[Special attention intensive care in the Netherlands once again]

The organizational structure of intensive care departments is still under debate. 'Open' (without) or 'closed format' (with intensivists), that is the question. However, various studies establish that the presence of full-time intensivists reduces mortality rates in intensive care units substantially. Currently, only a minority of Dutch hospitals have properly staffed intensive care units, despite clear guidelines. It is estimated that yearly 250 to 600 lives could be saved. While the capacity of training intensivists in the Netherlands has recently been increased enormously, only a faction of young intensivists will under the circumstances be able to find jobs. More jobs should be created, for the sake of patients and young doctors as well.