A psychiatric intensive care unit in a psychiatric hospital.

This paper describes the operation of a psychiatric intensive care unit in a provincial psychiatric hospital. Its introduction led to a decrease in staff and patient accidents, a decrease in constant observation and seclusion hours, and a decrease in the number of nursing hours lost to injuries at work. It had no effect on nursing absenteeism. The ICU was well liked by nursing staff who preferred to work in its more consistent and controlled environment. In addition, it was also felt that the ward environment in other parts of the hospital became more therapeutic. We therefore conclude that psychiatric ICU's are useful additions to psychiatric settings with important cost and patient care implications.