A study of the microbiological environment of the respiratory intensive care unit, the Royal Victoria Hospital.

THE Respiratory Intensive Care Unit (R.I.C.U.) admits post operative patients from neuro-surgery and thoracic surgery. It also admits severely traumatised patients, and those suffering from fat emtbolism or tetanus who require assisted respiration in the form of increased oxygen tension or ventilation. The Unit consists of seven cubicles and seven beds in an open ward. Each cubicle has a sink and also a "clean" and a "dirty" cupboard which communicate with the corridor. Most severely ill patients and those with infection are nursed in cubicles with a nurse in constant attendance. In the main ward severely ill patients also have a gowned and masked nurse in constant attendance, others, not so ill, share nurses.