Critical care is the term used for medical care that is provided to patients who are suffering from severe illnesses. Patients under critical care receive specialised attention from medical professionals and are treated with comprehensive and constant monitoring. Innovative medical equipment is used to improve patient outcomes when fighting these types of life-threatening conditions. These machines are often classified as critical care products.
The safe functioning of this equipment is vital, as it is used to treat extremely ill and at-risk patients. Even with 24-hour, in-person care by medical professionals, it is important that critical care equipment is reliable and well-sanitised in order to reduce the risk of infection. Clinics and medical professionals that use critical care products are largely accountable for the equipment and so it is important that a regular schedule of repair and maintenance is adhered to.
What is critical care?
The critical care environment involves constant monitoring and assessment of patient health, aiming to maintain organ system function and improve a patient’s condition. Critical care units include features that are designed to check patient vitals and oxygen levels. These systems equip patients with devices to support basic functions they are unable to carry out themselves for example feeding tubes, catheters and dialysis (I think there is a lot more than this …). Data collected from these units including cardiac output measurements, pulse oximetry and blood gases help health professionals make critical decisions for patient care plans.
Types of critical care products
Critical care equipment acts to leverage hospital resources and deliver high quality, efficient patient care. During post-operative situations, critical care also plays an important role in helping to reduce the risk of infection.
There are a range of medical products that are used in a critical care environment, providing valuable patient support:
● Airway management products: endotracheal tubes, and tracheostomy tubes.
● Infusion products: ambulatory infusion, syringe infusion and infusion software.
● Pain management products: Peripheral Intravenous Catheters (PIVC), safety IV catheters and conventional IV catheters.
● Respiratory products: bronchial hygiene equipment, lung expansion, oxygen and medication delivery.
● Sharp safety products: blood draw, hypodermic injections.
● Temperature management products: blood and fluid warming systems and convective warming systems.
Role of critical care equipment
Critical care equipment and products can be used in a range of settings to provide a variety of information and data on patients. Common uses of these products include:
● Diagnostic:
Ultrasound equipment is often used in intensive and critical care scenarios. An ultrasound provides an accurate diagnostic image, which can identify areas of concern including internal bleeding, blockages and other issues.
● Infection Control:
Critical care patients often have weakened immune systems and so are very susceptible to all kinds of infections. Adequate cleaning is vital to protect patients, and critical care equipment can therefore include hospital grade disinfectant and consumables.
● Pain Management:
Anaesthesia plays an important role during treatment and surgery, providing appropriate and much needed pain relief to patients. Anaesthesia delivery equipment falls under the classification of critical care and is a valuable asset to health care professionals in an intensive setting.
● Infusion Therapy:
Infusion therapy provides an alternative to oral administration of medicine and is carried out through a sterile catheter being inserted into the patient’s vein. Critical care product manufacturing companies offer a varied range of IV sets for infusion therapy which can be used during emergencies, surgeries, critical and intensive care units.
Medical Equipment repair and management
It is vital that critical care products function correctly and give accurate readings of patient vitals. Timely check-ups are integral in ensuring that the equipment is up-to-date and functions efficiently. It is highly recommended that those working in healthcare settings adhere to recommended maintenance schedules and use only qualified technicians to perform repair and management tasks.
Critical care is an important sector of the medical industry and requires the use of specialised equipment to ensure the safety and comfort of patients. Companies that manufacture, distribute and repair critical care products provide high-quality equipment, ensuring that medical professionals are able to sufficiently treat all patients, whatever their condition.
