This qualitative study was based on the question: How is the intensive care provided to patients in the environment of Intensive Care Units? The study's objective was to understand how intensive care is provided to patients in the environment of Adult Intensive Care Units. Grounded Theory was the method used. A total of 39 interviews were held with 47 different subjects (patients, health professionals, managers, supporting service professionals, family members) from three Adult Intensive Care Units in Florianópolis/SC, Santa Maria/RS and Pelotas/RS, Brazil, between June 2009 and September 2010. The theory "Sustaining life in the complex care environment of intensive care units" was defined by eight categories, of which one will be focused on in this paper: "Continuously caring for and monitoring the patient". We conclude that intensive care requires integral care, which goes beyond technical care and comprises the physical, emotional, spiritual and social dimensions of the human being.
Nursing care; Intensive care; Humanization of assistance; Professional-patient relations; Intensive care units