On April 20, 2024, the Supreme Court of India endorsed a set of uniform guidelines for intensive care units (ICUs) aimed at improving patient care and reducing unnecessary prolonged stays. The guidelines, developed by a committee including experts from various medical fields, recommend that stabilized patients requiring no further organ support should be discharged or moved to hospital wards. This decision responds to the trauma faced by patients' families, who often lack knowledge about ICU care and may inadvertently prolong stays based on doctors' advice. The guidelines set a nurse-to-patient ratio of one nurse for every two or three patients, with a one-to-one ratio in Level 3 ICUs for critically ill patients. The court directed state health secretaries to create an action plan for implementing these guidelines, prioritizing five core areas. This initiative follows a 2024 petition related to a medical negligence case, underscoring the need for standardized care in ICUs across India.