The critically ill patient: making the referral to intensive care

Intensive care units are responsible for looking after patients with reversible life-threatening conditions, who need frequent and often invasive monitoring as well as support from mechanized equipment and pharmacological therapies to maintain normal body function and physiological parameters. A previous article highlighted how to recognize and stabilize the sick patient (Elnour and Shankar-Hari, 2011). Some patients may continue to deteriorate despite appropriate and prompt intervention. This article outlines the criteria for advanced life support interventions and hence admission to critical care. The focus of discussion will be patients in need of level 2 to 3 care requiring priority 1 to 2 admissions.