Impact of free health care scheme on ICU bed utilization. A prospective observational study in a tertiary health care Centre.

ICU is a highly specialized part of a hospital  where very sick patients are treated. ICUs have the capacity to provide immediate, lifesaving care to patient and without this care patient may die immediately or eventually.  Care of critically ill patients is an integral part of hospital care,but ICU beds are  not only  limited  but also a costly resource, specially in a populous country like India.  It is a matter of concern that during covid pandemic, many patients died due to unavailability of ICU beds.  It has also been observed that not only in pandemic but also in others times,  there is unavailability of ICU beds. A 10 day pilot study  conducted  in" IMS and Sum hospital" found that  there was an average15 refusal per day(1). This ICU bed scarcity might have occured  because of patients who could have been managed in intermidiatary set ups, were probably  occupying the ICU bed. A10 day pilot study conducted  found that 10% of patient