ICU Equipment

Airway
Arterial Line
Bedside Monitor
Bi-Level Positive Air Pressure (BIPAP) Machine
Biohazard Disposal Box
Blood Pressure Device (Sphygmomanometer)
Blood Pressure Monitor
Blood Warmer
Breathing Bag (Manual Resuscitator)
Breathing Machine (Mechanical Ventilator)
Breathing Machine Tubing
Breathing Tube (Endotracheal Tube)
Bronchoscope
Call Button
Capnography Monitor
Central Venous Line or Catheter
Chest Drainage Device
Chest Tube
Code Button
Colonoscope
Compression Stockings
Continuous Positive Air Pressure Machine (CPAP)
Defibrillator
Dialysis Catheter
Dialysis Machine
ECG Pad or EKG Pad
EEG Pad
Electrocardiograph (ECG or EKC) Machine
Electroencephalograph (EEG) Machine
Endoscope
Feeding Tube
Gastroscope
Gastrostomy Tube (G Tube) (Stomach tube)
Intra-aortic Balloon Pump (IABP)
Intracranial Pressure Monitor (ICP)
Intravenous (IV) Infusion Pump
Intravenous (IV) Line or Catheter
Isolation Care Cart
Liquid Tube Feeding Pump
Nasogastric (NG) Tube
Pressure Bag (Pressure Pump)
Pulmonary Artery Catheter
Pulse Oximeter
Resuscitation Cart (Crash Cart)
Soft Restraints
Stethoscope
Suction Canister
Suction Catheter
Tracheostomy Tube
Urinary Catheter (Foley Catheter)
Urinary Drainage Collector
Wound Drain

Airway
What is an airway?
An airway is a device that helps keep the mouth and windpipe open so that air can reach
the lungs. It may also be used to help prevent biting down on the tongue or breathing
tube. (Note: Airway is also used to describe the normal passageway for air into and out of
the body during breathing, from the mouth and/or nose to the lungs.)

Arterial Line
Why does a patient need an arterial line?
Critically ill or injured patients frequently have profound abnormalities in their blood
pressure. The arterial line provides a way to constantly measure a patient's blood pressure
and may be essential to the stabilization of the patient. Arterial lines may be useful in
patients with very high or low blood pressures. The arterial line also provides access for
frequent blood sampling. Blood can be withdrawn from the patient through the arterial
line tubing without having to use a needle for each blood draw.

Bedside Monitor
What is a bedside monitor?
A bedside monitor is a display of major body functions on a device that looks like a
television screen or computer monitor. The number of body functions the monitor
measures is up to the doctor and nurse.
The monitor is attached to wires, called leads. At the other end, the leads are attached to
sensing devices attached to the patient's body. The sensing device sends electronic signals
to the monitor, which displays the readings for the specific body function being
monitored.

Bi-Level Positive Air Pressure (BIPAP) Machine

What is a BIPAP Machine?
The BIPAP machine is a specific type of breathing machine that helps the patient breathe.
It is a small, bedside respiratory machine connected to tubing and a facemask worn by the
patient. The BIPAP machine does two things - it helps push air into the lungs and helps
hold the lungs open to allow more oxygen to enter the lungs. Each time the patient
breathes, the BIPAP machine assists the patient by applying air pressure to the lungs
while the patient is breathing out (exhaling or expiration) in order to hold open the air
sacs in the lungs.

Biohazard Disposal Box

What is a biohazard disposal box?
Every patient room in the hospital contains a biohazard disposal box. The purpose of the
box is to provide a receptacle for disposable needles or sharp instruments that have been
used on patients. This practice decreases the risk of exposing patients, families, and
medical staff to disease that may be spread by contacting blood. Hospital staff and
personnel are trained to limit everyone's potential exposure to dangerous materials such
as blood and germs.
Blood Pressure Device (Sphygmomanometer)
What is a sphygmomanometer?
A sphygmomanometer is a method for measuring blood pressure. It is normally
used by wrapping a tube around the arm and then filling the tube with air
pressure. This temporarily stops blood flow. When the air pressure is released,
blood flow returns and the pressure of the blood flow can be measured.

