Out of ICU!

It is fast nowadays. My brother has only two syringe pumps on instead of six when his out of OT(operating theatre). One is morphine which is a painkiller. The other is labelled GTN which I do not know what it for. The ventilator is out as well. He is conscious but drowsy. He is transferred to high dependency ward for today and will go to regular ward tomorrow. The wonder of technology and technique. Recovery from open heart used to be two weeks in ICU thirty years ago. Then down to one week and today it is only one or two days stay in ICU. The significant reduction is due to the extensive the use of single use disposable product, better drainage and closure of wounds, sutures, new drugs, etc, etc. The cost has also gone up. It used to cost about $10K. Today, the cost is about $20K unsubsidized rate.

I am very glad my brother is recovering well. He still has enhanced oxygen intake through breathing tube. His oxygen saturation has dropped to 98% which is still good. I hope it does not drop further when he is breathing on his own without additional oxygen.