We all know that the medical world is a complicated one. With so many different types of patients and procedures, it can be hard to keep up with them all. But there are a few aspects of medicine that will always stand out as being particularly interesting and important.
One of these aspects is the difference between SICU (surgical intensive care unit) and ICU (intensive care unit).
Both ICUs and SICUs are dedicated to providing care for critically ill patients, who often require specialized equipment and highly-trained medical staff.
Well, this is not it. In this article, we'll discuss the key differences between these two types of rooms to understand better how they work and what they're used for. So are you ready? Let’s dive in!
What Is a Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU)?
A surgical intensive care unit (SICU) is a specialized department in a hospital that provides 24/7 care to patients who have undergone major surgery.
The staff of an SICU is made up of highly-trained professionals who are skilled in managing patients who are at risk for life-threatening complications due to their medical conditions or surgical procedures.
According to a study, SICUs were first developed in the 1990s for enhanced recovery after surgery. As a response to the growing number of people who were undergoing invasive surgical procedures.
Today, SICUs are one of the most common types of critical care units in hospitals across the United States.
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Now you know what SICU is, let’s get onto ICU.
What Is an Intensive Care Unit (ICU)?
In contrast, an Intensive care unit is a place that is dedicated to patients who have been admitted due to severe health conditions. Such patients are usually ones who are unable to breathe on their own, whose heart rate has stopped and needs external assistance, or those who are in need of life support systems such as mechanical ventilation equipment.
As per the research, there are three levels of care for ICU patients, which are based on different criteria and their conditions.
What Types of Patients are in SICU?
Patients in SICUs may be receiving treatment for:
General Surgery - General surgery involves treating conditions affecting any part of the body, including the heart, lungs, abdomen, and reproductive organs.
Orthopedics - Orthopaedics is the medical specialty concerned with conditions affecting bones and joints.
Vascular Surgery - Vascular surgery focuses on repairing blood vessels that supply blood throughout the body.
Gynecology-Obstetrics - Gynecology-obstetrics involves treating female reproductive system issues such as infertility and menopause.
Transplantation - Transplantation refers to the surgical removal or replacement of an organ or tissue from one person's body and implantation into another's body to improve health status or prolong life.
Urology - Urology focuses on diseases related to the urinary tract system in men and women, such as bladder problems or prostate cancer treatment.
What Types Of Patients Are In ICU?
In the intensive care unit (ICU), patients generally fall into one of the following categories:
Cardiac patients
Patients who have been diagnosed with cardiac diseases, such as heart failure or arrhythmia, are treated in an ICU for intensive monitoring and treatment of their condition.
Neurological patients
Patients with severe brain injuries may be admitted to an ICU for treatment of their injury and monitoring for any complications that arise from it.
Burn victims
Burn victims often require extensive skin grafts or other surgeries on top of the initial burn care provided by emergency responders at the scene of the accident or fire. This type of care requires close supervision by medical professionals in order to avoid further damage to their bodies during recovery.
Trauma patients
Trauma refers to injuries or illnesses that result from an accident or injury that may be caused by physical harm or mental stress.
Trauma patients may have been injured in a car accident or fallen from a tall building, for example, or they may have experienced emotional distress like being involved in physical assault or domestic violence.
SICU vs. ICU Equipments
The equipment used in the SICU and ICU is the same. The main difference between the two is that the SICU has a lower census, meaning fewer patients, than the ICU. It is also a step down from the MICU (medical intensive care unit).
In addition to this, there are fewer nurses on staff in an SICU compared to those who work in an ICU. Because of these differences, there is some equipment that may be present in one unit but not another.
Some of the available equipments that are in both the units include:
- Ventilators — This machine helps people who have trouble breathing by providing them with oxygen through a mask or nasogastric tube. It also monitors their breathing rate so that they can get extra oxygen when they need it.
- Monitors — Monitors various body functions like heart rate, respiration, temperature, and blood pressure. The monitors are generally placed on the patient’s bed so that they can be easily monitored by the nurses.
- Suction machines — Suction machines are used to remove excess mucus and fluids from the body, such as sputum and vomit. This helps in preventing infections by removing these fluids from around the mouth, nose, and throat area.
- IV pumps — Both units have IV pumps that can be used to help infuse drugs or give blood. IV pumps are also used to deliver fluids and electrolytes to patients who need them.
What Do SICU and ICU Nurses Do?
So, the differences and similarities are all clear between SICU and ICU. It’s time to understand the difference between the nurses of both units.
So if you’re a nurse who’s going through a hard time deciding which unit to choose, this section is mainly for you.
SICU Nurses
The sad truth is that there are many misconceptions about what it means to be a Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU) nurse. This is not surprising because the job description for this position is quite broad and varied. With that said, there are some core responsibilities that all SICU nurses share.
For starters, most people think of surgeons as the ones who treat patients who need surgery. However, it’s actually the job of an SICU nurse to help them recover from their operation safely and efficiently. As such, they spend most of their time assisting with patient care and monitoring them closely for any signs of trouble or illness.
In addition to providing direct care for patients, SICU nurses also work closely with other medical professionals involved in their care, such as physicians and surgeons. They relay information about patients back to them so they can make informed decisions regarding their treatment plan moving forward.
SICU Nurse Salary
An SICU nurse's salary varies depending on experience and location. In general, however, an SICU nurse can expect to earn between $144,816 per year.
ICU Nurses
An intensive care unit (ICU) nurse is responsible for providing direct patient care in a hospital's ICU. In addition to medical knowledge, an intensive care unit nurse needs strong communication skills and the ability to work well under pressure.
The job description of an ICU nurse varies depending on factors such as the size of the hospital, where it is located, and how busy it is. In some cases, an ICU nurse may be a float nurse who provides coverage for several different units within the hospital. Other times, an ICU nurse may be assigned to just one specific unit or floor. This type of assignment may allow them to develop stronger relationships with their patients as well as their colleagues.
Intensive care units are usually staffed by nurses who work in teams with other medical professionals, such as doctors and respiratory therapists (RTs).
The goal of a team is to provide high-quality care while keeping costs low by reducing mistakes that could lead to unnecessary tests or treatments that are more expensive than necessary.
The specific duties performed by an ICU nurse will depend on what type of patients they're taking care of at any given time, as well as their level of training and experience.
Shirley Sherman, Clinical Nurse Director Of Critical Care, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, stated, “When I worked on the floor,” Sherman continued, “ I would take blood pressure and measure urine outputs and provide any other care the patients needed because that would help me know how they were responding. "
This is not it; the key responsibilities of ICU include:
- Handling life-threatening conditions like sepsis, shock, trauma, and cardiac arrest.
- Performing invasive procedures like chest tubes and intubation.
- Assisting with noninvasive procedures such as blood draws and injections.
- Monitoring vital signs such as heart rate and blood pressure.
- Injecting medications into IVs and pumping up patients' veins to get IVs in place.
ICU Nurse Salary
On average, the salary of an ICU nurse is $129,369 per year. It is important to note that this number is only an average and the actual figures can vary significantly based on location, experience, and area of practice.
Last But Not The Least!
In conclusion, SICU and ICU have a lot of similarities, but they also have key differences. The most important thing to remember is that the best way to treat a patient is to choose the treatment option that best fits their individual needs.
While one patient may benefit from being in an ICU setting, another may need to be in an SICU instead. Either way, you must do your research and make sure your patient is getting exactly what they need!
