ICU and HCU classifications under Japan’s medical fee reimbursement system
| Type 1 ICUs | Type 2 ICUs | HCUs |
| Two or more dedicated intensivists (each with ≥5 years of experience in critical care) always on duty in the ICU | Dedicated intensivist/physician always on duty in the ICU | Dedicated intensivist/physician always on duty in the HCU |
| Minimum nurse-to-patient ratio of 1:2 (each nurse is assigned ≤2 patients) | Minimum nurse-to-patient ratio of 1:2 (each nurse is assigned ≤2 patients) | Minimum nurse-to-patient ratio of 1:5 (each nurse is assigned ≤5 patients) |
| Dedicated nurse with ≥5 years of nursing experience in critical care or ≥600 hours of critical care training; Works in the ICU for ≥20 hours/week | ||
| Dedicated medical technologist always on duty in the hospital | ||
| Over 80% of admitted patients each month fulfil the evaluation criteria for medical and nursing care needs | Over 70% of admitted patients each month fulfil the evaluation criteria for medical and nursing care needs | Over 60% of admitted patients each month fulfil the evaluation criteria for medical and nursing care needs |
HCU, high care unit; ICU, intensive care unit.