Blood Pressure Monitor

What is a blood pressure monitor?
A blood pressure monitor displays blood pressure measured from a catheter inserted into
an artery. The picture to the right shows an arterial catheter inserted into the radial artery
in the wrist. The catheter sends the blood pressure wave back to a bedside monitor, where
it is continuously displayed. The blood pressure monitor is one of the most accurate
methods for measuring blood pressure. Since the blood pressure monitor requires a
catheter in an artery, the nurse may need to help the patient keep the artery still by
placing a support (like a board under the wrist) or the use of soft restraints.

Blood Warmer
What is a blood warmer?
A blood warmer increases the temperature of blood being transfused into a patient

Breathing Bag (Manual Resuscitator)

What is a breathing bag (manual resuscitator)?
A breathing bag is a device used to temporarily help a patient breathe. When a patient
needs help breathing, a respiratory therapist, doctor or nurse places the breathing bag face
mask over the patient's mouth and nose. The breathing bag is connected to an oxygen
source. The bag is then squeezed and oxygen is pushed into the patient's lungs. If the
patient has a breathing tube in place, the breathing bag may be directly connected to the
breathing tube.

Breathing Machine (Mechanical Ventilator)

What is a breathing machine (mechanical ventilator)?
A breathing machine helps the patient breathe. It is designed to help patients who cannot
breathe adequately on their own. The breathing machine does not fix any problems of the
lungs. It is a device that simply pushes air and oxygen into the lungs and withdraws
carbon dioxide from the lungs. The lungs must function in order for the breathing
machine to be effective.

Breathing Machine Tubing

What is breathing machine tubing?
Breathing machine tubing is the tubing that connects the breathing machine to the
patient's endotracheal or tracheostomy tube. Each breath that the patient takes is passed
through this tubing. The breathing machine tubing may have several extra pieces
connected to it. For instance, a tube for measuring the pressure in the breathing system
may be seen attached to the breathing machine tubing. A humidifier and air warmer may
also be seen attached to this tubing.

Breathing Tube (Endotracheal Tube)

What is a breathing (endotracheal) tube?
A breathing tube is a plastic tube used during artificial respiration, a procedure to
assist a patient in breathing. One end of the breathing (endotracheal) tube is
placed into the windpipe (trachea) through the mouth or nose. The other end of
the tube is connected to a breathing machine (mechanical ventilator) or breathing
bag (manual resuscitator). The breathing tube provides an airway so that air and
oxygen from the breathing machine or breathing bag can be provided to the
lungs.

Bronchoscope
What is a bronchoscope?
A bronchoscope an instrument used during bronchoscopy. It is a flexible tube with an eye
piece or video screen. The instrument allows the doctor to see the inside of the windpipe
(trachea)and smaller air passageways of the lungs. This procedure may be done at the
patient's bedside, in the respiratory laboratory, or in the operating room. The patient
receives sedation and pain medication prior to the procedure and rarely recalls the
procedure itself. The doctor inserts the bronchoscope through the mouth or nose and into
the windpipe (trachea) and smaller air passageways of the lungs. If a patient has a
breathing tube in place, the bronchoscope can be inserted through the breathing tube.
With the use of the bronchoscope, the doctor can assess a blockage of an air passageway,
infection or injury. Frequently, lung secretions or small pieces of tissue from the trachea
or lung are obtained (biopsy) and sent to the laboratory to help diagnose the patient's
respiratory condition.

Call Button
When should it be used?
The call button should be used whenever the patient or family feels that they need the
nurse.

Capnography Monitor
What is a capnography monitor?
A capnography monitor is a device that measures carbon dioxide. The capnography
monitor is attached to tubing near the end of the breathing or tracheostomy tube. Carbon
dioxide measurement is an important part of monitoring lung function. The carbon
dioxide values from the capnography monitor are often displayed on the bedside monitor.

Central Venous Line or Catheter

What is a central venous catheter?
A central venous catheter is a special IV line that is inserted into a large vein in the body.
Several veins are used for central venous catheters including those located in the shoulder
(subclavian vein), neck (jugular vein), and groin (femoral vein). In some patients, a
central venous catheter may be inserted into the elbow vein (anticubital vein) and
advanced into the subclavian vein. These special IVs are used when the patient either
does not have adequate veins in the arms or needs special medications and/or nutrition
that cannot be given through the smaller arm veins.

