Levels of Care — What to Expect

The ICU provides the highest level of monitoring and support available in many hospitals. Patients are cared for when they have a serious illness, injury, or condition that requires very close observation and specialized treatment.

Your healthcare team may check you frequently and make adjustments to your treatment based on your condition.

• Continuous heart and vital-sign monitors
• IV pumps and specialized medications
• Oxygen or breathing support
• Specialized monitoring equipment

Nurse-to-patient assignments are often smaller in the ICU than on a regular hospital unit because patients may require more frequent assessment and care. Staffing can vary depending on the patient's condition and the hospital.

A Step-Down or Progressive Care Unit provides a level of care between the ICU and a regular hospital unit.

Patients may be transferred here when they no longer require the full level of ICU care but still need closer monitoring than is typically provided on a general unit.

You may continue to have heart or other continuous monitoring depending on your condition.

Your nurses will continue to assess you frequently while your care begins to transition toward greater independence.

You may gradually do more activities for yourself as your healthcare team determines it is safe.

Telemetry is a form of continuous heart-rhythm monitoring. You may be in a regular hospital room while your heart rhythm is monitored remotely by the healthcare team.

Telemetry may be used for patients with certain heart conditions, abnormal heart rhythms, chest symptoms, or other situations where heart monitoring is needed.

You may wear a small portable monitor connected to electrodes placed on your chest.

The monitor sends information to a monitoring system where trained staff can observe your heart rhythm.

Depending on your condition and hospital policies, you may be able to walk around your room or hallway while wearing the monitor.

The monitor does not replace your nurse's assessments. Your nurse will continue checking your vital signs, medications, symptoms, and overall condition.

A Medical-Surgical, or Med-Surg, unit is a general hospital unit caring for patients with many different medical conditions, injuries, and surgical needs.

Patients are generally stable enough that they do not require the continuous level of monitoring or support provided in an ICU.

Your nurse will perform regular assessments and check things such as:

• Vital signs
• Pain
• Medications
• IVs and treatments
• Wounds or surgical sites
• Eating, drinking, and elimination
• Mobility and safety

Your healthcare team may also work with physical therapy, occupational therapy, respiratory therapy, case management, and other services depending on your needs.

As you recover, the focus often shifts toward getting stronger, becoming more independent, and preparing for the next step in your care.

Some patients need care designed around a particular medical condition, treatment, or recovery goal.

Examples may include stroke care, orthopedics, oncology, maternity, pediatrics, rehabilitation, and other specialty services.

Your care team may include healthcare professionals with specialized training in your particular area of care.

For example, rehabilitation may focus on helping you regain strength, mobility, communication, or the ability to perform everyday activities.

The goal of a specialty unit is to provide care that matches your specific needs while helping you move toward the next stage of recovery.