The Intensive Therapy Unit (ITU) is a dedicated department with specialist doctors, nurses, monitoring, therapies and equipment. The combination of trained staff and resources allows it to look after patients with the greatest medical needs, either in a planned way, for example around the time of your surgery, or as an emergency, should you need it.
The ITU differs from the general ward mainly due to the staff who work there. Patient care is overseen by a specialist doctor trained specifically in critical care medicine enabling monitoring and treatment of the most in-need patients. Every day your critical care doctor will examine and review you, order any necessary investigations, perform any procedures required to improve your condition, coordinate specialists in areas that are relevant to you, ensure your rehabilitation and optimize your medication and pain relief.
Complementing this is a team of dedicated and experienced nurses providing a detailed level of observation and continuous adjustment to therapies and interventions. Should you need it, procedures are undertaken so the team can monitor your vitals continuously and accurately so that the treatment offered can be carefully started, titrated and eventually weaned off as you get better.
The time before, during and after surgery is important to the final outcome and the anaesthetic, surgical and critical care teams all work together to make this as safe and comfortable as possible. Patients undergoing particular operations or those with pre-existing medical problems may benefit from spending time during their initial recovery on our ITU. This will set you on the right track early on, speed up your recovery and may reduce the required length of stay in hospital overall. Your surgical and anaesthetic doctor will discuss this with you if we think it will be of benefit.
We use advanced imaging techniques to rapidly diagnose and monitor your condition, with radiography, CT scanning, MRI scanning and echocardiography.
We work closely together with the wider surgical and medical Consultants in the hospital to ensure that all specialists involved in your care are aligned with your management plan so you get consistent messages from the multi-disciplinary team.
Kuwait Hospital is able to over the same high-complexity services as the public hospital, with the advantage of a more comfortable environment, favorable staffing, time to ensure your comfort and dignity, along with technology and expertise unmatched in the private sector.
Our ITU is the only one in Kuwait to have 24/7 cover by dedicated ITU Consultants and Specialists, who are experienced in managing all aspects of peri-operative and emergency medicine. See below to learn more about the breadth of experience and qualifications of our senior team.
The degree of expertise and capability our ITU service has allows Surgeons and other Doctors at Kuwait Hospital the confidence to offer more complex surgeries and interventions to a wider group of patients.
Our department houses five cubicles, one of which is a specialist isolation room for those with infectious diseases. Each of these rooms has equipment to fully support your physiology and has the latest monitoring and therapeutic technology.
Using the advanced imaging techniques, the team are able to quickly identify and treat your condition avoiding the negative consequences of a delayed response to illness. The Consultants have advanced qualifications in the assessment and management of ITU patients, have worked in international centres of excellence and deliver teaching nationally and internationally.
Our ITU is supported by the hospital’s diverse medical services, so whatever your problem is there is a department or team within the building who can respond quickly to your needs. If more specialist advice is required, the Consultants have established links to the Public Hospitals in Kuwait and internationally respected institutions in the United Kingdom.
For the most unwell patients we have all the facilities for resuscitation and stabilisation including the latest technological support devices. We will discuss all available options with you or your family so that we can offer you the very best care in this circumstance.
We understand that being on the ITU is a worrying time for you and your family and that you will understandably have many questions for us. Our medical and nursing team will keep you and your family fully informed of all results, progress and discussions regarding your healthcare management. You can ask for an update from any member of the team or plan a comprehensive discussion with the Consultant or Consultants involved in your care.
When you get better and are eventually discharged to the ward, we will review you to ensure you are progressing well. Once at home, if required we can arrange a follow up outpatient appointment to ensure that there are no outstanding issues preventing you reaching your optimal well-being and if these are identified, devise a strategy to deal with them.
You are unique and so should your healthcare plan be personalized to your wellbeing. Our board-certified doctors are highly experienced and qualified to guide you on your healthcare journey, from consultation and diagnosis to treatment and recovery.
Get to know your Kuwait Hospital doctor and his/her specialization, credentials, and successful track-record for positive health outcomes.