[The admission and discharge criteria of a unit for critical patients]

Admission and discharge criteria for patients in an intensive care unit are controversial, especially in view of the fact that some patients derive no benefit from intensive care therapy while depriving others from a potential benefit. The general characteristics of patients in need of intensive care are discussed. Irreversibility of the underlying condition, the quality of "terminal patient" and other factors that may contraindicate admission to an intensive care unit are analyzed. Discharge criteria for patients not expected to derive further benefit from a prolonged stay in the unit are outlined.