[A survey of present situation of general intensive care unit in second grade hospitals and construction of intensive care network in Guangdong province].

OBJECTIVE:To investigate the present situation of general intensive care unit (ICU) in second grade hospitals, and to establish intensive care network for the Department of Public Health of Guangdong province in Guangdong province. METHODS:Data from ICU of 26 hospitals in Guangdong were collected through questionnaire concerning different aspects of critical care medicine. RESULTS:(1) ICU size was (10.12+/-3.82) beds per unit, ratios of doctors to beds and nurses to beds were 0.73+/-0.25 and 1.80+/-0.57 respectively, and proportions of closed model or semi-closed model of ICU management were 69.2% and 26.9% respectively. (2) Area occupied by per bed was (17.57+/-7.58) m2, ratio of basins with infrared control facet to beds was 0.47+/-0.33, proportions of ICU equipped with room equipped with positive or negative air pressure, laminar flow, or with room for preparing nutrition support were 15.4%, 30.8%, and 23.1% respectively. (3) All the ICU were capable of institution and management of artificial airway, mechanical ventilation, placement of deep vein line, cardioversion and defibrillation, parenteral nutrition, and sedation. Ninety-six point two percent of the ICU could accomplish trachea intubation independently. Fifty-three point eight percent of the ICU could perform hemodynamic monitoring. Continuous blood purification could be done in 73.1 % of the ICU. (4) Ninety-six point two percent of the ICU were equipped with continuous bedside multifunctional electrocardiogram monitor and ratio of the monitors to beds was 0.89+/-0.29. Ratios of resuscitation air bags to beds and ventilators to beds were 0.71+/-0.34 and 0.71+/-0.24 respectively. Portable ventilator was equipped in 34.6 % of the ICU. Forty percent of the ICU could not perform non-invasive ventilation, 65.4 % of the ICU were equipped with fiberoptic bronchoscope, blood gas analysis could be done during 24 hours round in 92.3 % of the ICU. (5) Twenty-six ICU investigated were found to be distributed over the district of Zhujiang delta, and east, north and west regions of Guangdong, forming the base of intensive care network in Guangdong province. CONCLUSION:Most of the general ICU in second grade hospitals in Guangdong province have fulfilled the main requirement for ICU in accordance with the guidelines for construction of ICU in Guangdong province and of guidelines for construction and management of ICU in China. The average level of the ICU is close to level II. It is possible for the intensive care network to integrate, the present resources effectively and then enhance the level of treatment of critical illness in the said district.