How does it work? of Intensive care

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Intensive care units contain a variety of specialised equipment, which may vary from one unit to another.

The machines cause a variety of alarms, bleeps and other sounds, most of which alert staff when something needs attention or has changed slightly, few require immediate attention from the nurse.

Ventilators

A ventilator is an artificial breathing machine which moves oxygen-enriched air in and out of the lungs. There are different levels of breathing assistance offered by ventilators, for example they can be used solely for difficulty inhaling.

Artificial breathing can be maintained for several days by using a tube in the mouth (endotracheal tube), sometimes also in the nose, which is held in place by ribbon attached behind the neck. After surgery oxygen-enriched air can be provided via a mask.

Longer-term help with breathing may require a tracheotomy.

IVs and pumps

Tubes inserted intravenously (into a vein in the arm, chest, neck or leg) are used to provide the body with a steady supply of essential fluids, vitamins, nutrients, medication, and sometimes blood.

Also known as IVs, IV lines, or drips, they consist of one or more bags of fluid hanging from a pole (drip stands), and attached to pumps (syringe drivers) which constantly regulate supply.

In some cases a small device called a cannula is fitted to the IV line which allows the flow to be switched on and off (like a tap) without having to attach or re-attach the line into a vein.

Feeding tubes

The use of a ventilator prevents normal swallowing so a feeding tube is normally placed in the nose, down the throat and stomach, and into the small intestines to provide liquid food.

Nasogastric tubes

This tube, sometimes referred to as a NG tube, is placed through the nose and down into the stomach. It is used to remove solid food or liquids from the stomach if necessary.

Monitoring

Wires are attached from various parts of the body to monitors (like small tvâ€™s) in order to measure critical bodily functions such as:

heart rate and rhythm using an electrocardiograph (ECG),
air flow to the lungs,
pulse,
blood pressure,
amount of oxygen in the blood.

Drains

Tubes called drains may be used to remove any build-ups of blood in an area of the body until healing occurs.

Catheters

Catheters are thin flexible tubes which are inserted into the bladder to allow urine to be passed. The amount passed is usually measured.

You may see a special bag hanging off the side of the bed. This bag is called a foley catheter; it is connected to a tube that goes into the bladder. It is used to measure the amount of fluid (urine) the patient voids (pees). The patient does not have to get up and go to the bathroom.

Suction pumps

Suction equipment is used to remove excess secretions to keep airways clear.

Neonatal equipment

In addition, intensive care units for babies (neonatal or paediatric intesive care units) have:

open cots,
incubators,
overhead heaters to keep body temperature constant.