Equipment you might see in critical care

Here is a brief description of different pieces of equipment you may see on the critical care unit. If there is equipment that is not outlined below or you are unsure about what a piece of equipment does, please speak to the bedside nurse who will be able to explain.

Ventilator (breathing machine)

Supports breathing by getting oxygen into the lungs and removing carbon dioxide from the body when a patient is too unwell or sleepy to do so themselves. Patients will have a tube to allow the ventilator to provide breathing support. This may be placed through the mouth and into the windpipe (endotracheal tube) or placed directly into the windpipe (tracheostomy tube).

As patients get better they may no longer require the ventilator but may still need support with breathing. The team will explain the different types of breathing support provided to patients as these change throughout the patients stay.

Endotracheal tube

This is a tube that provides breathing support from the ventilator to the patient. It is placed through the mouth and into the windpipe.

Tracheostomy tube

This is a tube that provides breathing support from the ventilator to the patient. It is placed directly into the windpipe.

Suction unit

Helps clear secretions from the airway when patients are not able to so themselves.

Bedside monitor

Constantly monitors vital information such as heart rate, heart rhythm, blood pressure and oxygen levels.

Observation chart

Where vital information about our patients is documented such as blood pressure, heart rate, urine output and drug infusions. This may be on paper or computerised.

Pumps

Delivers fluids, medications and feed to our patients.

Alarms

Alarms alert the nurses to changes in our patients’ condition and allow us to make regular adjustments to patients care. It doesn’t necessarily mean something is wrong. The bedside nurse can explain the different alarms and equipment to anyone visiting the unit.

Central line

Placed in one of the large central veins and allows different medications to be given at the same time. This may also be used to deliver nutrition if a patients’ gut is not working properly.

Arterial line

A thin tube placed in an artery. Allows constant monitoring of blood pressure and means blood samples can be taken regularly.

Feeding tubes

The most common type is a nasogastric feeding tube which is placed through the nostril, down the gullet and into the stomach. Another type of feeding tube is a naso-jejunal tube which is placed through the nostril, down the gullet and into the small bowel. If patients require long term artificial food they may have a tube inserted into the abdomen and directly into the stomach (gastrostomy tube) or small bowel (jejunostomy tube).