Intensive care
Intensive care is a subset of nursing . It is necessary where intensive medicine is used, usually in the intensive care unit .
need
Disturbed or failed organ functions (e.g. heart function, lung function, kidney function, ...) are temporarily monitored, supported or replaced, ideally until the patient's body takes them over again.
A person's need for intensive therapy can arise from various causes, the most common of which are
- Disruption of one or more vital functions (respiration, cardiovascular, neurology or temperature)
- Shock (e.g., septic, hypovolemic, cardiac S.)
- Limitation of lung function e.g. B. from injuries or previous illnesses such as severe asthma
- Unconsciousness / comatose states e.g. B. through skull injuries or metabolic disorders; Poisoning
- Post-ventilation after major operations
Treatment options
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Intensive care is required wherever patients need to be closely monitored and / or supported in their bodily functions, for example in the areas of anesthesiological, internal, surgical / traumatological, neurological and neonatal intensive care medicine .
However, intensive care is not tied to a clinical setting. Also for home care, e.g. B. for home ventilation there are numerous, mostly private providers of outpatient intensive care (intensive care service).
The tasks of the carers are divided into:
- Monitoring of the patient's vital situation (and, if necessary, intervention)
- Operation of the necessary apparatus and machines, e.g. For example: surveillance monitors, ventilators, infusion pumps, dialysis machines
- Administering medication and infusions
- Personal hygiene of the patient
- Dressing change , if necessary tube care , wound care
- Assistance with medical interventions (e.g. creation of a central venous access, bronchoscopy ...) and transport to examinations such as CT , MRI , etc.
- Carrying out medical orders
- Performing minor invasive procedures such as placing a peripheral venous line, urinary catheter or nasogastric tube, endotracheal suction , etc.
- Storage treatments and possibly mobilization of the patient
- psychological care of the patient and their relatives as far as possible
- Terminal care
What is special about intensive care compared to nursing is that it takes care of patients who have little or no resources to help themselves. In addition, the vital functions must be continuously monitored and supported, often with the help of many technical devices that also have to be operated. This requires a high level of personnel costs and a certain technical understanding.
Prerequisites for working in intensive care are flexibility, the ability to work in a team, noise tolerance, willingness to learn and also the ability and willingness to deal with negative and frustrating situations, because in spite of all medical possibilities, mortal danger and death are always present.
To specialize in the work in the intensive care unit, qualified nurses have the option of special training as nurses for intensive care and anesthesia . The special training lasts 2 years in Germany, 1 year in Austria, and can be proven after one year of professional experience in the intensive area and a positive admission procedure.