Bangalore’s hospitals run some of India’s most advanced intensive care units. When an emergency happens, what you need is clear information, and that’s what an ICU bed actually offers. This guide focuses on that practical detail so families can move with confidence when time is critical.
ICU capacity across the city spans medical, surgical, cardiac and neurocritical units as well as age-specific ICUs for children and newborns. While capabilities vary by hospital, the overall standard in multi-speciality centres is strong, with 24×7 monitoring, invasive and non-invasive ventilation, and access to specialists across disciplines.
What is an ICU bed in Bangalore?
An ICU bed is a setup for continuous and high-acuity care. Beds in modern ICUs enable safe positioning for procedures and CPR; integrate rails, ports and mounts for devices and lines; and sit within a bay designed for close observation. Around the patient, you’ll typically find multi-parameter monitors (ECG, SpO₂, NIBP/IBP), ventilators, infusion and syringe pumps, and rapid access to imaging, labs, dialysis/CRRT and specialist interventions. Major hospitals in Bangalore describe these capabilities as part of their core critical-care service.
ICU Types Commonly Seen in Bangalore
Hospitals segment ICUs by clinical need so the right skills and equipment are on hand:
- MICU (Medical ICU) for medical emergencies such as sepsis or acute kidney injury
- SICU (Surgical ICU) for complex post-operative care
- CICU/CCU (Cardiac ICU) for heart attacks, rhythm issues or post-cardiac surgery
- Neuro ICU (NCCU) for stroke and traumatic brain injury
- NICU & PICU for neonatal and pediatric intensive care
- TICU (Trauma ICU) for multi-system injuries requiring rapid stabilisation and close monitoring
- BICU (Burn ICU) for severe burns needing airway support, fluid resuscitation and wound care
- OICU (Oncology ICU) for complications of cancer or anti-cancer therapy and post-oncology surgeries
- GICU (Geriatric ICU) for older adults with multiple co-morbidities needing geriatric-focused critical care
Who Looks After the Patient
Critical care is a team sport. Intensivists work with anesthesiologists, speciality consultants, ICU nurses, respiratory therapists, physiotherapists, pharmacists and dieticians. Indian critical-care guidance highlights nursing intensity as a key safety marker: 1:1 nursing for patients on organ support (e.g., mechanical ventilation) and tighter than ward ratios even for more stable ICU patients. When evaluating a hospital, it’s reasonable to ask about nurse-to-patient ratios and 24/7 intensivist coverage.
HDU vs ICU: Know the Difference
A High-Dependency Unit (HDU) offers intermediate care that involves more monitoring than a standard hospital ward but less organ support than an Intensive Care Unit (ICU). HDUs are beneficial for patients who are recovering after an ICU stay, those who require closer observation following a procedure, or patients with conditions that need monitoring without the necessity for full life support.
| Aspect | HDU | ICU |
| Clinical intensity | Enhanced monitoring; limited organ support | Full organ support (ventilation, vasopressors, invasive monitoring) |
| Typical nurse ratios | Less intense than ICU (e.g., can be 1:2 to 1:3 depending on acuity) | Highest intensity (often 1:1 for patients on organ support) |
| Common use cases | Step-down from ICU, post-procedure observation, moderate risk | Multi-organ failure, major trauma/surgery, severe sepsis, stroke with airway/pressure needs |
| Bed environment | Monitored beds with ready escalation pathways | Bedside monitors, ventilators, pumps and invasive lines standard |
Cost of ICU in a Hospital and Factors Influencing the Cost
Exact charges depend on the level and duration of support a patient needs rather than a fixed number. Expect hospitals to clarify inclusions and exclusions in writing. Factors that influence the cost:
- Level of support: mechanical ventilation, dialysis/CRRT, invasive monitoring, blood products
- Intensity of nursing and specialist input: higher staffing needs increase daily charges
- Isolation requirements: negative-pressure rooms and PPE protocols
- Consumables and medications: antibiotics, lines, catheters, nutrition, disposables
- Investigations and procedures: imaging (CT/MRI), procedures, repeat labs
- Length of stay and step-downs: moving from ICU to HDU to general ward reduces daily intensity (and therefore cost structure)
Hospitals with ICU beds in Bangalore
- Even Hospitals: Even Hospitals offer specialist-led ICU care with 24×7 monitoring, advanced life-support (including ventilators and invasive monitoring), and post-operative critical care. Admission is open to all patients, with multidisciplinary coverage across medical, surgical, cardiac, neuro, and pediatric cases.
- Fortis Hospitals: Fortis operates multispecialty ICUs across its Bengaluru campuses with intensivist-led care, continuous monitoring, and access to rapid interventions. Units include medical, surgical, cardiac, neuro, pediatric/neonatal, and additional speciality ICUs such as burn, trauma, oncology, and geriatric.
- Apollo Hospitals: Apollo’s Bengaluru units run multidisciplinary ICUs with round-the-clock coverage, established protocols, and infection-control practices. Services span medical and surgical critical care, dedicated cardiac and neuro ICUs, and pediatric/neonatal intensive care.
- Manipal Hospitals: Manipal Hospitals maintain comprehensive ICU services with advanced monitoring, ventilatory support, and coordinated speciality input. Across major branches, ICUs cover medical, surgical, cardiac, neuro, and pediatric/neonatal care with access to on-site diagnostics and procedures.
Admission, Treatment and Discharge: What Families Can Expect
Admission into ICU usually follows a clear protocol: triage, rapid assessment, consent, and placement in the unit most appropriate for the condition (e.g., MICU for medical emergencies, SICU after major surgery). During the stay, the ICU team arranges brief and structured updates with families. Many hospitals limit visiting hours and phone use within the unit to maintain safe and sterile workflows. On improvement, doctors plan a step-down to an HDU or a monitored ward bed. Discharge summaries typically include a medication plan, follow-up schedule and warning signs to watch for.
What Even Offers:
Even offers ICU admission coordination, aligning the appropriate ICU type with the treating team and managing cashless insurance documentation where eligible. Post-ICU follow-ups, including physiotherapy when advised, are scheduled, and if an inter-facility transfer is required, Even coordinates a safe, clinician-to-clinician handover to the receiving hospital.
Frequently Asked Questions around ICU Beds in Bangalore
Q: Which ICU types are commonly available in Bangalore?
A: Most multispecialty hospitals run MICU, SICU, CICU/CCU, Neuro ICU, NICU/PICU, and speciality units such as Trauma, Burn, Oncology, and Geriatric ICUs; naming varies by hospital.
Q: Are ICU services at Even open to everyone?
Yes. Even offers ICU admission and care for all patients, with specialist-led coverage across medical, surgical, cardiac, neuro, and pediatric cases.
Q: How can families check ICU bed availability and the right ICU type?
A: Hospitals typically route callers via the main desk or emergency room to the relevant ICU. It’s important to confirm the appropriate unit (e.g., Neuro ICU, CICU) based on the treating team’s advice and the patient’s condition.
Q: What staffing should families expect inside an ICU?
A: Indian critical-care guidance highlights 1:1 nursing for patients on organ support and tighter-than-ward ratios even for stable ICU patients. Major hospitals usually ensure 24×7 intensivist coverage.
Q: What’s the difference between ICU and HDU?
A: An HDU provides enhanced monitoring with lower organ-support intensity than an ICU. Many patients step down from the ICU to the HDU as they stabilise.
Q: Will insurance cover ICU treatment?
A: Comprehensive policies generally cover ICU, but sub-limits, room-rent linkages, and pre-authorisation rules vary. Families should share policy details early so the hospital can confirm cashless eligibility