Chest Drainage Device

What is a chest drainage device?
The chest drainage device includes a chest tube and a chest drainage unit. A chest tube is
placed to remove air or fluid from around a patient's lung. The chest drainage unit is
attached to the chest tube by elastic tubing that allows the air or fluid to drain. The chest
drainage unit may be seen attached to the patient's bed or resting on the floor next to the
patient's bed. Fluid draining from the chest will be seen in the chest drainage unit. Some
chest drainage units have a chamber that bubbles constantly.

Chest Tube
What is a chest tube?
A chest tube is a hollow tube placed between the lung and the chest wall (pleural
space). The chest tube provides a way to drain air, blood or other fluids that may
have accumulated in the pleural space. The pleural space normally has a small
amount of fluid within it.

Code Button
What is a code button?
A code button is usually found in each ICU room. The ICU staff pushes this button for
emergencies such as a cardiopulmonary arrest. Emergencies within the hospital are often
referred to as "codes".

Colonoscope
What is a colonoscope?
A colonoscope is an instrument used for performing colonoscopy. It is a flexible tube
with an eye piece or video screen. The instrument allows the doctor to see the inside of
the large intestine (colon). This procedure may be done at the patient's bedside, in the
gastrointestinal (GI) laboratory, or in the operating room. The pateint receives sedation
and pain medication prior to the procedure and rarely recalls the procedure itself. The
doctor inserts the colonoscope through the anus and rectum into the colon. With use of
the colonoscope, the doctor can assess a colon blockage, infection or injury, including
injury to the colon from a lack of blood flow (ischemia) or other diseases. Frequently,
small pieces of tissue from the colon are obtained (biopsy) and sent to the laboratory to
help diagnose the patient's condition.

Compression Stockings
What are compression stockings?
Compression stockings are plastic wraps that are placed around a patient's legs in order to
decrease the chance of blood clot formation. They have compartments that inflate and
deflate, gently squeezing the muscles of the legs. The stockings are connected to a small
compressor that controls the timing of the inflation/deflation cycles. The squeezing action
of the compression stockings improves the circulation in the leg veins, thus decresing the
chance of clot formation. Most ICU patients have an increased risk of blood clot
formation and compression stockings are one of the measures used to decrease this risk.
Unfortunately, no measure is 100% effective at preventing the formation of blood clots in
the leg veins of ICU patients.

Continuous Positive Air Pressure Machine (CPAP)

What is a CPAP machine?
CPAP is a type of breathing machine that is designed to help oxygen enter the lungs.
CPAP does not breathe for the patient. CPAP does help hold the lungs open to allow
more oxygen to enter the lungs. The CPAP machine is connected to tubing and a
facemask worn by the patient.

ICU Medical Conditions

What is a defibrillator?
A defibrillator is a device that is designed to pass electrical current through a patient’s
heart. The passing of electrical current through the heart is called defibrillation. A
defibrillation is done through pads placed on the patient’s chest

Dialysis Catheter
What is a dialysis catheter?
A dialysis catheter is a specialized type of central venous catheter used for
dialysis.

Dialysis Machine
What is a dialysis machine?
A dialysis machine is a machine that cleans the blood of toxins when the kidneys are not
working. The patient's blood enters the dialysis machine and goes through a special filter
that works like the kidney to remove fluid and toxins from the blood. The use of the
dialysis machine is termed hemodialysis. A patient undergoing hemodialysis must be
connected to the hemodialysis machine by tubing that allows blood to flow to and from
the dialysis machine. The tubing is connected to the patient by way of a dialysis shunt or
catheter.

ECG Pad or EKG Pad

What is an ECG pad or EKG pad?
An ECG pad is a small device that is placed on the body to detect the electrical
activity of the heart. They are placed on the body and connected to wires (leads)
that lead into an ECG machine (electrocardiograph), which displays the
information on a bedside monitor and/or prints it.

EEG Pad
What is an EEG pad?
An EEG (electroencephalogram) pad is a sensor placed within a pad that sticks to the
head. The pad is placed on the head to send signals measuring brain activity to a monitor,
on which the readings are displayed. The pad does not hurt.

Electrocardiograph (ECG or EKC) Machine

What is an electrocardiograph (ECG)machine?
An electrocardiograph machine is a device that measures and records electrical activity in
the heart by the use of ECG pads placed on the chest and connected to wires, call leads.
The leads are connected to a bedside monitor where the information is displayed. ECGs
are usually measured in at least one view (i.e., one line on the monitor). Many doctors
and nurses want more than one view, often as many as twelve views, also called leads. To
measure these different views, ECG pads are placed on several parts of the body. The
nurse determines where to place these pads based on the view of the heart that is desired.

