Sickbay is the main medical center aboard Federation starships. Sickbay is led by the chief medical officer (CMO), a senior staff member, and crewed by various doctors and nurses. It is responsible for the health care and well being of the crew. The area is also tasked with analysis of new life forms a starship may encounter, and developing treatments for unknown diseases or illnesses. When rendering aid to a stricken planet or spacecraft, the sickbay staff treats and cares for the wounded. On starbases, sickbay is typically called the infirmary.

Intensive care unit

Three or four biobeds generally line the walls of sickbay's intensive care unit, or ICU; these are for patients receiving medical care and are equipped with biofunction monitors.

Surgical facilities

Sickbay also has a surgical bed, where major surgeries are performed and critical patients are treated. A large, sophisticated sensor cluster is usually installed directly above this bed. Working in conjunction with a medical tricorder, the sensor suite can give detailed information about a patient's condition. The bed is also designed to use a surgical support frame. This bed is often located in a small area that can be isolated by a force field. If necessary, surgery could be conducted in the intensive care ward if there are an overflow of patients or if another patient is present to donate blood.

Laboratories

Sickbays typically have small laboratory facilities attached to the ICU. The chief medical officer or other associated personnel can monitor experiments or run tests here during their duty shift. The laboratory is equipped with a full bioisolation field.

Other features

Other treatment facilities available in a Akira Class sickbay include physical therapy rooms, OB/GYN and nursery areas, and an emergency bio support unit. A stasis unit is also available, used to temporarily place patients in suspended animation for later treatment A morgue facility is also part of sickbay and autopsies are performed in the main sickbay.

Supplies

Sickbay is well stocked with a variety of medical equipment and supplies. Much of it is left out on tables or benches for use by the medical crew, but some items are stored in cargo crates. If a piece of equipment is needed but not available it can be replicated. A standard food replicator is also found in sickbay.

Security

Due to its critical importance, the primary sickbay is located deep within the saucer section of the Akira Class starship. Sickbay is well protected, and generally has a phaser locker for defense of the facility in the event the ship is boarded.

Psychology

Sickbay can provide limited psychological services to a starship's crew. Although not formally part of the medical staff, the counselor plays an important role in the well being of the crew.