An Intensive Care Unit (ICU) provides a level of monitoring, technology, and nursing intensity that cannot be matched on a general ward. ICU patients typically have one nurse for every one or two patients (versus six to eight on a ward), continuous monitoring of vital signs, arterial pressure, heart rhythm, and neurological status, and immediate access to interventions such as mechanical ventilation, renal replacement therapy, and vasopressor support. Apollo Adlux's ICU is staffed exclusively by trained intensivists — doctors whose sole specialisation is critical care — present 24 hours a day.

Our ICU manages the full spectrum of critical illness including: severe sepsis and septic shock; ARDS (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome); cardiogenic shock; post-cardiac arrest care; traumatic brain injury; stroke and neurological emergencies; acute kidney injury requiring dialysis (CRRT/SLED); acute liver failure and ACLF; multi-organ failure; post-operative monitoring for high-risk surgery; and toxicological emergencies.

CRRT (Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy) is a form of dialysis used specifically in critically ill patients with acute kidney injury. Unlike conventional intermittent haemodialysis which runs for 3-4 hours, CRRT runs continuously (24 hours a day) — gently removing waste products, excess fluid, and inflammatory mediators at a slow, steady rate. This makes it far better tolerated by haemodynamically unstable ICU patients. We also offer SLED (Sustained Low-Efficiency Dialysis), a hybrid approach, and Plasma Exchange (PLEX) for immune-mediated and toxicological conditions.

ACLF (Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure) is a serious but potentially reversible condition where a patient with underlying chronic liver disease develops sudden acute deterioration — often triggered by infection, alcohol use, or other stressors. Without specialised care, mortality is high. Apollo Adlux Hospital has dedicated ACLF care pathways with hepatology-intensivist co-management, renal replacement therapy for hepatorenal syndrome, nutritional support, and aggressive infection management. Early referral to an experienced critical care centre significantly improves outcomes.

ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation) is an advanced life-support machine that takes over the function of the heart and/or lungs when they have failed despite maximum conventional treatment. In our ICU, VV-ECMO is used for severe ARDS where the lungs cannot oxygenate despite optimised mechanical ventilation. VA-ECMO is used for cardiogenic shock where the heart cannot maintain adequate circulation. ECPR is ECMO-assisted resuscitation for cardiac arrest. ECMO is a rescue therapy — it buys time for the underlying condition to improve or for definitive treatment (e.g. heart transplant) to be arranged.

Our ICU offers multi-modal neurological monitoring including: Intracranial Pressure (ICP) monitoring for head injury and brain swelling; Continuous EEG for subclinical seizure detection; Jugular Venous Oxygen Saturation (SjVO2) monitoring for cerebral metabolic sufficiency; and Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) for bedside cerebral oxygenation. These tools allow our intensivists to detect deterioration in brain physiology before it manifests clinically, enabling earlier, more effective intervention.

Critical illness is multi-organ — and so is our team. Our intensivists conduct formal daily bedside ward rounds and hold regular multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings involving cardiologists, nephrologists, neurologists, hepatologists, infectious disease specialists, physiotherapists, dietitians, and clinical pharmacists. This coordinated approach ensures every organ system is addressed, medications are optimised, and the patient's recovery pathway is clearly defined and communicated to the family.

Palliative care in the ICU is not about giving up — it is about ensuring that even the most critically ill patients receive expert symptom control, dignity, and respect for their values and wishes. At Apollo Adlux, we integrate palliative care principles from early in every patient's ICU stay. When curative treatment is no longer able to offer benefit, our team transitions to comfort-focused care — managing pain, breathlessness, and anxiety with skill and compassion. Family-centred care and bereavement support are integral parts of our ICU philosophy.

Yes. Apollo Adlux Hospital believes in family-centred ICU care. We have structured family visit hours and regular family conferences with the treating intensivist. Family members are encouraged to participate in care decisions and are provided with clear, honest communication about their loved one's condition. During critical phases, we accommodate additional visits to support both the patient and family.

We follow evidence-based ABCDEF bundle protocols for ICU sedation and analgesia — aiming for light, targeted sedation that minimises delirium, enables early awakening, and supports spontaneous breathing trials. Pain assessment is performed using validated tools for non-verbal patients. Our clinical pharmacist collaborates daily on drug optimisation, minimising the risk of prolonged sedation, ICU-acquired weakness, and delirium — all of which are known to worsen long-term outcomes after critical illness.

Early mobilisation is a cornerstone of modern critical care at Apollo Adlux. Our physiotherapy team begins working with patients from the first day of ICU admission — passive joint movements, respiratory physiotherapy, and progressive early mobilisation where clinically appropriate. Studies consistently show that early ICU physiotherapy reduces the duration of mechanical ventilation, accelerates recovery, and improves quality of life after critical illness. Rehabilitation planning continues into the post-ICU ward phase.