Electroencephalograph (EEG) Machine

What is an electroencephalograph (EEG) machine?
An EEG machine is a device that measures the electrical activity in the brain. The
electrical signals that come from the brain can help the doctor identify what is wrong
with the brain. However, the EEG machine only measures electrical activity in the brain.
There is much about brain function that cannot be measured by the EEG. The EEG
machine may either be a separate piece of equipment or available in the bedside monitor.
The EEG machine obtains its measurements through wires, called leads, connected to
sensors (EEG pads) placed on a patient's head.
Endoscope
What is an endoscope?
Critically ill or critically injured patients may have or develop problems with their
swallowing tube (esophagus), stomach, small intestine, large intestine (colon) or lungs.
Doctors use slender flexible tubes with a lighted end to look at these structures. The
instruments are called endoscopes. The endoscope used to look at the stomach is called a
gastroscope and the endoscope used to look at the colon is called a colonoscope. A
bronchoscope, used to view the lungs, is another type of endoscope. The various types of
endoscopes differ slightly in tube diameter and length. All allow the doctor to visually
inspect tissues, sample small portions of tissue to diagnose problems (biopsy) and to treat
some of the diseases that occur in critically ill patients.

Feeding Tube
What is a liquid tube feeding pump?
A liquid tube feeding pump is a specialized pump designed to accurately deliver
liquid tube feeding to a patient

Gastroscope
What is a gastroscope?
A gastroscope is a special kind of endoscope. The gastroscope is a flexible plastic tube
approximately four feet long and one half inch wide. The gastroscope contains optic
fibers with a light source that allow the gastroscope to function like a video camera. The
doctor uses the gastroscope to see the swallowing tube (esophagus), stomach, and part of
the small intestines (duodenum). The gastroscope also has a hollow channel or tunnel
throughout its entire length. The tunnel provides a way for the doctor to give medications
or biopsy the swallowing tube, stomach, or small intestines to diagnose and treat certain
conditions.

Gastrostomy Tube (G Tube) (Stomach tube)

What is a gastrostomy tube?
A gastrostomy tube is a flexible plastic hollow tube placed into the stomach through the
skin overlying the stomach. The purpose of gastrostomy is to provide a way to give
patients food and medications

Intra-aortic Balloon Pumping (IABP)

What is intra-aortic balloon pumping?
Intra-aortic balloon pumping is a temporary emergency measure to help the heart pump
more blood and improve blood flow to the heart.

Intracranial Pressure Monitoring (ICP)

What is intracranial pressure monitoring (ICP)?
ICU patients who have sustained head trauma, brain hemorrhage, brain surgery, or
conditions in which the brain may swell might require intracranial pressure monitoring.
The purpose of ICP monitoring is to continuously measure the pressure surrounding the
brain. If the pressure surrounding the brain gets too high, it can cause decreased blood
flow to the brain and potentially lead to brain damage.

Intravenous (IV) Line or Catheter

What is an intravenous (IV) line or catheter?
Note that the words "line" and "catheter" are often used to mean the same thing by the
medical staff. A catheter is a hollow, flexible tube used to either drain fluid (e.g., urine or
excess fluid) from a body cavity or provide fluid (e.g., blood, drugs, or nutrients) to the
body. Intravenous means "within a vein or veins", so an IV line or catheter is always used
in a vein. An IV line or catheter, which is placed in one of the patient's veins, connects to
IV tubing, which in turn connects to an IV bag containing the blood, fluid, nutrients, or
medication to be supplied. Sometimes doctors and nurses refer to this entire system as an
IV line or catheter, or just as an "IV".

Isolation Care Cart

What is an isolation care cart?
This is a cart that contains the supplies, such as gowns, gloves, etc., needed for entry to
the room of a patient in isolation care. It is usually placed just outside the patient's room.

Feeding Pump
What is a liquid tube feeding pump?
A liquid tube feeding pump is a specialized pump designed to accurately deliver
liquid tube feeding to a patient.

