Trauma/Burn ICU
What is a trauma/burn ICU?
A trauma/burn intensive care unit (ICU) is a healthcare facility that provides advanced care for patients who are critically ill due to severe burns or traumatic injuries.
A traumatic injury is sudden and severe, requiring urgent medical attention. Examples of traumatic injuries are severe burns, smoke inhalations, falls, motor vehicle accidents, shootings, and assaults. Patients who have had traumatic injuries or burns may be in a state of shock and need urgent interventions to resuscitate them and save their lives and their limbs.
These patients are usually referred to the trauma/burn intensive care unit from the operating room, emergency room, or other hospital floors. At the trauma/burn intensive care unit, patients are closely observed, receive medications to manage their discomfort, and are monitored with a wide range of equipment and diagnostic tests. They may also receive occupational and physical therapy. Patients remain in the trauma/burn ICU until their condition no longer requires round-the-clock intensive care.
Why is a trauma/burn ICU important in healthcare?
Trauma/burn ICUs are important in healthcare because they are a critical part of the care for the large number of patients who have severe and life-threatening injuries every year.
Traumatic injuries are the 5th leading cause of death in the United States and cause 47% of the deaths of people between the ages of 1 and 44.
Every year, they cause over 3 million non-fatal injuries and over 150,000 deaths in the United States.