ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the provision of critical care services in resource limited environments. Within the low- and middle-incomes countries often many critically ill patients do not reach critical care units due to a lack of critical care beds or they simply die before they reach the hospital. When working in a critical care unit in a resource limited environment it is important to understand what is appropriate. The basic requirements for a critical care unit must include adequate human resources, medical equipment, for example ventilators, suction units, and sufficient resources and drugs to provide a comprehensive service to the population at risk. To manage an effective critical care unit, there needs to be an identified medical and nursing lead for the unit. All critical care patients must have access to a registered nurse with a post-registration critical care nursing qualification, with the minimum of one qualified critical care nurse on duty for each shift.
