An intensive care unit (ICU), also known as an intensive therapy unit or intensive treatment unit (ITU) or critical care unit (CCU), is a special department of a hospital or health care facility that provides intensive care medicine.

Intensive care units cater to patients with severe and life-threatening illnesses and injuries, which require constant, close monitoring and support with specialist equipment and medications in order to support ill functions. Mayo Medical Centre ICU staffed by highly trained doctors and nurses who specialize in caring for seriously ill patients.

ICU's are also distinguished from normal hospital wards by a higher staff-to-patient ratio and access to advanced medical resources. Common conditions that are treated within ICU’s include ARDS, trauma, multiple organ failure ,sepsis, MI, poisoning and life threatening infections.

Patients may be transferred directly to an intensive care unit from an emergency department if required, or from a ward if they rapidly deteriorate, or immediately after surgery if the surgery is very invasive and the patient is at high risk of complications.