Nasogastric (NG) Tube

What is a nasogastric (NG) tube?
A nasogastric (NG) tube is a flexible plastic tube that goes through the patient's
mouth or nose into the stomach. It is designed to remove stomach contents or
provide a route to give medication or food to a patient who cannot swallow. The
portion of the NG tube outside of the patient may be plugged closed, connected
to a delivery device or connected to a suction device. NG tubes may be inserted
while the patient is in the emergency department, operating room, ICU, or regular
hospital ward.

Pressure Bag (Pressure Pump)

What is a pressure bag or pressure pump?
A pressure bag, also called a pressure pump, is a special bag used with an IV bag. The IV
bag contains fluids (blood, medications or nutrients) and connects via IV tubing to an IV
line in the patient. IV fluids normally drip into the IV line. The pressure pump is used to
help the IV fluids either run faster or continuously flow into the patient.

Pulmonary Artery Catheterization

What is pulmonary artery catheterization?
Pulmonary artery catheterization is a procedure performed to provide information
regarding the patient's blood circulation, specifically, the pressure and amount of fluid or
blood in the circulation and an assessment of the pumping action of the heart.

Pulse Oximetry
What is pulse oximetry?
Pulse oximetry is the study of arterial oxygen saturation, the amount of oxygen dissolved
in the blood. A pulse oximeter is the device that measures and displays the oxygen
arterial saturation.

Resuscitation Cart (Crash Cart)

What is a resuscitation (crash) cart?
The resuscitation cart contains all of the equipment and medications needed for advanced
life support and CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation).

Soft Restraints
What are soft restraints?
Soft restraints are devices made of material that are designed to safely fit around the
wrists, ankles, or chest of a patient. These devices prevent excessive movement of the
patient's body part to which they are attached.

Stethoscope
What is a stethoscope?
A stethoscope is a device used to listen to different parts of the body. The most common
body parts examined with a stethoscope are the lungs, heart, and abdomen (stomach). The
stethoscope allows the medical staff to hear sounds within the body that are important for
diagnosis and care of the patient. Often the stethoscope is used for repeated examinations
to follow a patient's condition. Although a simple device, the stethoscope provides
doctors and nurses with valuable information.

Suction Canister
What is a suction canister?
A suction canister is a temporary storage container for secretions or fluids removed from
the body. These fluids or secretions may come from the patient’s lungs, stomach or
wounds. The suction canister may be seen attached to the wall of the patient’s room or
resting on the floor next to the patient’s bed.

Tracheostomy (Tracheotomy)
What is a tracheostomy tube?
A tracheostomy tube is a small tube designed to be directly placed into a patient's
windpipe through the neck. The surgical procedure of inserting a tracheostomy tube into
a patient's windpipe is called a tracheotomy

Urinary Catheter (Foley Catheter)

What is a urinary catheter (Foley catheter)?
A urinary or Foley catheter is a soft tube that is placed into the urinary bladder to
drain urine. The catheter is inserted into the urethra, the tube in the body that
leads from the urinary bladder to outside of the body. The Foley catheter is
connected to a urinary drainage bag.

Urinary Drainage Collector

What is a urinary drainage collector?
A urinary drainage collector is a plastic bag that is attached to the urinary
catheter and collects the urine. Typically the urinary drainage collector will be
seen hanging from the side of the bed. Most urinary drainage collectors have
numbers marking the side of the collector that allows the ICU staff to make
accurate measurements.

Wound Drain
What is a wound drain?
A wound drain is typically a plastic tube that provides a way for unnecessary body fluids
or air to flow out of the body from a wound. After surgery, some patients require wound
drains. The wound drain is inserted while the patient is in the operating room receiving
general anesthesia. The purpose of the drain is to remove fluid and/or blood from the area
of surgery. This helps the healing process. Not all patients need wound drains following
surgery. One end of the wound drain is placed within the wound and the other end may
be connected to a suction collection device. The fluid may be collected in a drainage bag,
plastic bulb, plastic carton, or onto a dressing.

Oxygen Supply
Oxygen is supplied to the patients in the hospital in two forms, in portable tanks and in
the main hospital oxygen tank. Portable tanks are used to supply oxygen to patients when
they move around the hospital for tests, therapy or simply walking. The main hospital
oxygen tank is connected to the hospital rooms through pipes. The oxygen connector may
be seen coming out of the wall of a patient's room. The hospital staff will place a special
adapter into the connector that is used to regulate the amount of oxygen that can be
.delivered to a patient
.