About Critical Care at Smita Memorial Hospital
The Critical Care Department — the Intensive Care Units — looks after patients with life-threatening conditions who need constant, close monitoring and advanced medical support. At Smita Memorial Hospital an experienced multidisciplinary team delivers this care with precision and compassion, around the clock.
The hospital has 54 dedicated critical care beds spread across seven specialised units, so that a heart patient, a newborn, a child and a patient recovering from brain surgery are each cared for by staff trained for exactly that need. Isolation facilities are available for infection control.
Critical Care treatments & services
Intensive care units
| Unit | Beds | What it is for |
|---|---|---|
| Medical ICU (MICU) | 15 beds | Cardiac, medical and surgical patients. Nurse-to-patient ratio 1:2, and 1:1 for critical cases. Advanced monitors, ventilators, defibrillators, dialysis support and bedside diagnostics. |
| Surgical ICU (SICU) | 8 beds | Recovery after major surgery, including high-risk cases. Staffed by intensivists, nurses and paramedics with strict infection-control practice. |
| Coronary Care Unit (CCU) | 8 beds | Care for heart attacks and serious cardiac conditions, alongside the cath lab. |
| Paediatric ICU (PICU) | 8 beds | Critically ill infants, children and adolescents, managed by trained paediatric intensivists with advanced paediatric ventilation. |
| Neonatal ICU (NICU) | 7 beds | Premature and critically ill newborns — low birth weight, respiratory distress, birth complications and congenital anomalies — with Kangaroo Mother Care. |
| Neurosurgical ICU (NSICU) | 5 beds | Intensive monitoring for complex brain and spine conditions after neurosurgery. |
| Cardiothoracic & Vascular ICU (CTVSICU) | 3 beds | Post-operative care after heart and vascular surgery. |
When should you see a specialist?
Consider booking a consultation if you notice any of the following. This is general guidance, not a diagnosis.
- Your doctor has advised ICU admission after surgery or a serious illness
- A family member needs ventilator support or continuous monitoring
- A newborn is premature, has low birth weight or breathing difficulty
- You are arranging transfer of a critically ill patient to Thodupuzha
Critical Care doctors in Thodupuzha
Dr. Blessy Abraham
MBBS, DA (Anaesthesiology), DNB (Anaesthesiology), DrNB (Critical Care Medicine)
Critical Care — frequently asked questions
How many ICU beds does Smita Memorial Hospital have?
54 critical care beds: MICU 15, SICU 8, CCU 8, PICU 8, NICU 7, NSICU 5 and CTVSICU 3, plus isolation facilities for infection control.
What are ICU visiting hours?
ICU visiting hours are 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM and 5:30 PM to 6:00 PM. Only one attendant is allowed with a patient at a time, and attendants must wear the attendant pass.
Is there a separate ICU for children and newborns?
Yes. The 8-bed PICU cares for infants, children and adolescents, and the 7-bed NICU cares for premature and critically ill newborns, with family-centred Kangaroo Mother Care.
What is the nurse-to-patient ratio in the ICU?
In the Medical ICU the ratio is 1:2, and 1:1 for critically ill patients.
Can I use insurance for an ICU admission in an emergency?
Yes. For emergency ICU admissions the patient can be admitted by showing the TPA ID card and paying a deposit of ₹10,000, and the cashless process is completed within 24 hours.