Intensive Care Unit Say: in-ten-siv kair yoo-nit The intensive care unit, or ICU, is a special place in the hospital where people can recover from very serious illnesses, accidents, or operations. In the ICU, a patient can get extra help from machines and extra attention from doctors, nurses, and other caring people. Back to Articles Related Articles Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. © 1995-2021 KidsHealth®. All rights reserved. Images provided by The Nemours Foundation, iStock, Getty Images, Veer, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com.