Intensive care in developing countries in the Western Pacific.
The rapid economic, scientific, and technologic development in Asia probably is the most important in the world today. Eventually, the development of health care and critical care medicine in the Western Pacific will be affected. Even with the problems that have to be faced, the future of critical care medicine in the region looks promising.However, the leaders of critical care medicine in each country should identify the model of intensive care practice that is the most appropriate for their country. Each country needs to assign an appropriate rank of priority to intensive care. There is a great need for simple, inexpensive therapeutic interventions and methods for monitoring critically ill patients that can be shown to be effective. Efficient systems for transporting critically patients are also needed. Simple ventilators with inexpensive monitors and defibrillators are the technology that is most needed. Good referral systems and greater use of physician extenders, such as nurse practitioners, to provide enhanced access to specialist care for critical illness should be promoted. A few high-standard ICUs with good facilities for education and training should be organized on a regional basis in each country.
Mustafa
Iqbal
I
Intensive Care Unit, Harapan Kita Cardiovascular Center, Jakarta, Indonesia. iqbalicu@idola.net.id
D001208:Asia; D003422:Critical Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003906:Developing Countries; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000458:organization & administration*