This document discusses ICU admission and discharge. It describes the admission criteria and guidelines that many institutions use, which consider factors like availability of beds and equipment, severity of illness, and quality of life. Sources of admission include the emergency department, transfers from other units, and post-procedure recovery. The admission process involves informing staff, preparing the bedside area, settling the patient, documenting, and developing a care plan between the physician and nursing team. Guidelines and roles are described to help ensure appropriate and safe admission and care of critically ill patients in the ICU.

1. ICU ADMISSION AND DISCHARGE
Gradian Health Systems
Basic Principles of Critical Care
BASIC PRINCIPLES OF CRITICAL CARE

2. Disclaimer
Basic Principles of Critical Care Training I ICU Admission and Discharge
Disclaimer: Gradian Health Systems cannot provide formal recommendations or indications
regarding medical care and clinical service delivery. The tables, checklists, and other clinical
documents referenced in this training have not been validated in all settings. These documents are
intended to serve as examples only. We recognize that all clinical training content and activities
must be customized to meet the needs of each facility and its clinical staff, factoring in available
resources, practitioner skill level, and other environmental considerations.
For any questions regarding the contents or applications of this training,
please contact Gradian Health Systems:
40 W 25th St, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10010 USA
+1 212-537-0340
training@gradianhealth.org

3. Module 1
Gradian Health Systems
Basics Principles of Critical Care
Basic Principles of Critical Care

4. Module 1: Basic Principles of Critical Care
MODULE OVERVIEW
Lesson 1 I Introduction to ICUs
Lesson 2 I Pain Management and Sedation
Lesson 3 I ICU Admission and Discharge
Lesson 4 I Infection Prevention and Control
Lesson 5 I Total Nursing Care
Basic Principles of Critical Care Training I ICU Admission and Discharge

5. Components of the Gradian CCV SystemLesson 3: ICU Admission and Discharge
Lesson Objectives
• Describe admission criteria for the CCU/ICU
• Understand the role of the nurse in the admission process for the CCU/ICU
Basic Principles of Critical Care Training I ICU Admission and Discharge

6. Components of the Gradian CCV SystemLesson 3: ICU Admission and Discharge
Key Concepts
• Admission guidelines
• Roles and responsibilities
Basic Principles of Critical Care Training I ICU Admission and Discharge

7. Components of the Gradian CCV SystemICU Admission and Discharge
Admission and Discharge Guidelines
Several institutions have set guidelines for admission and discharge of patient to
the ICU. Admission should be for patient who would benefit from ICU
management.
Admission Considerations:
• Availability of space
• Availability of necessary equipment
• Systems damaged and intensity / condition severity
• Quality of life
• Occasionally on political, social, and economic grounds
Basic Principles of Critical Care Training I ICU Admission and Discharge

8. Components of the Gradian CCV SystemICU Admission and Discharge
Sources of ICU Admissions
• Accident and emergency
• Transfer in
• Wards
• Theater
• Catheterization lab
Basic Principles of Critical Care Training I ICU Admission and Discharge

9. Components of the Gradian CCV SystemICU Admission and Discharge
Admission Procedures
• Decision is made to admit the patient
• ICU nurse-in-charge and primary nurse are informed
• Patient particulars are obtained (diagnosis, age, gender, level of
consciousness, whether to intubate, etc.)
• Preparation of bedside and bedside equipment (suction apparatus, ECG
monitor, leads and electrodes, ICU charts, green bag with Ambu bag, airway,
catheter mount, and bacterial filter)
• When patient is admitted to the unit – admission is teamwork – but the
primary nurse does a quick assessment in case the patient requires
immediate resuscitation
Basic Principles of Critical Care Training I ICU Admission and Discharge

10. Components of the Gradian CCV SystemICU Admission and Discharge
Admission Procedures
• Patient is settled into bed, report is taken, and proper examination is
performed
• All necessary documentation is completed, and charts are updated, including
entering patient’s name into admission book
• Examination is performed by ICU physician, intensive care plan is developed
• Primary nurse admits patient into ICU admission book
• ICU physician / intensivist manages patient in consultation with the team
Basic Principles of Critical Care Training I ICU Admission and Discharge