intensive care

care (kār) the services rendered by members of the health professions for the benefit of a patient.

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coronary care  see under unit.

critical care  see intensive care unit, under unit.

intensive care  see under unit.

primary care  the care a patient receives at first contact with the health care system, usually involving coordination of care and continuity over time.

respiratory care 

1. the health care profession providing, under a physician's supervision, diagnostic evaluation, therapy, monitoring, and rehabilitation of patients with cardiopulmonary disorders.

2. respiratory therapy; the diagnostic and therapeutic use of medical gases and their apparatus, and other forms of ventilatory support including cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

secondary care  treatment by specialists to whom a patient has been referred by primary care providers.

tertiary care  treatment given in a health care center that includes highly trained specialists and often advanced technology.

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in·ten·sive care (n-tnsv)

n.

Continuous and closely monitored health care that is provided to critically ill patients.

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intensive care

[inten′siv]

Etymology: L, intensus, tighten, garrire, to chatter

constant complex health care as provided in various acute life-threatening conditions such as multiple trauma, severe burns, or myocardial infarction or after certain kinds of surgery. Care is most frequently given by specially trained personnel in a unit equipped with various technologically sophisticated machines and devices for treating and monitoring the condition of the patient. Also called critical care.

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intensive care,

n the constant, complex, detailed health care as provided in various acute life-threatening conditions, such as multiple trauma, severe burns, and myocardial infarction, and after certain kinds of surgery.