What's the difference b/t MICU & MedSurg ICU?

[jetta1]

I don't know what the difference is. Is one more critical than the other or you see more variety of diagnoses with one?

[Shannon Grey]

I don't know what the difference is. Is one more critical than the other or you see more variety of diagnoses with one?

The difference between intensive care nursing and floor nursing is great, the acuity on floor nursing has gone up since the implementation of DRGs (I was here for that) The micu patient is in critical condition, usually requiring more intense care, drips are implemented and probably ventilatory support. they are patients with multisystem problems that have advanced to a life threatening degree. an example would be diabetic ketoacidosis where the BG can be above 1000 on insulin drip with q 30 blood glucose monitoring, it is far more intense and requires specific skills to intervene in the care of the patient most are outlined in protocol

[IamRN]

The difference between Medical ICU and Med/Surg ICU (which is how I understood your question) varies from facility to facility. Essentially though, both units have critically ill patients which more often than not require ventilator support along w/med drips that require constant monitoring of v.s. and labs (among other things).

I have worked in many icu's and each is a bit different. I worked in one that was called ICU, but its forte was neurology. Then there are facilities that have many icu's within itself; neuro, cardiac, cardiothoracic, medical, surgical, burns, etc. Where I work at now, a Surgical ICU, we see primarily surgical/pre surgical situations along w/neuro and cardiothoracic surgery (open hearts); we also see our share of straight medical cases. The facility also has a Medical ICU which pretty much covers everything else that the SICU doesn't, w/occasional surgical/pre surgical patients (depending on staffing situations).

[Havin' A Party!, ASN, RN]

Thanks for the responses. Was wonderin' the question posed myself.

[jetta1]

Thanks for the explanations.:) I'm graduating this Spring with my BSN and am trying to figure out what unit to start out on.