An intensive care unit (ICU), also known as an intensive therapy unit or intensive treatment unit (ITU) or critical care unit (CCU), is a special department of a hospital or health care facility that provides intensive care medicine.
Intensive care units cater to patients with severe or life-threatening illnesses and injuries, which require constant care, close supervision from life support equipment, and medication in order to ensure normal bodily functions.
They are staffed by highly trained physicians, nurses, and respiratory therapists who specialize in caring for critically ill patients. ICUs are also distinguished from general hospital wards by a higher staff-to-patient ratio and access to advanced medical resources and equipment that is not routinely available elsewhere. Common conditions that are treated within ICUs include acute respiratory distress syndrome, septic shock, and other life-threatening conditions.
Acronym | Full Form |
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COVID-19 | COrona VIrus Disease 2019 |
ABG | Arterial Blood Gas |
ACS | American Chemical Society |
ADHD | Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder |
AIDS | Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome |
ALS | Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis |
BAMS | Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery |
BCG | Bacillus Calmette Guerin |
BDS | Bachelor of Dental Surgery |
BMD | Bone Mineral Density |
BMI | Body Mass Index |
BMR | Basal Metabolic Rate |
BMT | Bone Marrow Transplant |
WBC | White Blood Cell |
CABG | Coronary Artery Bypass Graft |
CBC | Complete Blood Count |
UTI | Urinary Tract Infection |
TLC | Total Lung Capacity |
TT | Tetanus Toxoid |
CHF | Congestive Heart Failure |
CMO | Chief Medical Officer |
COPD | Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease |
CPR | Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation |
DNA | Deoxyribonucleic Acid |
EBV | Epstein - Barr virus |
ECT | Electroconvulsive Therapy |
ENT | Ear Nose Throat |
FHR | Fetal Heart Rate |
GFR | Glomerular Filtration Rate |
GTT | Glucose Tolerance Test |
HIV | Human Immunodeficiency Virus |
STD | Sexually Transmitted Diseases |
ICU | Intensive Care Unit |
IVF | IN Vitro Fertilization |
MBBS | Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery |
MC | Menstrual Cycle |
MMR | Measles Mumps and Rubella |
MRI | Magnetic Resonance Imaging |
OCD | Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder |
OPD | Outpatient Department |
OSA | Obstructive Sleep Apnea |
PID | Pelvic Inflammatory Disease |
PKD | Polycystic Kidney Disease |
PMS | Premenstrual Syndrome |
PTSD | Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder |
RBC | Red Blood Cell |
RHD | Rheumatic Heart Disease |
RNA | Ribonucleic Acid |
ARDS | Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome |
SGPT | Serum Glutamic Pyruvic Transaminase |
AML | Acute Myeloid Leukemia |
BUN | Blood Urea Nitrogen |
BWC | Biological Weapons Convention |
TNT | Trinitrotoluene |
EEG | Electroencephalogram |
SGOT | Serum Glutonic Oxaloacetic Transaminase |
NTG | Nitroglycerin |
ECG | Electrocardiography |
ACL | Anterior Cruciate Ligament |
ARF | Acute Kidney Failure |
ARDS | Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome |
BP | Blood Pressure |
BPD | |
CABG | Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting |
CT | Chemotherapy |
CVA | Cerebrovascular Accident |
DTR | Deep Tendon Reflexes |
Plt | Platelets |
DM | Diabetes Mellitus |
FX | Fracture |
ICU | Intensive Care Unit |
IBD | Inflammatory Bowel Disease |
JT | Joint |
LBP | Low Back Pain |
MCL | Medial Collateral Ligament |
M/H | Medical History |
N/V | Nausea Or Vomiting |
ORIF | Open Reduction And Internal Fixation |
PT | Physical Therapy |
PUD | Peptic Ulcer Disease |
PTH | Parathyroid Hormone |
RA | Rheumatoid Arthritis |
SOB | Shortness Of Breath |
TAH | Total Abdominal Hysterectomy |
THR | Total Hip Replacement |
URI | Upper Respiratory Infection |
XRT | Radiotherapy |