‘Nobody goes to the ICU, and call it a picnic’

By Nitz Arancon

WHEN someone gets admitted to a hospital’s intensive care unit (ICU), it is no laughing matter, and it is not something that should be taken lightly, medical professionals said yesterday.

Referred to in other countries as an intensive treatment unit or critical care unit, the ICU is where critically ill patients are admitted and how they are distinguished from normal hospital wards.

Julieto Pol, head nurse of the surgical intensive care unit of the Northern Mindanao Medical Center, told the Gold Star Daily that in an ICU, they closely monitor critically ill patients.

“Bisan in danger ang kahimtang sa usa ka pasyente nga naa sa ICU, amo kanang maeverse ngadto sa maayong condition pinaagi sa among close monitoring gamit ang mga medical equipment,” Pol said.

She added that monitoring of an ICU patient is round the clock. The patient’s heartbeat, blood pressure, breathing, and other vital organs are monitored closely.

“Kana nga mga machine (ventilator) 24 oras kana nga nakata-od sa lawas sa pasyente nga na-a sa ICU,” said Pol. “Magpuli-puli every eight hours ang doctor ug nurse nga mag-duty diha sa ICU sulod sa 24 hours aron pirmi gyud ma-monitor ang condition sa pasyente,” Pol added.

Pol also said they do not allow visitors in the ICU because this is the most sterile part of the hospital. She said ICU personnel cannot expose patients to the risk of contaminants or germs.

Also a registered nurse in the US, dentist and ex-councilor Celestino Ocio III weighed in on the downplaying of ex-mayor Vicente Emano’s hospital confinement by his partymates.

“Nobody goes to the ICU, and call it a picnic,” Ocio posted on his Facebook wall in reaction to the Gold Star Daily report “For Emano’s allies, ICU means ‘normal’” yesterday.

Ocio said that Hypoglycemia, if unrecognized and untreated “can lead to coma and permanent brain damage.” Emano’s partymates earlier volunteered the information that their leader suffered from Hypoglycemia.

Ocio said people should be happy if Emano’s condition is now stable.  “We wish him well. However, (anyone) who would declare it (ICU) normal… is absolutely incompetent and mentally dishonest,” Ocio stated. (nitz arancon)