PCU
Abbreviation with 2 meanings
| Stands for | Progressive care unit |
|---|---|
| Meanings | 2 |
| Categories | Medical |
PCU has two meanings. It stands for Progressive care unit (hospital) or Palliative care unit (hospital).
Meanings of PCU at a glance
| # | PCU stands for | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Progressive care unit | Medical › Hospital |
| 2 | Palliative care unit | Medical › Hospital |
1. Progressive care unit
Medical · Hospital Abbreviations
Intermediate-level inpatient unit for patients who are more unstable than general ward patients but do not need full intensive care, such as those on certain drips, noninvasive ventilation or continuous cardiac monitoring.
Example: Downgraded from ICU to PCU, off pressors, on BiPAP at night.
Also called step-down or intermediate care. Nurse-to-patient ratios are typically between ICU and floor levels, often 1:3. AACN offers the PCCN certification for progressive care nurses. Admission criteria vary by hospital.
2. Palliative care unit
Medical · Hospital Abbreviations
Inpatient unit dedicated to relieving symptoms and supporting patients with serious illness and their families, often near the end of life. Staff focus on comfort, communication and psychosocial care.
Example: Transferred to PCU for symptom management; family visiting freely.
Some hospitals reserve PCU for this meaning and call intermediate care units IMCU instead. Inpatient hospice units are similar but require hospice enrollment. Palliative care can be given alongside curative treatment, unlike hospice under the Medicare hospice benefit.
Related abbreviations
More hospital abbreviations
- OP – Outpatient
- OPD – Outpatient department
- OR – Operating room
- PACU – Post-anesthesia care unit
- PASS – Pull, aim, squeeze, sweep
- PCMH – Patient-centered medical home
- PGY – Postgraduate year
- PICU – Pediatric intensive care unit
- PPE – Personal protective equipment
- QI – Quality improvement
- RACE – Rescue, alarm, contain, extinguish
- RHC – Rural health clinic
See all 89 hospital abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.