The Semi-critical Care Unit at Figueres Hospital, which began operations on September 14th, provides care for seriously ill patients who do not require ICU admission, as well as those continuing treatment after discharge from critical care units. This new unit allows patients to be treated at a hospital closer to their homes, ensuring clinical safety.
Located in the Emergency Department, in the space formerly occupied by the Monitoring Unit (UMO), the new unit is the result of space adaptation and the incorporation of advanced technology. It operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, with a reinforced team specifically trained for the care of these patients. They receive remote support from intensive care specialists at the Trueta-Santa Caterina Critical Care Territorial Service and cardiology specialists from the Trueta Cardiovascular Critical Care Unit, via the Critic.CAT technological platform.
The Critic.CAT project facilitates real-time information and knowledge transfer between centers and professionals involved in the care of critical and semi-critical patients in the Girona Health Region. This coordination improves decision-making, resource efficiency, and territorial equity.
The manager of the Girona Health Region, Jaume Heredia, highlighted that this model allows for the provision of care at a level similar to that of the Trueta-Santa Caterina ICU in regional hospitals. Since its launch, five cases have been identified that would have required transfer to Girona without this unit.
The managing director of the Fundació Salut Empordà, Xavier Verdaguer, thanked the professionals for their work and emphasized that the model avoids duplication, optimizes resources, and increases proximity and accessibility for patients in Figueres and the Alt Empordà.
The Director of Emergencies at Figueres Hospital, Olga Mesquida, underscored the territorial coordination to ensure continuous training for the healthcare team and noted that the Semi-critical Care Unit is an evolution of the previous Monitoring Unit, with increased professional staffing.
This new healthcare model, promoted by the Department of Health and CatSalut, includes the opening of similar units at the Olot Hospital in the coming weeks and at the Sant Jaume de Calella Hospital throughout 2027. Once the deployment is complete, the Girona Health Region will increase from 12 to 44 general semi-critical beds and from 27 to 39 intensive care beds, with further expansions in other specialties.
The project aims to improve coordination between hospitals, adapt resources, and better serve the population, reducing patient transfers outside the region (currently around 60 annually) and enhancing territorial equity.
