What is pcu in a hospital?

A PCU, or Progressive Care Unit, is a specialized unit within a hospital that provides intermediate care for patients who are not quite sick enough to require intensive care but still need more monitoring and treatment than a general medical-surgical unit can provide.

Patients in a PCU may have conditions such as unstable vital signs, complex medical conditions, or be recovering from surgery or a serious illness. Nurses and other healthcare professionals in a PCU are trained to provide a higher level of care and monitoring than on a general floor, including administering IV medications, monitoring telemetry, and managing ventilators.

PCU nurses work closely with physicians, respiratory therapists, physical therapists, and other members of the healthcare team to provide comprehensive care for patients. The goal of a PCU is to stabilize and improve the condition of patients so they can eventually be transferred to a lower level of care or discharged home.

Overall, PCUs play a crucial role in providing specialized care for patients who require more intensive monitoring and treatment than what a general medical-surgical unit can offer.