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Adult ICU

Department of Adult Critical Care (DACC) was established at Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital (JDWNRH) in 2025 as a dedicated department providing specialized intensive care services for critically ill adult patients across Bhutan. Critical care services at JDWNRH began with a 10-bed Intensive Care Unit (ICU) managed by a single intensivist for over a decade. In response to the growing demand for critical care, the department has expanded to more than 25 ICU beds comprising Medical ICU and Surgical ICU services, supported by a team of three intensivists. The DACC provides comprehensive, multidisciplinary care to critically ill patients requiring advanced life support, including those with severe medical illnesses, major trauma, complex surgical conditions, neurological emergencies, sepsis, respiratory failure, and multiorgan dysfunction. The department serves as the national referral centre for adult critical care, receiving patients from hospitals across the country for specialized intensive care management. Within JDWNRH, the department works in close collaboration with the emergency department and all medical and surgical specialties to ensure timely admission of critically ill patients requiring intensive care. The team also facilitates the safe transfer of stabilized patients back to their respective specialty wards to ensure continuity of care. Beyond JDWNRH, the DACC plays an important role in strengthening critical care services nationwide. The department provides technical support, mentorship, and capacity building to regional referral and district hospitals through clinical training, protocol development, and teleconsultation services, contributing to equitable access to quality critical care throughout Bhutan.

Our Mission

To deliver safe, timely, and high-quality intensive care to critically ill adult patients.

To provide multidisciplinary, patient-centred care based on current evidence and best clinical practices.

To strengthen critical care services throughout Bhutan through clinical leadership, mentorship, telemedicine, and capacity building.

To educate and train healthcare professionals to develop a competent critical care workforce.

To promote research, quality improvement, and innovation to continuously enhance patient outcomes and healthcare delivery.

To collaborate with all clinical departments to ensure seamless continuity of care for critically ill patients.

Our Vision

To be the national centre of excellence in adult critical care by delivering compassionate, evidence-based, and patient-centred intensive care while advancing education, research, and innovation to improve critical care services across Bhutan.

Our Core Values

Patient-Centered Compassion

We treat every patient with empathy, dignity, and respect, recognizing and responding to their individual physical, emotional, and cultural needs.

Clinical Excellence and Safety

We maintain the highest standards of anesthesia practice through evidence-based medicine, robust safety measures, and continuous quality improvement.

Collaborative Teamwork

We value open communication, mutual respect, and multidisciplinary cooperation to provide seamless perioperative care and support successful surgical outcomes.

Equity and Accessibility

We are committed to ensuring all patients receive timely, inclusive, and equitable anesthesia care regardless of their background or circumstances.

Integrity and Accountability

We uphold ethical principles, transparency, and professionalism while remaining accountable to our patients, colleagues, and the wider community.

Innovation and Lifelong Learning

We encourage innovation, embrace advancements in medical technology, and promote a culture of continuous learning, education, and professional growth.

History of Adult ICU Services in Bhutan

Department of Adult Critical Care (DACC) was established at Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital (JDWNRH) in 2025 as a dedicated department providing specialized intensive care services for critically ill adult patients across Bhutan.
Critical care services at JDWNRH began with a 10-bed Intensive Care Unit (ICU) managed by a single intensivist for over a decade. In response to the growing demand for critical care, the department has expanded to more than 25 ICU beds comprising Medical ICU and Surgical ICU services, supported by a team of three intensivists.
The DACC provides comprehensive, multidisciplinary care to critically ill patients requiring advanced life support, including those with severe medical illnesses, major trauma, complex surgical conditions, neurological emergencies, sepsis, respiratory failure, and multiorgan dysfunction. The department serves as the national referral centre for adult critical care, receiving patients from hospitals across the country for specialized intensive care management.

Within JDWNRH, the department works in close collaboration with the emergency department and all medical and surgical specialties to ensure timely admission of critically ill patients requiring intensive care. The team also facilitates the safe transfer of stabilized patients back to their respective specialty wards to ensure continuity of care.
Beyond JDWNRH, the DACC plays an important role in strengthening critical care services nationwide. The department provides technical support, mentorship, and capacity building to regional referral and district hospitals through clinical training, protocol development, and teleconsultation services, contributing to equitable access to quality critical care throughout Bhutan.

Adult ICU Services

Our department provides a comprehensive range of  services, including:

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