12 Must Have Equipments in ICU
Posted by Yogesh Nadar on
The ICU. Just the name can send shivers down anyone's spine. It's the place where doctors and nurses work tirelessly to save the lives of the sickest and most critically ill patients. But have you ever wondered what equipment is used in this high-pressure environment to keep patients alive? The ICU is home to some seriously impressive technology, from the life-sustaining ventilators to the high-tech monitors that beep and flash with every heartbeat. But unlike the movies, the equipment used in the ICU is not limited to a monitor, mask, and patient bed. There are various vital medical equipment used in ICU. So, let's take a closer look at the must-have equipment in the ICU and how it's used to save lives.
Must-Have ICU Equipment:
The ICU, or Intensive Care Unit, is a crucial part of any hospital where critically ill patients receive life-saving care. The equipment used in the ICU is critical in monitoring and managing patients' vital signs, ensuring their safety, and providing the best possible care.
1. Ventilators
At some point in life, we all have heard the word ventilators. It is one of the most common hospital equipment used in the ICU. Ventilators help patients in breathing. If a patient is unable to breathe on their own, ventilators provide them with oxygen and remove the carbon dioxide from the patient's lungs. Various types of ventilators are available in the market with various advanced features to help patients during their treatment.
2. Patient Monitors
While the patient is getting treated or even diagnosed it’s very important to check the patient's regularly. This is where patient monitors come in. The importance of patient monitoring systems cannot be overstated in today's healthcare industry. These systems allow healthcare professionals to remotely monitor a patient's vital signs, medication intake, heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and other important health metrics in real-time. Patient monitors are a must-have in any ICU setup. These monitors come with various features. Here are a few of the patient monitors for you to check out:
3. Syringe Infusion Pumps
Medication is another crucial part of getting better for a patient. When patients cannot take their medications, doctors advise using infusion pumps. Syringe infusion pumps are used to administer intravenous medications, fluids, and nutrition to patients. These devices are programmed to deliver precise doses of medication and fluids, reducing the risk of medication errors. You can also set timers or intervals as per the patient’s medication routine. ICU patients often require multiple infusions, making infusion pumps essential to the ICU setup.
4. Defibrillators
You must have seen those shock-giving machines used in movies to bring back an almost-dead patient. Those machines are called defibrillators. They are used to deliver an electric shock to the heart to restore its normal rhythm in patients experiencing cardiac arrest. Defibrillator machines are essential for managing patients with life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias in the ICU.
5. Hemodialysis Machines
Hemodialysis machines remove waste and extra fluids from the blood of people suffering from renal failure. These machines filter blood through a specific membrane and return clean blood to the patient's body. Hemodialysis machines are critical for acute kidney injury or end-stage renal disease patients.
6. ECG Machines
ECG machines monitor the heart's electrical activity, like the rhythm and more. The ECG test helps doctors diagnose and treat patients with heart conditions such as arrhythmias, heart attacks, and heart failure. ECG machines are a vital part of the ICU setup equipment and are used frequently to manage critically ill patients. Various types of ECG machines are available in the market, such as the contec ecg machine 3 channel 300g, bpl ecg machine cardiart 6108T single channel, and more. The price of ecg machines can vary according to their features and models. But it’s necessary to understand your requirements before investing in an ecg machine.
7. Ultrasound Machines
Ultrasound machines examine the internal body through high-frequency sound waves. These machines use high-frequency sounds to create an image we often see after routine ultrasound checkups. Ultrasound machines are used for central line placements, thoracentesis, and paracentesis. Ultrasound machines have three basic components: transducer, probe, and processing unit. So, the price of ultrasonic machines depends on how advanced these components are and the device's kind of display. Most patients have to take an ultrasound before any surgery. Therefore, they are essential in managing critically ill patients in the ICU.
8. Patient Beds
Moving patients from room to operation room to ICU is common in hospitals. That is why a good quality patient bed is necessary in ICUs or hospitals. These specialized beds can be adjusted to provide maximum comfort and safety. ICU beds come with side rails, electric controls, and air mattresses to prevent bedsores. So, no need to ask our patient to shift from one bed to another, a good quality patient bed can save the day.
9. Suction Machines
Suction machines remove secretions and other fluids from a patient's airway. These machines are vital in managing patients with respiratory distress and are used to prevent airway obstruction.
10. Glucometers
Diabetic patients or patients receiving food and medication via a feeding tube must measure and maintain their glucose levels. This is where glucometers come in, an essential instrument that helps monitor and maintain patient glucose levels.
11. Feeding Tubes
Feeding tubes provide nutrition to patients who cannot eat or swallow on their own. These tubes are inserted through the nose or directly into the stomach and can be used to provide enteral nutrition or hydration. Feeding tubes are an essential part of the ICU equipment and are often used to manage critically ill patients.
12. Central Venous Catheters
Central venous catheters or central lines administer medications, fluids, and nutrition directly into a patient's bloodstream. CVCs are used when the patient’s veins in the arms are difficult to access. These catheters are inserted into a large vein in the neck, chest, or groin and can remain in place for extended periods to provide certain medications or nutrients. Central venous catheters are essential in managing critically ill patients in the ICU.
Maintenance of Medical Equipment
Maintaining medical equipment is also very necessary. Keeping them clean and ensuring they are working correctly is an important task for healthcare practitioners. There are various ways to reduce medical equipment maintenance costs, such as maintaining inventories, entering long-term contracts, etc.
Equipment used in ICU is not limited to the above-mentioned instruments, but there are various other equipment every hospital must have, including these. These were a few of the important ones that any healthcare provider or supplier should not miss. ICU equipment is crucial in monitoring and managing critically ill patients. Medical facilities need to invest in quality equipment from reputable medical equipment store like TenTabs to ensure that they have the must-have equipment necessary to manage critically ill patients effectively.
Further Read - Must-Have Hospital Furniture in Modern Medical Facilities