Intermediate respiratory care unit: admission criteria

Intensive care unit (ICU) management of patients on partial ventilatory support is very costly. We opened an intermediate respiratory care unit (RCU), with the aim of providing cost beneficial in-hospital and home care for patients who require mechanical ventilation for at least 8 h.day-1. Prior to admission to an intermediate RCU, it is mandatory to take into consideration not only the patient's overall health status but also his or her prognosis, and rehabilitation chances and environmental factors have to be evaluated.