Unités de surveillance continue : enjeux et fonctionnement

Intermediate care unit are meant to take care of patients prone to develop one or several acute organ failures making it too risky a direct admission in medical or surgical care units. Patients are admitted in intermediate care units on discharge of recovery room or intensive care unit. They markedly change the management of patients in compromised condition. Duration of stay in intermediate care unit is commonly limited to a couple of days. Availability of medical equipments and health care providers allows to apply preventive care protocols aiming at reducing postoperative morbidity and mortality.