An Audit of Intensive Care Services in Bangladesh

Abstract

This study was conducted to survey the facilities, bed strength, functional characteristics, manpower,
operational practices and distribution of intensive care units in Bangladesh. Direct interview of
consultants in charge of different Intensive Care Units (ICUs) in the city of Dhaka was conducted by
a structured questionnaire. All Adult Intensive Care Units (ICUs) and Coronary Care Units (CCUs)
with ventilator support in the city of Dhaka belonging to government and private sectors were
included. Our survey showed that 90% of all Intensive Care Units in Bangladesh were located in the
city of Dhaka. There were 40 Intensive Care Units in the city of Dhaka, of which 33 were ICUs and
7 CCUs with ventilator support (also considered as ICU). Only 4 (10%) ICUs were located in
government hospitals. Rest of the ICUs was in private hospitals / clinics. Total number of ICU beds
was 424 and total numbers of beds in these hospitals were 8824. So 4.8% of total hospital beds were
provisioned for critical care. Among these only 240 beds (60%) had ventilator support. 27(68%) of
the 40 ICUs were multidisciplinary, 7(18%) CCUs, 5(12%) cardiac surgery and 1(2%) neurology.
64% ICUs were run by anesthesiologists. 85% facilities were open units as opposed to 15% closed
units. Nurse: bed ratio of 1:1 was seen in 15(42%) facilities. On duty doctor: patient ratio was
variable and highest was 1:4 in 9 ICUs (27 %). ICUs in Bangladesh are mainly situated in the city
of Dhaka and mostly in the private sector. The standards and management strategies vary greatly.

Ibrahim Med. Coll. J. 2010; 4(1): 13-16

Key words: Intensive Care Unit; Bangladesh; audit.

DOI: 10.3329/imcj.v4i1.5929