Q & A: Better understanding the Progressive Care Unit
What is the Progressive Care Unit?
The second level of the new tower—the Progressive Care Unit—will be an acuity adaptable 28-bed unit. The objective of this unit is to flex the care model as patients’ conditions change, rather than moving patients from one unit to another to receive different levels of care.
What kind of patients will stay there?
The Progressive Care Unit will care for patients needing step-down level of care. As their condition improves, they will stay on the unit to maintain continuity of care through discharge.
What is the difference between the Progressive Care Unit and the IMCU?
We consider the Progressive Care Unit and IMCU “brother and sister” units. Both departments will care for patients needing step-down level of care. Additionally, the Progressive Care Unit is set up as an acuity adaptable space that allows patients to transition to medical/surgical level of care without physically moving.
How will the Progressive Care Unit improve patient flow throughout the hospital?
Opening the Progressive Care Unit will assist in relieving the current “bottlenecks” to improve patient flow. The goal is to operate units at 85 percent capacity to allow for safe patient flow. We intend to achieve this by making sure the right patient is seen in the right location the first time.
How will we distinguish between the Progressive Care Unit and Procedural Care Unit—which both have the acronym “PCU”—when a code is called?
The 28 rooms in the Progressive Care Unit will have four digits starting with the number eight. So, the rooms will be numbered 8201-8228. Codes called in this unit will follow this formula: “Code X, Progressive Care Unit, room 8228.”
How will we access the unit?
The Progressive Care Unit will be accessible to caregivers and the public via a new elevator that is being installed near the current ICU. More instruction will be provided as part of the training that will be offered to caregivers in the coming months.
Who is managing the unit?
The nurse manager of the Progressive Care Unit is Don Jacobs, who for the past two years has worked as the assistant nurse manager in our ICU. Prior to coming to St. Charles, Don gained valuable experience operationalizing a building when he helped open the 290-bed Mayo Clinic in Phoenix.
Are we recruiting new caregivers to staff the Progressive Care Unit?
Yes! We’ve interviewed many nurses and are currently working on offers for 24. We’ve also signed five of the six providers we’re hiring to staff the tower and one more is pending signature. Our next big hiring push will be for CNAs, a unit secretary and support services.
How will nurse floating work in this unit?
The Progressive Care Unit will be considered part of the Critical Care service line. Nursing will float in and out of this unit according to the ONA contract.
When can I see the Progressive Care Unit and the rest of the new patient tower?
The new patient tower is going to be open to caregivers and the public for tours as part of our “Sneak Peek” event on May 8. However, caregivers who will be working in the tower will see it sooner as part of their training.
When will the Progressive Care Unit open?
The unit will open on May 19 along with the rest of the new patient tower.