are an important part of recovery for some patients.
According to the New Hanover Regional Medical Center, progressive-care units assist patients in their transition from critical to basic care by providing 24-hour continuous care by an interdisciplinary health-care team.
Function
A progressive-care unit (PCU) is a special unit within a hospital used expressly to prepare patients to transition from an intensive-care unit to that of a basic-care hospital wing. According to the American Association of Critical Care Nurses, PCU staff is specifically trained in the needs of patients who are classified as critical.
Features
Progressive care is recognized as a vital part of recovery for patients leaving an intensive-care environment. According to Kathleen Dooney, RN, MSN, director of nursing education at Winthrop-University Hospital in Mineola, New York, medical professionals in this type of unit must be prepared to work at a faster pace, and expect more turnover than those working in a basic-care wing.
Types
Progressive-care units are generally extremely specialized with focus on a particular system such as cardiac, renal, postsurgery or intermediate care. They are referred to by some hospitals as step-down units, and emphasis is placed on making the transition from intensive care to basic care as stress-free as possible for the patient.
Tags: transition from, basic care, part recovery, Progressive-care units