The Intensive Care Medicine department at Henri Mondor University Hospitals was opened in 1970 by Professor Maurice Rapin, one of the pioneers of medical intensive care. It cares for patients with life-threatening illness or those who need close monitoring. It has 25 intensive care beds, 12 general high-dependency beds, six ventilator-weaning beds and a post-intensive care day clinic.

The ICU admits the most critically ill patients, who may require life-support treatments for respiratory, circulatory, kidney, neurological or multiple-organ failure. The general high-dependency unit provides an intermediate level of care between standard hospital wards and intensive care, for vulnerable patients who are at risk of deterioration or are becoming more stable. The ventilator-weaning unit supports patients who have needed prolonged mechanical ventilation, particularly those with a tracheostomy, helping them gradually return to breathing independently and regain function. Post-intensive care follow-up is designed to assess and support patients with physical, psychological and social effects after their hospital stay.

This provides comprehensive, multidisciplinary care for critically ill patients, from the life-threatening emergency through to regaining independence, with particular attention to reducing long-term effects, supporting families and ensuring continuity and quality throughout the care pathway.

Pr Armand MEKONTSO DESSAP, Chef de service