[What is intensive care medicine? Multidisciplinary intensive care units].
Intensive care medicine is described from a multidisciplinary point of view. The term "multidisciplinary" is used, although "multispeciality" may be more appropriate. Intensive care medicine is defined as an observational, diagnostical and therapeutical approach to the critically-ill patient, requiring specialized medical and nursing skills that cannot be met in a general ward. Critical illness is considered as overt or threatening, potentially reversible severe organ dysfunction. Intensive care medicine is conducted in the high-technology environment of intensive care units. These are further classified according to their own competency base as well as the level of the hospital in which they are situated.
Espersen
Kurt
K
Rigshospitalet, Abdominalcentret, Intensiv Terapi Klinik 4131, København Ø. kurt.espersen@rh.hosp.dk
Freundlich
Morten
M
Jensen
Tom Hartvig
TH
D000776:Anesthesiology / Q000592:standards; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003422:Critical Care / Q000592:standards; D016638:Critical Illness / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000592:standards; D010348:Patient Care Team; D000078329:Workforce