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A Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) is a type of psychiatric in-patient ward. On these wards staffing levels are higher than on a normal acute admission ward. PICUs are designed to look after patients who cannot be managed on open (unlocked) psychiatric wards due to the level of risk the patient poses to themselves or 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 an open ward as soon as their mental state is stable. Many PICUs have a seclusion room. 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 are not sent to a PICU as a punishment for their behaviour. Clinical assessment of the risks posed by the patient to themselves and to others should be included in any decision to transfer a patient to a PICU. ==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 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. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Psychiatric intensive-care unit」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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