ICU vs PCU

Help Your Peers!

by glamgalRN
  35,123 Views   10 Comments

  1. What's the difference between ICU and PCU? Obviously the patients in the PCU are going to be more stable, but will they still be on vents? Do you think most of them will be awake and alert?
    Thanks for the help!
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  2. 10 Comments

    Topic Closed
  3. by cardiacRN2006
    Sep 5, '08
    Not all PCUs are the same.

    For ours, the pts are awake, stable, and can be on non-titratable drips (Heparin, octreotide, nexium, etc)
  4. by dorie43rn
    Sep 5, '08
    Vents in our PCU?:chuckle Our PCU can't even seem to handle angina patients. I'm sure it is not the same in all hospitals, but vents ONLY go to ICU.

    Doris
  5. by clairebearrn
    Sep 5, '08
    A patient may be on a vent if they get intubated while in the PCU. Sometimes we have some vents in PCU if all the ICUs are packed...PCU patients are mostly stable(MI,GIB,PNA) Hope this helps.
  6. by glamgalRN
    Sep 6, '08
    Thanks for responding!
    I'm a new nurse and have an interview on a PCU this week and wasn't really sure what to expect.
  7. by ⚕annanonymous⚕
    Aug 14, '09
    I know this is old, but our PCU has vents and drips to titrate. Some of our patients are awake and alert, others are not. If they don't require hourly vital checks, they don't need to be in ICU.
  8. by bulldoggurlie
    Aug 16, '09
    in my pcu or stepdown...i guess the same thing we take stable trached vents and when we send patients to the unit they will often be intubated in our area and stay for a bit until a bed is available. we do many different drips including heparin, insulin, nexium, octreotide, dopamine, amiardorone (sorry spelling), dobutamine etc....we do not do ativan drips or levophed etc. Our patients vary in alertness in both extremes. its pretty busy
  9. by PICNICRN
    Aug 17, '09
    OK... I'm gonna ask the stoooopid question... What is the P in PCU?? I've asked my coworkers and no one knows.
  10. by klarck
    Aug 18, '09
    After spending a mere 15 minutes searching my PCCN study guide for the definitive answer, I can assure you the "P" stands for "Progressive". (btw, always -ALWAYS- question acronyms.)
  11. by PICNICRN
    Aug 18, '09
    Quote from klarck
    After spending a mere 15 minutes searching my PCCN study guide for the definitive answer, I can assure you the "P" stands for "Progressive". (btw, always -ALWAYS- question acronyms.)

    Thanks....clears alot up!!
  12. by foreverRN13
    Jul 14, '10
    Progressive Care Unit

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