Intensive Care Foundation

The Intensive Care Foundation is a not-for-profit charity that is dedicated to improving the care of critically ill pateints by raising funds for vital clinical research as well as educating health professionals responsible for intenisve care.

The Foundation's overall aim is to improve the number and quality of lives saved in Intensive Care Units wach year.

The critical role of Intensive Care Units

Every day, life-saving miracles are performed in Intensive Care Units across Australia and New Zealand. In any one-year over 143,000

OIn any one-year ver 143,000 people, including over 7,700 children are admitted to Intensive Care Units (ICUs) in Australia and New Zealand ^[1].

Over 86% of adults and 97% of children survive life threatening accidents or illnesses with the help of intensive care each year ^[2].

There are 181 ICUs, 155 Australian and 26 in New Zealand. Of these, Australia has 8 specialised paediatric intensive care units (PICU) and New Zealand has 1 PICU. In addition to these intensive care units, there are a number of high dependency units ^[3].

Everyday Miracle Workers

Working in intensive care is all about saving lives. Every member of an Intensive Care Unit plays their part in performing life saving miracles every day. A typical Intensive Care Unit is made up of a variety of specialist doctors, nurses and researchers working together to provide around-the–clock care to each patient.

By supporting research into treatment and practice, we can ensure these highly skilled and well equipped teams are able to give more patients the best possible chance of recovery.

Who do Intensive Care Teams Treat?

Intensive Care Teams treat critically ill patients with:

Major heart, lung or head problems, such as severe heart attack, pneumonia, asthma or stroke

- Injuries caused by road or industrial accidents, burns, falls or assault
- Major illnesses, such as organ failure or overwhelming infections
- Major or complicated abdominal, chest or head surgery
- Organ transplants – heart, lung, liver or bone marrow

Many babies and children require treatment in Intensive Care Units.

Links

[1]