What is Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit mean? Psychiatric Intensive Care Units or PICUs are specialist twenty-four hour inpatient wards that provide intensive assessment and comprehensive treatment to individuals during the most acute phase of a serious mental illness.
Most individuals only stay on PICU wards for a very short time and are moved as soon as the crisis is over or the risky behaviours are under control. Commonly, patients are discharged to acute wards, but some patients go straight home—never requiring further input from mental health services.
PICUs are usually locked and more secure wards, and have a low patient capacity—when compared to open psychiatric wards. They have higher levels of staffing and are usually single-sex.
PICUs have a diverse range of staff, including: mental health nurses, psychiatrists, psychologists, pharmacists, occupational therapists, social workers, activities co-ordinators, health care support workers, and ward managers.
Patients will often have acute depression, a personality disorder, or schizophrenia. Some individuals present with suicidal thoughts or self-harm, some may be unpredictable in their behaviour, and some may be outwardly aggressive to others, to property, or to themselves.
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Posted on 30 Nov 2024, this text provides information on Medical related to Miscellaneous in Medical. Please note that while accuracy is prioritized, the data presented might not be entirely correct or up-to-date. This information is offered for general knowledge and informational purposes only, and should not be considered as a substitute for professional advice.