The multidisciplinary closed Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Larnaca General Hospital is an independent department of the hospital, dedicated to supporting the vital functions of critically ill patients. It provides care to adult critically ill patients, regardless of underlying condition, who present with potentially reversible severe disturbances of vital functions and/or organ systems, and whose survival depends on continuous, intensive and coordinated care delivered by a team of specialised healthcare professionals, including physicians, nurses and physiotherapists. The unit was established in early 2022 and has been operating autonomously as a separate department since August 2022. It is staffed by a team of six specialist intensivist physicians, nurses trained in intensive care nursing, and a physiotherapy team trained in the management of critically ill patients and early rehabilitation. The ICU currently operates six beds, with the short-term goal of expanding to a total of ten beds in an upgraded and modernised facility.
The unit admits polytrauma patients, patients with multiple organ failure, acute respiratory failure, circulatory shock, acute pancreatitis, stroke, neurological diseases, sepsis, poisonings, metabolic disorders, acute coronary syndromes, central nervous system infections, post-COVID patients, and post-operative patients following major surgery, among others. Specialised diagnostic and therapeutic interventions are provided, including haemodynamic and non-haemodynamic monitoring, ultrasound examinations of the heart, chest, vessels and abdomen, transoesophageal echocardiography, bedside diagnostic and therapeutic bronchoscopies, renal replacement therapy with haemodiafiltration and conventional haemodialysis. Percutaneous tracheostomies, ultrasound-guided central venous catheter insertions, paracentesis of ascitic and pleural fluid, lumbar punctures, and all necessary diagnostic procedures are performed on a 24-hour basis. The ICU is staffed 24/7 by an intensivist physician with continuous on-site presence, through a structured on-call rota system.
In addition, the multidisciplinary Intensive Care Unit of Larnaca promotes regular multidisciplinary case discussions with physicians from other specialties for the benefit of patients. An ICU infection prevention and epidemiological surveillance committee operates within the unit, focusing on multidrug-resistant organisms and implementing infection prevention guidelines, in collaboration with the hospital’s Infection Control Committee. The unit also collaborates with the liaison service, providing psychological support to patients and families when required.
An outreach service is also in operation, whereby ICU intensivists, upon request, assess and monitor patients in hospital wards and the Emergency Department whose acute conditions are deteriorating. Support with high-flow oxygen therapy and non-invasive mechanical ventilation is provided in ward settings. The unit also collaborates with community nursing services to support chronic patients receiving home mechanical ventilation.
A weekly educational programme is implemented to ensure the continuous training of healthcare professionals, and the department participates in international scientific conferences and overseas seminars. The unit provides clinical training to medical students of the European University, as well as nursing and physiotherapy students from Cyprus University of Technology (TEPAK) and the European University.
Communication with patients’ families takes place on a daily basis, either in person and/or by telephone. Visiting hours operate at scheduled times, during which families may visit patients and receive updates on their clinical progress.
Our goal is to provide the highest standard of care to critically ill patients, based on the most up-to-date and robust scientific evidence, individualised to each patient’s needs, while working in a spirit of teamwork and with respect for patients and their families.
Appointments and Information
