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Introduction - Intensive Care: Where Are We?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 October 2009

Bernard S. Bloom
Affiliation:
University of Pennsylvania
Dag Lundberg
Affiliation:
University of Lund

Extract

If intensive care is defined as close observation of critically ill persons, then its use is ancient indeed, going back to the beginning of recorded history. But if intensive care is defined to include all the modern technology, techniques, knowledge, and skilled personnel that closely monitor patients with the intent to intervene when potentially dangerous changes in physiology occur, usually in acute, life-threatening circumstances, then real medical intensive care services are only slightly more than three decades old.

Type
Special Section: Intensive Care: Where Are We?
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1992

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References

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