There is often a shortfall of critical care facilities which can result in a number of patients who need management in intensive care units (ICUs) being treated in a recovery unit prior to being found an ICU bed. This article describes a study which examined this situation. The patients’ origins, durations of stay in recovery, outcomes and final destinations are discussed. The authors conclude that recovery provides a hidden resource to supplement the lack of intensive care beds and suggest ways that the problem might be addressed.
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