title: Twenty-five years of respiratory intensive care.
abstract: During the years 1961 to 1986 the four-bedded Artificial Ventilation Unit of the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh has treated 3046 patients with respiratory problems of all types. There has been a steady increase in the number of patients admitted each year to the present level of 180-190, a fall in mean length of stay from 15 to six days and the mortality rate has been reduced to 13%. The type of case admitted has shown considerable variation over the years with the most significant change being a large increase in the patients admitted post-operatively. The size of the unit has placed severe restrictions on the work that can be undertaken.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthetics, Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh.
authors.forename: L V
authors.initials: LV
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: D T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Brown
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003422:Critical Care / Q000639:trends*; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000639:trends; D011379:Prognosis; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000639:trends*; D012606:Scotland; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000628:therapy; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000628:therapy