Intensive Care (ICU)

Lowell General's Intensive Care Unit, or ICU, is designed for the latest in critical care services. Patients who are critically ill and those who are in the early stages of recovery from advanced cardiac surgery receive the highest available level of care in our 12-bed ICU, where they are closely monitored around the clock by a team of specially educated, experienced physicians and nurses.

The ICU's unique design enables the nursing and physician staff to have a full view of virtually all patients at all times. Each of the single rooms has state-of-the-art technology that enables staff to monitor patients' vital signs continually. For those visiting loved ones in the ICU, the wide, sunlit gallery surrounding the ICU provides a comfortable, attractive area to gather and provide emotional and spiritual support for the patient and each other. Visiting family members are welcome at any time.

Partnership with Tufts Medical Center keeps patients close to home

Through a strong critical care partnership with Tufts Medical Center, ICU patients receive the same high level of care as they would receive if transferred to Boston. This close collaboration allows Tufts Medical Center physicians experienced in complex case management to travel to Lowell General hospital and staff their 22 ICU beds at the main campus. This benefits critically ill patients as they are able to stay close to home, and benefit from the highly-trained specialists on staff at Lowell General - from nephrologists, infectious disease specialists, cardiologists, neurologists, specialized state state-of-the-art care is available for the patient.

Nurse practitioners and physician  assistants help the ICU staff monitor patients, and a rotation of Tufts Medical Center fellows (doctors who have completed their residencies and are specializing in critical care) are also part of the ICU teams. In addition, when a critically ill patient needs specialized services only available in Boston, the close partnership with colleagues at Tufts Medical Center help facilitate a seamless transfer for the benefit of the patient and family members.

View our ICU Nurse-to-Patient Ratio.