title: The role and function of an Australian intensive care unit.
abstract: A detailed report on the activities of a major Australasian ICU is presented. An adequate team of specially trained medical and nursing staff is required to function efficiently. Despite a linear increase in admissions and a broadening scope of references, mortality  has remained constant. Practice of Intensive Care Medicine must not be confined solely to special units. Involvement in other hospital areas is described.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001315:Australia; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008499:Medical Records; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital; D008875:Middle Aged; D008952:Mobile Health Units; D009026:Mortality; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital; D010343:Patient Admission; D012151:Resuscitation