Intensive care technologies

Abstract

When life is threatened by disease, time is survival. Survival hinges upon the speed with which the cause of a disease can be removed or limited while maintaining the patient's vital organ functions. Intensive care units (ICUs) have been established to help the patient survive by accelerating diagnostics, monitoring vital parameters continuously and initiating early therapy far beyond the means of standard hospital care. The faster and the more specifically any life-threatening situation is treated, the better the outcome for the patient. The outcome of intensive care today is evaluated by the method of evidence-based medicine sought through monitored, biostatistically scaled and synchronised clinical studies in hospitals around the world. To obtain an early diagnosis and start therapy, it is necessary to quickly and precisely integrate as much data and background information about the patient as possible. This is achieved by intensive personal communication with the patient - if possible - while gaining access to the patient's blood circulation and airways, and by obtaining organ images and vital blood parameters. © 2009 Springer Berlin Heidelberg.