title: Intermediate intensive units: definition, legislation and need in Italy.
abstract: This paper deals with the definition of intensive care medicine and the organization of different levels of care; intermediate and high level. The organization, facilities and personnel for intermediate care are discussed. The available public data on the organization of intensive medicine and modifications planned by the Legislator are considered. Finally, the usefulness of intermediate care and an estimate of the actual need, based on prospective multicentre ad hoc studies, are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Anestesia Rianimazione e Terapia Intensiva, IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore, Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Iapichino
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Apolone
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Melotti
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Simini
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Breda
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Calappi
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rotelli
mesh_terms: D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D012124:Respiratory Care Units / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000600:supply & distribution