Center makes rules for admission in ICU, measures taken to better use of limited resources

For the first time in the country, the Central Government has issued guidelines for hospitals to make decisions based on the needs of the patient for treatment under the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). 

Most developed countries have protocols in place for testing patients so that resources can be used judiciously. 

These guidelines regarding ICU admission have been prepared by a panel of 24 top doctors specializing in critical care medicine. The panel has made a list of medical conditions under which the patient needs to be kept in the ICU.

These include things like the patient’s changing level of consciousness or if the patient needs help breathing. ICU care has also been recommended in cases of severe illness for any patient requiring intensive monitoring.

According to a report, it has also been recommended to be admitted to the ICU in cases where the condition worsens after surgery and in people with major surgery complications.

Along with this, it has been recommended to keep out of this list those patients who do not have any special need for it or there is no significant scope for improvement in their condition. One of the experts involved in making these guidelines said that ICU is a limited resource. The purpose of these recommendations is to ensure its judicious use. So that those who need it most get it on priority.

It is noteworthy that there are only about 1 lakh ICU beds in India. Most of which are in private facilities and located in big cities. Poor people who cannot afford private hospitals have to struggle to get ICU beds.

These guidelines are not binding and are for guidance only. The criteria for ICU admission and discharge are broad in nature and are largely left to the discretion of the treating doctor.