At Curaçao Medical Center, we have a department that consists of an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of 9 beds, including 3 isolation rooms, and a Medium Care Unit (MCU) of 9 beds, including 3 isolation rooms. Patients who have a serious illness, have suffered a serious accident or who are recovering from a major operation are treated in the ICU. The patients’ vital functions such as their breathing, circulation and consciousness must be intensively monitored, supported or even replaced. Any changes in the patients’ conditions are immediately detected by means of monitors, checks and observations and treatment can therefore be adjusted quickly. The Medium Care unit serves as a step-down location for intensive care where patients continue to receive specialist care after a major operation or illness before being transferred to a regular nursing ward.
The ICU team at Curaçao Medical Center is multi-disciplinary, made up of highly skilled intensive care nurses, doctors and specialists trained in providing critical care for patients with a variety of medical, surgical and trauma conditions.
The ICU at Curaçao Medical Center is one of the most critically functioning operational environments in a hospital. Our ICU is of a large sterile area with a high concentration of specialized, technical and monitoring equipment needed to care for critically ill patients.
The ICU environment can be confronting for some patients and visitors who may find the activity, sounds, machines, tubes and monitors intimidating. When you visit someone you care about in ICU it can be an uncomfortable experience – you may feel helpless, overwhelmed, frustrated and sad. Your feelings and apprehension are understood by the staff that provide support for the people you care about. Our ICU has a higher ratio of doctors and nurses to patients to ensure patients are closely monitored.
Intensive Care Conditions
Treatments & Services
About our Intensive Care Unit
- ICU equipment
- It can be a frightening and uncertain time for you, family and friends to see people you care about being monitored and supported by machines. In the ICU you will see many patients connected to a heart monitor, others will be supported with breathing assistance from artificial ventilators, be on dialysis machines and receiving a variety of intravenous infusions via tubes and drips. Be prepared to see lots of lines, tubes, wires and monitoring equipment. Almost all ICU equipment uses alarms to let staff know about a change in a patient’s condition. Not all equipment alarms signal an emergency situation.
- Mobile phones
- Mobile phones should be turned off in ICU as they may interfere with vital electrical equipment supporting patients.
- Visitors
- We have a strict visitor policy to ensure the wellbeing of our patients. Our ICU team will communicate the policy, requirements and visitation hours directly to the patient’s primary contact. Please take note that visiting is usually restricted to people the patient considers to be immediate family. If you are feeling unwell or have an existing health condition you should reconsider visiting ICU or discuss your circumstances with ICU staff before you plan to visit.
- Hygiene
- As intensive care patients are very vulnerable to infections, it is important that visitors wash their hands before entering ICU to prevent transferring infection.
- Gifts
- Restrictions are in place to allow easy access to vital medical equipment and to patients. If you are unsure what you can bring with you check with ICU staff before you plan to visit.
Additional Care
- Counseling
- Admission to ICU because of critical illness or accident can have a huge physical and emotional impact on your life and your family. Our ICU at Curaçao Medical Center has a dedicated counsellor to provide support for patients and their families. The counsellors is highly experienced and a thorough knowledge of ICU procedures.
- Pastoral and Spiritual care
- For many people, emotional and spiritual thoughts tend to surface when someone they care about is in a critical condition in hospital. We can provide pastoral counseling services for patients, families who need compassionate, professional and spiritual guidance and support. We also offer a Tranquility Space on level 1 that is open 24×7 for times of reflection and prayer.
Specialists Instensive Care
Diego Munoz Rincon - Intensivist
Dr. Diego Alejandro Muñoz Rincon, a native of Medellin, Colombia, is a dedicated Intensivist at Curaçao Medical Center (CMC). His journey in medicine began at the Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, where he earned his General Physician degree from 1993 to 1999. This period instilled in him a deep sense of compassion and a commitment to serving his community’s healthcare needs.
Dr. Muñoz Rincon ‘s thirst for knowledge led him to specialize in emergency medicine at Universidad CES in Medellin from 2005 to 2008. His training prepared him for high-pressure situations, honing his skills in providing critical care during emergencies.
In 2010, Dr. Muñoz Rincon embarked on a transformative one-year training program in Trauma and Mass Casualties situations at Israel’s Rambam Health Care Campus. This experience broadened his medical expertise and global perspective on healthcare and disaster management.
Dr. Muñoz Rincon ‘s pursuit of excellence continued as he specialized in Intensive Care Medicine at Universidad CES from 2012 to 2014. He then dedicated himself to Hospital Pablo Tobon Uribe as an Intensive Care Physician until 2020, simultaneously offering his services at Clinica Las Americas.
Beyond his medical career, Dr. Muñoz Rincon ‘s love for nature led him to Curacao. Here, he fell in love with the culture, beaches, sea life, and warm-hearted people. In his free time, Diego is deeply committed to giving back to the island he now calls home.
Dr. Muñoz Rincon actively participates in reef restoration projects, recognizing the importance of preserving fragile ecosystems. He also dedicates time to cleaning the ocean periodically, showcasing his dedication to environmental stewardship.
Dr. Muñoz Rincon ‘s linguistic versatility in Papiamentu, Dutch, English, and Spanish allows him to connect with a diverse range of people and provide healthcare services in multiple languages.
Jeanne Koeijers - Internist Intensivist
Juan Camillo Lopez de Mesa - Intensivist
Dr. Juan Camillo Lopez de Mesa, an accomplished anesthesiologist and intensivist, hails from Colombia, where he embarked on his medical journey, earning his medical degree in 2002. His fervor for anesthesiology led him to pursue a specialized degree in the field at Universidad CES in Medellin, Colombia, culminating in 2009.
Driven by a quest for comprehensive patient care, Dr. Lopez de Mesa further honed his expertise by acquiring a specialization in critical care medicine in 2011, also undertaking a scholarship program focusing on neurointensive care during one year at the University of Chile in Santiago de Chile in 2013. His dedication to advancing his skills led him to attain a University diploma in advanced critical ultrasonography POCUS, empowering him with cutting-edge diagnostic abilities.
Eager to deepen his understanding of medical ethics, he is currently engrossed in pursuing a Master of Bioethics at the Catholic University of Valencia in Spain, highlighting his commitment to a holistic approach to healthcare.
Dr. Lopez de Mesa’s career in Curaçao started at SEHOS, where he initially served as a replacement anesthesiology and intensive care physician in 2011, gradually transitioning to a full-time role in both the intensive care and anesthesiology departments from 2020 onward.
His passion for managing critically ill patients blossomed during his medical training, prompting his decision to embark on the journey to become an intensivist. Proficient in Papiamentu, English, and Spanish, Dr. Lopez de Meza embodies a multilingual skill set that allows him to communicate and connect effectively with diverse patients and medical professionals.
His dedication to the field, coupled with a multilayered skill set and a commitment to ethical medical practice, underscores Dr. Juan Camillo Lopez de Mesa as a highly skilled and compassionate healthcare professional.