title: [Capacity problems in Danish intensive care units?].
abstract: There are documented capacity problems in Danish ICUs. The indications for intensive care have increased in the last decade without any increase in the number of ICU beds. The result is massive pressure on many ICUs and many negative consequences in relation to healthcare, healthcare economics and patient comfort. Possible solutions: 1) an increase in the number of ICU beds, 2) re-organization of Danish ICUs into larger units and 3) creation of "step-down"-units. Intensive care is a costly area in the healthcare system, where there must be distinct guidelines for visitation and use of expensive medicine and advanced technology.
authors.affiliation: Rigshospitalet, Abdominalcentret, Intensiv Terapi Klinik 4131, København Ø. kurt.espersen@rh.hosp.dk
authors.forename: Kurt
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Espersen
authors.forename: Kristian
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Antonsen
authors.forename: Henning
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Joensen
mesh_terms: D003422:Critical Care / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003718:Denmark; D005060:Europe; D006742:Hospital Bed Capacity / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006757:Hospital Units / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014481:United States