Supreme Court Endorses Minimum ICU Standards for Hospitals

Key facts

• The Supreme Court (SC) endorsed minimum standards for intensive care units (ICUs) specifying infrastructure, equipment, and staffing requirements.
• A bench of Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and R Mahadevan directed states and Union Territories to submit action plans by May 18.
• The norms were framed by a three-member committee comprising All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) doctor Nitish Naik, Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, and advocate Karan Bharioke.
• The standards are detailed in a report titled Guidelines for the Organisation and Delivery of Intensive Care Services.
• ICUs are classified into three levels: Level 1 for basic stabilisation and single organ care, Level 2 for continuous monitoring and multiple organ care, and Level 3 for advanced care and multi organ care.
• Nurse to patient ratios are mandated between 1:2 and 1:3, and 1:1 for ventilated or critically ill patients.
• Essential equipment requirements include monitors, ventilators, defibrillators, crash carts, infusion and syringe pumps, glucometers, and ECG machines.
• For rural and remote areas, the guidelines suggest interim staffing norms and the use of e-ICU or tele-ICU support to link smaller units with larger centres.