HIGH DEPENDENCY UNITS IN THE UK - VARIABLE SIZE, VARIABLE CHARACTER, FEW IN NUMBER

An exploratory descriptive survey was conducted to determine the size and character of high dependency units (HDUs) in the UK. A telephone s urvey and subsequent postal questionnaire was sent to the 39 general H DUs in the UK determined by a recent survey from the Royal College of Anaesthetists; replies were received from 28. Most HDUs (82%, n = 23) were geographically distinct from the intensive care unit and varied i n size from three to 13 beds, although only 64% (n = 18) reported that all beds were currently open. Nurse: patient ratios were at least 1:3 . Fifty per cent of units had one or more designated consultants in ch arge, although only 11% (n = 3) had specifically designated consultant sessions. Junior medical cover was provided mainly by the on-call spe ciality team. Twenty units acted as a step-down facility for discharge d intensive care unit patients and 21 offered a step-up facility for p atients from general wards. Provision of facilities and levels of moni toring varied between these units. Few HDUs exist in the UK and they a re variable in size and in the facilities and monitoring procedures wh ich they provide. Future studies are urgently required to determine co st-effectiveness and outcome benefit of this intermediate care facilit y.