Consequently, you cannot see or meet the patient, and it's often very difficult to find out how the patient is doing. Many relatives maintain all-night vigils, armed with cellular phones, often in shifts, outside the ICU, in case there is a sudden change in the patient's condition. The ICU is typically a large windowless room, sometimes with curtains between the beds, sometimes not. Men, women and children are usually clubbed together. There is a central nursing station from which all beds are visible.
Bright lights are on day and night.
The ICU tends to be noisy as monitors beep all the time. People are constantly dying. Sleep is usually impossible. Disorientation is common, not only because of illness or injury but also because of the constant din, bright illumination, hectic activity and lack of sleep. Also, because ICU patients tend to be debilitated and gravely ill, the ICU is the most dangerous place in the hospital because one can easily catch a serious infection.