intensive care unit (ICU)

intensive care unit (ICU), a hospital unit in which patients requiring close monitoring and intensive care are kept. An ICU contains highly technical and sophisticated monitoring devices and equipment and is staffed by personnel trained to deliver critical care. A large tertiary care facility usually has separate units specifically designed for the intensive care of adults, infants, children, or newborns or for other groups of patients requiring a certain kind of treatment. See also coronary care unit.