[Assessment of technology in intensive care medicine]

In recent years intensive care medicine has been accused of becoming a purely technological medicine. Those of this opinion, however, fail to realize that automatic ECG and blood pressure monitoring have improved the safety and validity of vital parameters and have relieved qualified personnel from unnecessary tasks. The controversial discussion of invasive monitoring, particularly the use of pulmonary artery catheters, led to new and improved technology. Infusion technology and artificial ventilation are characteristic examples which demonstrate the essential need for technology in intensive care medicine. The same is true for extracorporeal CO2 elimination, pacemaker technology, haemofiltration, etc. Computer technology will lead to further improvement in safety and patient care, protecting the patient from human and technical errors.