Assessment — The teams.1AssessmentThe teams.
Transfer — To the ICU.2TransferTo the ICU.
Support — Machines.3SupportMachines.
Return — To the ward.4ReturnTo the ward.

06Ward and ICU

FeatureWardICU
NursesSeveral patients eachOne or two patients each
MonitoringPeriodicContinuous
Organ supportLimitedWith machines

07Key terms

Intensive care
Continuous treatment for serious illness.
Organ support
Replacing organ function with a machine.

08Key points

  • Everyone’s plan is individual.
  • Write down and bring your questions.
  • Report new symptoms early.
  • Do not change medicines yourself.
  • For food, see “Handwashing: the simplest protection” and “Eggs and dairy: safe choices”.
  • Overview: “What intensive care is and why patients go there”.

09Frequently asked questions

How long is an ICU stay?

It varies, from a few days to weeks.

Is this the same for everyone?

No; the plan depends on the type of leukaemia and your situation.

Where is the overview?

In the article “What intensive care is and why patients go there”.

10Questions for your doctor

Take these questions to your appointment. The ones you save are collected on the “My questions” page and stay on this device only.

  1. How long is an ICU stay?

  2. Is this the same for everyone?

  3. Where is the overview?

My questions

12Sources

  1. MedlinePlus. Critical Care
  2. MedlinePlus. Leukemia
  3. MedlinePlus. Sepsis
  4. MedlinePlus. Cancer Chemotherapy
  5. American Cancer Society. How Chemotherapy Drugs Work
  6. Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Group (CCLG). Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL)
  7. Cancer Research UK. Other ways of having chemotherapy
  8. Macmillan Cancer Support. Intrathecal chemotherapy
  9. MedlinePlus. Cytarabine injection
  10. Macmillan Cancer Support. Cytarabine
Medical disclaimerThis information is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice.
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