Psychiatric intensive care unit
Encyclopedia
A Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) is a type of psychiatric in-patient ward. These wards are always locked (i.e. entry and exit is controlled by the nursing staff) and staffing levels are higher than on a normal acute admission ward.
PICUs are designed to take patients that cannot be managed on the open (unlocked) wards due to the level of risk the patient poses to themselves or to others. The patient's length of stay is normally short (a few weeks) rather than prolonged as the patient should be treated and returned to the unlocked ward as soon as their mental state is stable. Many PICUs have a seclusion room; some have two seclusion rooms.
There is a common misconception amongst the public and some patients that a PICU is a type of "punishment ward" or "segregation unit" (as found in UK prisons). The role of a PICU does not encompass either of these two functions and patients should not be sent to a PICU solely as a 'punishment' for their behaviour. Clinical assessment of the risks posed by to the patient to themselves and to others should be included in any decision to transfer a patient to a PICU.
Straitjackets
Contrary to popular public belief, straitjackets are not used on these wards, and have not been in use in psychiatric hospitals in the UK since the 1960s.
For Association publishes the Journal of Psychiatric Intensive Care
PICUs are designed to take patients that cannot be managed on the open (unlocked) wards due to the level of risk the patient poses to themselves or to others. The patient's length of stay is normally short (a few weeks) rather than prolonged as the patient should be treated and returned to the unlocked ward as soon as their mental state is stable. Many PICUs have a seclusion room; some have two seclusion rooms.
There is a common misconception amongst the public and some patients that a PICU is a type of "punishment ward" or "segregation unit" (as found in UK prisons). The role of a PICU does not encompass either of these two functions and patients should not be sent to a PICU solely as a 'punishment' for their behaviour. Clinical assessment of the risks posed by to the patient to themselves and to others should be included in any decision to transfer a patient to a PICU.
Straitjackets
Contrary to popular public belief, straitjackets are not used on these wards, and have not been in use in psychiatric hospitals in the UK since the 1960s.
Environment
PICUs typically have the following environmental components:- Higher than normal staff to patient ratios;
- All exit/entry doors are locked;
- Windows have restricted opening widths;
- Visitors have their bags searched on entry, and dangerous (or "risk") items are removed;
- Access to areas such as the unit's kitchen and secure external area (such as a garden) are controlled and risk assessed for each patient.
National Association of Psychiatric Intensive Care Units
The UK based National Association of Psychiatric Intensive Care Units (NAPICU) is a multi professional organisation which aims to improve the practice within PICUs, undertake research and audit and provide training and education. NAPICU has helped develop national guidance and worked with partner organisations to help develop standards for units to become accrediated. www.napicu.org.ukFor Association publishes the Journal of Psychiatric Intensive Care