Medical and engineering support and needs in neurological intensive care units

Neurological intensive care units, often in which 50% of patients die, and 50% of those surviving become incapacitated and/or require extensive rehabilitation, represent one of, if not the most demanding, both medically and technologically, areas of health care delivery. In general, the Neuro ICUs focus on brain and spinal cord injuries requiring monitoring of vital signs and neurological function indicators. In many cases, attending personnel face the limits of care which can be provided [1-3]. Further, the fact that a lack or a delay in a medical intervention, which is highly linked to specialized technological support, may lead to permanent brain damage or other long lasting neurological disorders makes it clinically highly critical. Specifically, the paper encompasses a review and assessment of specific clinical cases as well as a status and needs for expanded engineering support focused on neurological diagnosis and monitoring. ©2009 IEEE.